Curvaceous Cuties

No pressure. No judgments. Just women out on the town to build self-esteem and make friendships to last a lifetime.

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That's one of many goals of Curvaceous Cuties, a new Columbia County social club for "plus-size" women. Created by best friends Tomeka Porter-Few, of Martinez, and Lillian Tillman, of Augusta, the club hopes to build larger women's confidence and create a new definition of beauty, all while having a ball doing it.

"We started it for plus-size women, basically to empower plus-size women, because society puts so many labels on what beauty is and what they see as beauty and perfection," Porter-Few said. "We decided to start a women's social group that would allow plus-size women to have (a) voice."

Porter-Few and Tillman thought about starting a book club, but founded Curvaceous Cuties in September after deciding they wanted a group to suit all plus-size women.

The women say they want others to embrace their curves and their individuality.

In addition to girls' nights out every other week, the club takes periodic day trips and weekend getaways every few months. The club recently joined a member from Virginia for a trip to Virginia Beach.

The group has also held theme parties and even took part in private sensual dance lessons in a studio in Atlanta.

In the future, the members plan to go to Savannah, Ga., and Charleston, S.C., and take in a Broadway show in New York City, Porter-Few said.

"Most of the women in the group have children and or husbands, and it's me time, getaway and me time," she said.

Though membership is limited to women 21 and older, Tillman said the group wants to eventually add activities or a scholarship for plus-size teens to boost their confidence.

"We've always been the outcasts of society," she said. "We're bigger, and people look at us (differently). We don't get to be in regular fashion shows or participate in modeling contests."

She said Curvaceous Cuties is a place "where we can all get together, for women who don't have the confidence to say, 'You know, I'm tired of being the minority. I'm ready to be the majority.'"

Membership in Curvaceous Cuties costs $25, plus $10 per month.

"Anyone who wants to have fun, try new things and meet new people, that's what we're all about," Tillman said.

For more information, visit their Web site, www.curvaceouscuties.org.