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2 ND Chance International Women of Distinction<br />
MAGAZINE<br />
Fight against Breast<br />
Cancer…<br />
Awareness across<br />
Africa!<br />
Juliette Lutterodt<br />
WOMEN<br />
Women & Drug<br />
Addiction!!!<br />
Dr. Cureton<br />
The Future of<br />
Women in Politics!<br />
Council Woman<br />
Debi Rose
Mission<br />
Our mission is to use a unique globally<br />
respected award and recognition platform,<br />
the power of the internet, as well as print<br />
media (such as periodical publications and<br />
newsletters) to bring attention to all issues<br />
that affect women and young girls<br />
worldwide. To expose issues and highlight<br />
successes of women in areas of business,<br />
family, sexuality, faith, religion, politics,<br />
health, law, and philanthropy, etc.;<br />
irrespective of national origin, religious<br />
affiliation, political affiliations, nationality,<br />
creed, belief, world view, or socio-economic<br />
Vision<br />
Our vision is to inform the world<br />
of all areas in society that affect<br />
the existence and survival of<br />
women and girls. To create a<br />
platform not only to identify<br />
critical issues, but<br />
to also provide resolution through<br />
actions, advocacy, awareness,<br />
intervention, and dialogue. To<br />
sustain a platform that elevates<br />
women and spread awareness about<br />
issues that affect them. To shine<br />
Light on the efforts, gifts, passions,<br />
and resources individual women<br />
and women lead organizations are<br />
using to improve the lives of their<br />
fellow man.<br />
Objectives<br />
To ensure that our message is presented on a global media platform that will allow<br />
the voices of all women to be heard regardless of how geographically or politically<br />
remote those voices are. To foster and enhance networking amongst women on a<br />
global scale.
A graduate of Curtis High School and<br />
Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids,<br />
Mich., she holds a doctoral degree and is<br />
a credentialed alcohol and substance<br />
abuse counselor (CASAC) and an<br />
international certified alcohol and drug<br />
counselor (ICADC).<br />
She is also an ordained deacon, serving<br />
with her husband, Tracy, at Mount Sinai<br />
United Christian Church in Tompkinsville.<br />
Known affectionately around the building<br />
as "Dr. C," Phyllis Cureton has been a<br />
Staten Islander since the age of 10 and<br />
lives in Mariners Harbor, not too far from<br />
the facility she runs.<br />
<br />
Dr. Cureton explained to Emmanuel R.<br />
Wheagar, CEO of the 2nd Chance Women of<br />
Distinction <strong>Magazine</strong> the magnitude of work and<br />
the direct involvement of President Barrack<br />
Obama as she shares teleconference notes with<br />
him. “He is very involved”, she stressed.<br />
.4<br />
<br />
Dr. Phyllis Cureton<br />
There have been 75 drug<br />
overdose deaths on Staten Island<br />
this year alone according to<br />
District Attorney Michael E.<br />
McMahon's office; that’s 7 more<br />
overdose deaths than was<br />
reported in all of 2015.<br />
Dr. Cureton is in the full front of<br />
this battle as she handles daily<br />
intakes at Samaritan Daytop<br />
Village, the drug and alcohol<br />
treatment facility in Mariners<br />
Harbor, Staten Island, New York.<br />
“The staff works with about 100<br />
clients at a time, but the door is<br />
always open for more”, she<br />
stressed.<br />
<br />
Dr. Cureton gave our staff a tour<br />
of her “State of the Arts” facility<br />
that encompasses several<br />
functional rooms and recreational<br />
center designed to provide<br />
maximum support and treatment.<br />
We were introduced to her team<br />
which includes a Medical Doctor,<br />
Psychologists, Social Workers,<br />
licensed Drug Counselors, and<br />
interns.<br />
Heroin and opioid addicts; as<br />
young as 12 and old as 76 have<br />
sat across from Cureton, a<br />
witness every day to Staten<br />
Island's raging drug epidemic.<br />
Strengthened by a recent merger<br />
with the Samaritan Village<br />
network, today's Daytop is<br />
attacking the epidemic head-on.<br />
In addition to drug and alcohol<br />
treatment, the center offers<br />
programs in anger management,<br />
parenting,<br />
vocational<br />
assessment, relapse prevention,<br />
relapse recovery, cognitive<br />
