Sometimes one e-mail is worth a thousand ratings points

On any given weekend "News To Me" reaches an audience larger than the population of Houston, Texas (and you know that everything's bigger in Texas, even audiences). Even with a crowd like that watching, sometimes it takes one single e-mail to put things in true perspective.

Last weekend, we profiled a woman named Joy Nash who created and maintains the blog FatRant.com. That's her in the pic above! Joy is an actress and comedian who is proud of who she is, how she looks and how she makes others feel. On her blog she writes about being unashamed of her weight and tries to empower those who are self-conscious about their body.

Tuesday morning we received an e-mail from Joy. She wrote to tell us thanks for running her story and to pass on an e-mail she got from Tasha who lives in the little burg of Columbia City, Indiana. It read, in part:

"The other day I sat at my computer feeling sad and depressed, trying to search for websites that would inspire some self-confidence. Well to no avail I found nothing other than a whole bunch of size 4 women talking about what they do to 'make themselves feel better.' So I sat my fat butt in front of the TV and started to watch the news... A woman that looks just like me popped on the TV, with her "Fat Rant," talking about women's self esteem, feeling better about yourself and not letting weight hold you back.

... I have always heard, 'Tasha, you are so pretty. If only you could lose the weight.' Joy, its like you were an answered prayer. For 23 years I have struggled with getting out of bed to face the world with my fat self. Thank you so much for pushing me to believe that I am just as good as everyone else. I don't have to be a size 4 to feel good...

Thank you Joy for helping me believe in myself."

"News To Me" was only the messenger... we didn't answer her prayer but it sure does feel great to know that we brought the woman who DID into Tasha's living room.

For more info on Joy Nash and her very funny and obviously inspiring "Fat Rants" check out her blog at FatRant.com or look her up on MySpace!

If you missed the piece on last weekend's show you can watch it on CNN.com.

Who will we help to inspire next? Do me a favor and watch this weekend. Be sure to send us an e-mail if it turns out to be you!