“A nation is only as strong as its women”
Wisconsin Women of Color Network Health Conference
by Timothy Garrett
On March 8, approximately 50 women of different ethnic backgrounds and nationalities came together at Madison Area Technical College (MATC) Traux for the Wisconsin Women of Color Health Conference. The conference was organized and sponsored by the Wisconsin Women Of Color Network (WWOCN) in cooperation with the Wisconsin Well Woman Program (WWWP).
In her opening remarks, WWOCN President Rachelle Ashley, a Native American of the Shawnee tribe, stated a Cheyenne philosophy that “a nation is only as strong as its women. When the hearts of the women are on the ground, the hearts of our nation are on the ground. Then there’s nothing we can do but lift our women up.”
Gail D. Johnson, director of the WWWP, reminded everyone that March is also Women’s History Month. “To make history, make sure you are healthy. This is our health month,” Johnson said in her opening statement.
Participants chose from two different health-related activities, each of which was each offered twice during the day. “Qi Gong: The Chinese Art of Energy Healing” was led by Regina Cowell. “Live Stress Free and Love It” was presented by psychologist Dr. Lia Knox. Satyam Ayurvedic also gave massages to anyone who signed up, for one.
Qi Gong is thought of as Chinese yoga and as an art of energy healing. Said instructor Gina Cowell: “Qi Gong is the skill and art of moving the life force, otherwise known as Chi.” Qi Gong involves doing slow and fluid movements using mostly the upper body, especially the arms and hands. Inhaling and exhaling, which is good for the spine, is the focus of the exercises.”
Dr. Lia Knox
In an adjacent room, Dr. Lia Knox, who came here from Chicago, gave a very lively and engaging lecture on how to “Live Stress Free and Love It.”
“We cannot get rid of stress in our lives; it’s how we deal with it.” said Dr. Knox. “We need to be accepting things about ourselves.” Dr. Knox’s most important advice was that we make sure we are physically healthy. “Make sure to take care of yourself,” she said. “Get yourself checked out [by a doctor]. Get educated. Read about what’s going on with you and your body. Use the Internet.”
During her presentation, Knox suggested that women get more exercise, because “moving creates adrenaline. Exercising could be as simple as going for a walk or going to the gym,” she said. “And when one is moving, it can feel good.”
“Negative people can suck the life out of you,” Knox continued. “Get rid of negativity in your life, and surround yourself with positive people.” She gave an example: calling someone who may not share your enthusiasm over some personal good news. Instead of telling that negative person the good news, you could talk about other things, but then call a different friend who would share your excitement and be your “cheerleader.”
“Take care of yourself first.” said Dr. Knox. She went on to explain that sometimes we need to set limits and boundaries. We need to say, “No, I can’t do it” in a calm and even tone, without sounding mean or angry. It’s hard to say “No” to those we love and care about, she said, yet we shouldn’t feel obligated to do something when we really can’t do it or don’t feel like doing it.
Other advice from Dr. Knox:
• “Go after your dreams and goals. It’s not too late. Go back to school.” Get rid of that fear of succeeding or failing.
• Find a peaceful place to relax. Write things down. Keep a journal.
• Enjoy a girls’ or guys’ weekend. Get together with close friends and create fun things to do together.
• Ask or call others for help. Sometimes we need a shoulder to cry on.
• “Be a diva to yourself,” she said: “Diva means Divinely Inspired and Vivacious and Adored by all.” By this she meant: Make yourself look good to feel good. “It doesn’t have to cost a lot”: Thrift stores are wonderful places to find bargains on good clothes.
• “Have faith in something. It can be your saving grace. Keep that faith and hold onto it.”
• “Our lives are like cartoons. We should learn to laugh at ourselves and others. It’s the best medicine in the world.”
Tables with displays from various organizations were set up in a nearby hallway. Life Force International sells nutritional products made from sea vegetables and aloe vera.
The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure organization was there to provide handouts on breast cancer awareness. Even though the Komen Foundation is international, 75 percent of the funds Komen raises stay in the community for breast cancer support.
After lunch, a roundtable discussion began. Among the speakers was Catheryn Brue of the Division of Public Health’s Heart Disease and Stroke Program. Brue said that heart disease is the number-one killer of women and that strokes are the third leading cause of death in women. She encouraged the women to “empower ourselves with information and to take care of ourselves.” This includes exercising and especially being aware of one’s blood pressure numbers. To make sure that blood pressure readings are accurate, Brue said, the cuff of the blood pressure monitor should be in direct contact with the skin, not over a shirt sleeve. Attendees were also advised to be calm and relaxed when having their blood pressure taken. Masseuse Harsha Keister added that massage lowers stress level and blood pressure.
Ruth Benzie of the WWWP said, “We have helped over 53,000 Wisconsin women. Since June of 1994, we have provided screening services for breast and cervical cancer for uninsured women. Screening [for cancer] is provided for early detection and awareness. We are able to help people. We will do the best for any woman. Breast and cervical screening is a means to get treatment. No one should be afraid. We can get you services.”
Benzie also reminded participants that as women it is important to “take responsibility for our own bodies.”
After the event, Rachelle Ashley mentioned that WWOCN always puts on a health-related event in March to salute Women’s History Month. Usually the event is held in Milwaukee, but organizers opted to bring the conference to Madison this year. “It just so happens that they [MATC] offered, and we jumped on it,” she said.
“Given that it’s a cold day, it was a good turnout,” Ashley added. “I think it was a success.”
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