behavioral therapy as well as<br />
dialectical behavior therapy which<br />
address borderline personality<br />
disorder. The organization runs<br />
more than 50 programs in the<br />
New York City area serving<br />
veterans, families, the homeless,<br />
the elderly and those struggling<br />
with addiction. 4
Women on Drugs<br />
Dr. Cureton treats both Men and<br />
Women at Daytop Samaritan<br />
Village but she will be the first to<br />
point out that women are more<br />
susceptible to the devastating<br />
effects of drug abuse than men.<br />
According to the American Society<br />
of Addiction Medicine (ASAM),<br />
Women are more likely to have<br />
chronic pain, be prescribed<br />
prescription pain relievers, be<br />
given higher doses, and use them<br />
for longer time periods than men.<br />
Women may become dependent<br />
on prescription pain relievers more<br />
quickly than men.<br />
48,000 women died of prescription<br />
pain reliever overdoses between<br />
1999 and 2010 and the numbers<br />
increased yearly.<br />
Cureton and her dedicated team of professionals are working tirelessly daily to ensure that the high<br />
mortality rate due to drug overdose in Staten Island is curved. According to Kevin Moran, a funeral<br />
director at the John Vincent Scalia Home for Funerals on Staten Island, wakes for young overdose<br />
victims bring in crowds and the rate of these deaths are surprisingly rising at a scary pace.<br />
According to the National Institute<br />
on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Women<br />
can respond to substances<br />
differently. For example, they may<br />
have more drug cravings and may<br />
be more likely to relapse after<br />
treatment. This could be affected<br />
by a woman’s menstrual cycle.<br />
Sex hormones can make women<br />
more sensitive than men to the<br />
effects of some drugs.<br />
Women who use drugs may also<br />
experience more physical effects<br />
on their heart and blood vessels.<br />
Brain changes in women who use<br />
drugs can be different from those<br />
in men.<br />
Women may be more likely to go<br />
to the emergency room or die from<br />
overdose or other effects of certain<br />
substances.<br />
Women who are victims of<br />
domestic violence are at increased<br />
risk of substance use.<br />
5
Women Leading<br />
Education<br />
Dr. Reiss began her career<br />
as a Physical Education<br />
teacher in Harlem in 1975.<br />
After participating in the<br />
Urban Teacher Corps<br />
program at City College I<br />
decided to pursue a<br />
pathway to Leadership<br />
receiving a Professional<br />
Degree in Administration<br />
and Supervision from<br />
Queens College.<br />
At this time I became very<br />
active in Women’s Rights as<br />
well as the rights of<br />
children of color. I<br />
dedicated my entire<br />
teaching career to the<br />
rights of inclusiveness<br />
for all children as well<br />
as special needs<br />
students. In 2004 after<br />
27 years of serving<br />
Manhattan and<br />
Brooklyn High Schools, I<br />
became the Region 10<br />
Director of Health and<br />
Fitness in the Department of<br />
Education.<br />
After the Regional positions<br />
expired I returned to<br />
Harlem as the Health and<br />
Wellness Coach at<br />
Mahalia Jackson, P.S. 123 a<br />
Pre-K to 8 schools. I<br />
completed my Ph.D. in K-12<br />
Leadership in 2009. I also<br />
completed The Emerging<br />
Leaders Program and The<br />
Principal’s Candidate Pool<br />
program at the NYC DOE. I<br />
became a Charter School<br />
developer in 2006 while<br />
working in Region 10, and at<br />
that time I decided to focus<br />
on the needs of children of<br />
color living in Staten Island.<br />
I have met up with much<br />
resistance and I have been<br />
fighting the New York State<br />
Education Department as<br />
well as The New York City<br />
Department of Education to<br />
get the Staten Island Green<br />
Charter School opened in<br />
September 2017.<br />
We are in the center of a<br />
political struggle, but I am<br />
certain that persistence<br />
from the community leaders<br />
as well as parents and<br />
community members will<br />
get our school approved. My<br />
struggle is not about one<br />
person, but what is fair and<br />
just for our community. To<br />
this end, I will endure this<br />
fight until we all win<br />
together.
