keeping women connected - HERLIFE Magazine

herlife | welcome
It’s All About Hear t
photo by kermit hayes
for kermit hayes photography
Never a truer statement is to be made. Welcome to the month of February.
Traditionally a very cold month, it’s highlighted by a celebration of the
history of great men who have lead our country, a day that represents and
reminds us to acknowledge those we love, a month to honor great African-Americans
in history, and the month to pay attention to our heart health.
In this month’s issue of HERLIFE, you’ll get to know two amazing women—
actor Christy Lee Hughes, originally from the Capital Region, who is pursuing her
dream in Hollywood and is passionate about her craft; and Andréa Demirjian, a
graduate of Skidmore College, a writer, radio personality and an incredibly interesting
lady who shares with us the inside scoop on kissing. We also give you a detailed
glimpse into the passion that drives the UAlbany Executive MBA program, ranked
fourth in opportunities for women by The Princeton Review. And for all of us, but
even more importantly because it is the number-one killer for women, we learn
about what our local Chapter of the American Heart Association is doing to better
educate women on heart health.
My notes this month are dedicated to the many African-American women
in history who have overcome great obstacles to make a positive impact. A true
standout for me was Isabella Baumfree, born into slavery in New York’s Hudson
Valley, who after receiving her freedom changed her name to Sojourner Truth. She
dedicated her life to the anti-slavery movement and dictated her memoir, The Narrative
of Sojourner Truth: A Northern Slave. She was a mother who experienced her
son being sold illegally and escaped because she did not want her daughter to realize
the same fate. She courageously went to court and won custody of her son, hence
making history. She gave speeches all across New York State and the Northeast.
She endeavored not only to advocate for abolition, but also for women’s equality. As
a freed slave, she fought two battles—first to not be discriminated against because of the color of her skin, and secondly to not be discriminated
against because she was a woman.
She was courageous enough to stand and advocate for both sets of rights, delivering her well- received, now famous “Ain’t I a Woman?”
speech in 1851 at a women’s convention in Akron, Ohio.
Sojourner Truth had heart. She was courageous, passionate and determined. It is on her shoulders and those of many other great women in
history that I stand, and am extremely grateful. May we continue to pursue our passions with all of our heart and from HERLIFE, endeavor to
Keep Women Connected.
Respectfully,
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