Yes, Drake released a song saying he liked his girls “BBWs,” and Fetty Wap had us all saying how “slim-thick” we are with our cute asses. That is when I realized a movement was coming about. Plus-sized women were getting recognized for being who they are and nothing more.

Back in March, I was standing in line at Wal-Mart looking at the covers of magazines, and one of them really caught my attention. There were four women on the cover of Ebony Magazine. What was different about these women? They were plus-size! No, they were not being bashed for the way they look or how unhealthy being overweight is, nor were they in clothes that covered everything from head to toe. They were being praised for being beautiful and comfortable in their own skin while wearing military-themed outfits that embraced every curve that they were blessed with.

Currently, anyone who wears a size 12 and up is considered plus-size. Being a woman who fits in that category, I know how it feels to feel less worthy because women who look like you do not make it on the cover of magazines or are cast as the lead in movies unless the character is being characterized by her weight like we see in the movies “Precious” and “Phat Girlz.” For these reasons and more it is harder for thicker women to embrace who they were and reveal their confidence. Ebony showed me that the world’s way of thinking is changing slowly but surely.

More and more brands are using plus-size models to advertise their latest appeal. Beautiful, curvy models like Ashley Graham, who was on the cover of Maxim’s April 2016 issue. Robyn Lawley has also been modeling for Lauren by Ralph Lauren. The list goes on of women who have been able to model for brands without having to fit a standard of how they look as far as their weight is concerned. Just five to 10 years ago the same brands would not have given a plus-size model a second glance. Who do we have to thank for bringing about this turning point? Social media.

Selfies and hashtags such as “ThickGirlTwitter,” “BigGirlApprecationDay,” “ImNoAngel,” “PlusIsEqual,” and so many more have shown companies what the people really want -- more love for thicker women. Companies use social media to decide how to market. They build whole teams just to check the latest hashtags and trending topics. The more women talk positively about other women and continue to lift each other up, the more often women over that size-12 mark will be able to express themselves through the outlets of fashion, film, and music.

What are thick women doing with this new sense of pride that is starting to come out this summer? They are taking control of who they are. More and more women are embracing their bodies and wearing what they want to wear this summer. Even Forever 21’s newest swimwear for plus-size women seems to be a lot sexier than in past years because the company has realized that bigger women deserve to look and feel just as beautiful as the next woman. With all the newly found love for thicker women, that inner confidence that they have always had is able to be finally free.