Lindora Korlu Howard<br />
-Diawara<br />
Founder and Executive<br />
Director of B4P CODEFOUND<br />
Dear Readers, it is such a great<br />
honor for me to use this<br />
medium to share with you<br />
information about myself, and<br />
what drives me to do the things<br />
that I do on a daily basis. While<br />
I appreciate this opportunity, I<br />
also look forward to meeting<br />
many other extraordinary<br />
people, including other women<br />
whose voices are being<br />
amplified through this<br />
1 st edition of 2nd Chance’s<br />
International Women of<br />
Distinction <strong>Magazine</strong>.<br />
I am a proud Liberian, and I<br />
have been happily married for<br />
10 years. I am a mother of three<br />
children-two beautiful girls and<br />
a handsome boy. I experienced<br />
the Liberian civil war at the age<br />
of 13; became a peace activist<br />
at age 21, and became more of<br />
a women’s rights and peace<br />
activist at age 25. Working and<br />
promoting peace in Liberia has<br />
been enriching and fulfilling,<br />
and I’d like to do more.<br />
My inspiration for change<br />
comes from the stories of<br />
community members<br />
specifically women and girls<br />
who possess so much potential<br />
for personal development and<br />
change within their homes,<br />
communities, and society at<br />
large, but who need partners to<br />
walk with. Partners who can<br />
bring them to realize that they<br />
can be more than who they<br />
believe they are. I am inspired<br />
by real life stories of<br />
determination. Stories that not<br />
only reflect the shifts<br />
individuals make from victimhood<br />
to Agency, but also those<br />
that reflect the dignity of the<br />
human person. I am also<br />
inspired by the resilience of<br />
mothers and daughters of<br />
Liberia who still find the<br />
courage and strength to rise<br />
every time they fall.<br />
With nearly 15 years of<br />
professional experience in the<br />
fields of Peacebuilding and<br />
development, I have helped to<br />
facilitate and build the<br />
capacities of hundreds of<br />
children, students, teachers,<br />
women and girls in peace<br />
education and conflict<br />
prevention at the community<br />
level. I have also supported<br />
civil society capacity building<br />
and development on issues of<br />
gender, Peacebuilding, human<br />
rights, and democracy as well<br />
as on organizational leadership<br />
and development. Additionally,<br />
I contributed to building and<br />
sustaining the Liberian<br />
Women’s Peace Movement, a<br />
Peace Advocacy Campaign led<br />
by the Women in Peace<br />
Building Network (WIPNET);<br />
a program of the West Africa<br />
Network for Peace Building<br />
(WANEP-Liberia) from 2002<br />
to 2011.<br />
I have had the opportunity to<br />
travel extensively in Africa,<br />
Europe, and the United States<br />
of America. Such experiences<br />
helped shape my understanding<br />
of women’s plight and change<br />
initiatives amongst others.<br />
Another benefit I now enjoy<br />
includes the development of<br />
cross-cultural competencies<br />
indispensable for peace<br />
building, shaped my work with<br />
local, national, regional and<br />
international organizations. I<br />
now have a strong network of<br />
well-meaning Liberians and<br />
non-Liberians working in the<br />
civil society sector, government<br />
and the private sector.<br />
As a social entrepreneur, I<br />
recently established the<br />
Business for Peace Community<br />
Development Foundation with<br />
acronym B4P CODEFOUND.<br />
The Foundation will turn one<br />
year old on December 30,<br />
2016, and its goal is to<br />
facilitate, accompany and<br />
support local capacities for<br />
