Carolyn Evelyn Goldner Hemenway

I last spoke to Carrie a couple of months ago, when we remarked on the fact that we were both born in July, 1941, and both were still alive and kickin´! We have a long history in size acceptance, first in the NAAFA organization, and later when she and I were among seven co-founding directors, in 1991, of the CSWD (Council on Size & Weight Discrimination), of which she still served as a director. Carrie was one of the nicest people I have ever known in the size acceptance movement! I am...

I first met Carrie somewhere in the 1980s when she was around Boston where I lived. I knew her through fat liberation work and appreciated her strength of spirit and kindness She said "Feel the fear and do it anyway." That has been a wonderful mantra for me throughout my life. I'm sorry for your loss. I hope your memories of her bring big smiles and some belly laughs .

Pat. Just found out about the loss of your sister Carrie. My sincere condolences. I´ll always remember her. A great neighbor and friend. I´ll never forget when she wrote in chalk on the brick wall in the front of our house. It´s still there. She always had a smile. So sorry. Richard Naples

Carrie brought me into fat feminist activist conferences she organized in the nineties in ways that opened powerful paths for my life and my writing. She successfully worked for years to get NOW to include size in their anti discrimination policies. She was joyful, fun, and generous in her organizing. She was also a brave and committed friend. I send my deepest sympathies to her family and all those close to her who are mourning this loss.

Carrie was a bright light for me in my earliest days at Smith, 1980s and 90s, the height of the lycra-exercise-until-you-drop and starve yourself in the meantime days. She came to many of my health classes to help me educate students on the immense damage done by dieting and weight loss programs, and rigid body shape standards. A true counter-culture revolutionary, she educated with compassion and grace. Her good will was motivational and infectious, and the waves of her abundant life...

Thor, Cass, and Eliza, and beloved grandchildren I thought of Carrie several times this past week. Now I´m thinking she was visiting with me as she made her journey back home. Loved her dearly and will always remember her fondly. May her memory be for a blessing. this obituary was perfect and described her person and her life beautifully.

One of my fondest memories of Carrie is when we dressed up in fancy hats and dress gloves and slinky dresses and paraded around downtown Northampton as Ladies Against Women, doing feminist street theater and handing out citizen's arrest warrants. This was in the Phyllis Shlafley era, when we actually thought we would pass the Equal Rights Amendment. Carrie came up with the best ways to stand up to every injustice, with humor, love, commitment, creativity, and community. Cassandra, Eliza,...

To everyone who wants to know more about a celebration of life for Carrie in coming months. Please email [email protected] to stay in the loop.

I always enjoyed running into Carrie whose smile lit everything up around her. We met many years ago through our work together at The Valley Women's Center and the Valley Women's union where her opinions and remarks were so valuable. I am so very sorry for your loss. May her name be a blessing. May she rest in peace. Judi Fonsh