community cooperation geared<br />
towards promoting peace<br />
building and economic<br />
development. Two of our core<br />
strategies include (1) the<br />
promotion of gender equality<br />
and women empowerment and<br />
(2) Philanthropy. Our primary<br />
targets are Liberian Women<br />
and girls in Liberia and the<br />
Diaspora.<br />
For more information about<br />
B4P CODEFOUND, and how<br />
you could support our<br />
initiatives, please contact me<br />
@ management@b4pcodefoun<br />
d.org or on phone number: 301-<br />
2756443. Please visit us<br />
at www.b4pcodefound.org.<br />
8
Matu Saye<br />
Gospel Artist<br />
Song bird Matu Saye is a<br />
Singer, Song Writer & Gospel<br />
Recording Artist.<br />
She’s a Social Entrepreneur<br />
and IT professional. The artist<br />
has two Recordings projects<br />
under her belt including<br />
“Complete me released in<br />
1999 and “Let There be Light”<br />
in 2013. Her globally<br />
contagious sound and style of<br />
worship encompasses a<br />
rhythmic blend of blues,<br />
Contemporary Christian,<br />
Ballad, and Gospel.<br />
For bookings:<br />
Call (215) 667-0702
Achieving success—<br />
whether in government,<br />
business or the nonprofit<br />
worlds—means dreaming<br />
and taking risks. It took me<br />
three tries to win a seat on<br />
the City Council. But with<br />
hard work and<br />
perseverance, here I am<br />
today, serving my second<br />
term as a New York City<br />
Councilwoman.<br />
Next year, we will<br />
celebrate the centennial of<br />
women securing the right<br />
to vote in the state of New<br />
York, as well as the<br />
100 th anniversary of the<br />
first woman to take office<br />
in the U.S. Congress.<br />
Even in my generation,<br />
many women were not<br />
encouraged to go to<br />
college, let alone hold<br />
public office. But many of<br />
us did not listen!<br />
While I’m proud of the<br />
great strides we have made<br />
in recent decades, too often<br />
I look around and realize<br />
I’m one of few women<br />
elected officials in the<br />
room. This needs to<br />
change. We have more<br />
work to do. I tell my story<br />
to young women all the<br />
time, in the hopes that<br />
they, too, will dream, take<br />
risks and achieve.<br />
To young women reading<br />
this, I hope you draw some<br />
inspiration to deepen your<br />
civic engagement. Much of<br />
my job as councilwoman<br />
involves taking care of our<br />
neighborhoods, and I know<br />
you care about your<br />
neighborhood, too. So if<br />
you want to help make<br />
your neighborhood – and<br />
our city – a better place to<br />
live, you might make a<br />
good candidate for public<br />
office someday!<br />
In the meantime, network<br />
with women in the field<br />
you aspire to, become<br />
more involved in your<br />
communities, and never<br />
stop advocating for a better<br />
world for all of us!<br />
D
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Vera Tolbert; 2015 recipient of the 2 nd Chance International<br />
Women of Distinction Awards is a Ph.D. graduate with records<br />
of success in clinical and research laboratory supervisory and<br />
management roles. Tolbert has published up to a dozen<br />
publications, published presentations and abstracts.<br />
As Senior Policy Research Analyst at Independence Blue Cross,<br />
Vera conducts research evaluations on new and emerging<br />
medical devices, drugs, biologicals and procedures, safety and<br />
efficacy, while ensuring the integrity of sound research design<br />
and analytical methods. She drafts technology assessments<br />
reports in accordance with internal department policies and<br />
procedures, summarizes and interprets results of research<br />
findings as her contribution to the field of medical research.<br />
Scientist &<br />
Research<br />
Sp ecialist<br />
At Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich; Munich,<br />
Germany, she supervised the infectious disease laboratory<br />
division, department of Gynecology, at the university’s teaching<br />
hospital. She conducted molecular, biological, and<br />
immunological analysis. Coordinated research projects on<br />
polymorphisms of cytokine genes. Supervised and managed the<br />
clinical and research laboratory. Monitored and analyzed<br />
research projects of over twenty medical students. Tolbert<br />
trained students in laboratory skills and development of new<br />
approaches necessary to design effective programs. Identified<br />
and addressed all problems, organizational, budget related, and<br />
technical.<br />
Dr. Vera Tolbert<br />
Organized and participated in laboratory courses for private<br />
doctors and medical scientists, and national and international<br />
scientific conferences; prepared laboratory courses, gave<br />
presentations, and provided technical assistance.<br />
At WEILL CORNELL MEDICAL COLLEGE – New York, NY,<br />
Tolbert served as Senior Research Specialist where she<br />
supervised laboratory testing of clinical samples; coordinated,<br />
and participated in research projects at all levels. Conducted<br />
quality control to meet state regulations and contributed to the<br />
preparation of scientific papers. Major accomplishments<br />
included the improvement of laboratory working conditions and<br />
increased turnover time.<br />
Advice to young girls: This previously male dominated<br />
discipline has been made achievable by women of color;<br />
emulating examples set by Tolbert and other females leading<br />
medical research. “Always follow your dreams and stop at<br />
nothing until they are realized”.<br />
13
Africa’s First<br />
Female Head of State<br />
Liberia’s President - Ellen Johnson Sirleaf<br />
14
Sirleaf is the first elected female head of<br />
state in Africa. Born on October 29, 1938,<br />
Madame Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is the 24th and<br />
current President of Liberia, in office since<br />
2006.<br />
After a 14-year war and removal of warlord<br />
turned President Charles Taylor, Ellen Johnson<br />
Sirleaf won the 2005 presidential election and<br />
took office on January 16, 2006. After her first<br />
6-year term, Sirleaf re-elected in 2011.<br />
Before her election, Sirleaf served as Minister<br />
of Finance under President William<br />
Tolbert from 1979 until the 1980 coup d'état,<br />
after which she left Liberia and held senior<br />
positions at various financial institutions. She<br />
placed second in the 1997 presidential<br />
election won by Charles Taylor.<br />
Sirleaf was jointly awarded the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize with Leymah Gbowee of Liberia<br />
and Tawakkol Karman of Yemen. The women were recognized for their non-violent<br />
struggle for the safety of women and for women's rights to full participation in peacebuilding<br />
work. In June 2016, she was elected as Chair of the Economic Community of West<br />
African States, making her the first woman to occupy that position since it was formed. The<br />
country’s general election will be held in 2017; which will end her 12-year; two-term reign<br />
of the African nation.<br />
Gaining its independence on July 26, 1847, Liberia is Africa’s first republic. Liberia was<br />
founded by freed slaves from America in 1822 in an effort of the American Colonization<br />
Society (ACS) to resettle freed American slaves in West Africa. ACS contended that the<br />
emigration of blacks to Africa was an answer to the problem of slavery and the<br />
incompatibility of the races.
This column explores the ever-evolving challenges,<br />
views/perspectives, and lives of women. From Eve, in the Garden<br />
of Eden, to today, the journey from girlhood to womanhood is<br />
indeed, an extraordinary one! Women: Love, Religion and Politics<br />
explore historical facts and modern day perspectives of the<br />
remarkable achievements of women, their effect on the world, in<br />
relationships, family, community and government. Their challenges<br />
and landmarks throughout history, from Biblical times, to wars in the<br />
new common era, from nation-building and leadership,<br />
entrepreneurship endeavors, to home and family matters, distinctive<br />
women have made their mark on the world as we know it.<br />
Women of power and authority are often plagued with difficulty, crisis,<br />
scandal<br />
and even inner turmoil. From the day of Roman rule to those of Margaret<br />
Thatcher, women have always had a place of significance in love, religion and politics. Women are<br />
routinely thought of as homemakers without giving thought to Joan of Arc, Mary the Mother of Jesus,<br />
Queen Victoria and The Queen of Sheba. Our foremothers are, in fact, women of power, authority<br />
and distinction. Yet, for many their notary may b e better be termed infamy. Margaret Thatcher for all<br />
her strength, dignity and grace was also referred to the Iron Lady. Joan of Arc a saint but also burned<br />
at the stake. Even in our current dispensation women continue to struggle to successfully exist<br />
between two worlds one dominated by their heart and cultural expectations the other their drive and<br />
determination to live life on their own terms.<br />
Every year in the month of March we celebrate Women’s History Month. As women, however, we<br />
need to go from celebrating who we are and highlighting our accomplishments once a year to taking<br />
every opportunity and when necessary making the opportunity to let who we are be made known. We<br />
are mothers, daughters, sisters, cousins, aunties, and friends. But we are also more. We are CEO’s,<br />
executive directors, COO’s, CFO’s, business owners, doctors, lawyers, professors, heads of state<br />
and policymakers, church leaders and Bishops. We are movers and shakers. We are Women! We<br />
continue to strive to find what many have deemed impossible; balance. This journey begins here.<br />
Where ever you may find yourself as a woman; whether you work in the mailroom or the boardroom.<br />
If you are married, single, divorced or wish you were anywhere in the world rather than where you<br />
find yourself reading this article. Our foremother once found themselves in impossible situations<br />
oddest impossible odds. This column will explore their journeys and how they overcame and that<br />
through their stories you will have renewed hope, inspiration and passion for your own journey.<br />
Women: Love, Religion and Politics is written by Minister Maisha Surgeon; A graduate of Moravian<br />
Theological Seminary with a Masters in Pastoral Counseling. Minister Surgeon has worked for the<br />
last decade in issues of social justice on the behalf of juvenile offenders. She is passionate and<br />
driven that the voice of women must not only be heard on issues of social justice but that the voices<br />
of women must make a difference in the home, the community, and our country and across the globe.
CareHeart Africa provides relief items, medicine,<br />
food, and clothes to Orphans of deceased Ebola<br />
Victims. The organization’s Mission is to provide<br />
relief to the poor and forgotten. The organization<br />
serve current victims and future generations of the<br />
kids of Liberia through disease prevention,<br />
education, economic strengthening, while<br />
promoting physical, spiritual and emotional health.<br />
“When I visited this school in Peters town,<br />
District #2b Grand Bassa County & seen how the<br />
classes were set up, tears ran down my cheeks.<br />
These children are eager to learn, but no help.<br />
When rain falls heavily, classes get canceled. They<br />
are in desperate need of help, she explained. We<br />
are constantly seeking individuals and organization<br />
to partner and join us in this fight.<br />
Founder and Executive Director of CareHeart Africa; Mrs. Oretha Bestman<br />
Yates recognized by the 2 nd Chance International Women of Distinction Awards<br />
for Outstanding Service to Humanity.<br />
Please visit us, make a donation or leave a<br />
comment on our website or like us on<br />
Facebook.<br />
Website: www.careheartafrica.org
Juliette Mills Lutterodt<br />
Champions Breast Cancer<br />
Awareness in Africa<br />
Mrs. Juliette Mills-Lutterodt, is a mother, wife, and<br />
director of a group of her own companies. For her,<br />
striving for success is standard, but impacting the world is<br />
her greatest desire as is evident with her products and<br />
services.<br />
After surviving breast cancer and chemotherapy<br />
treatments, Juliette Mills-Lutterodt, an industrious<br />
personality has redefined innovation and ambition to<br />
keep raising the bar as a self-made successful<br />
businesswoman. She is an entrepreneur as well as a<br />
hairstylist whose inauguration of her own brand name has<br />
changed the way the world reckons the act of survival.<br />
Her Jul’s Collection label, an idea which was inspired by<br />
her chemotherapy treatment, manufactures exquisite<br />
looking Italian leather Handbags with a blend of a multicultural<br />
look and feel to them. A percentage of all<br />
proceeds from the handbags go towards her breast<br />
cancer foundation, Pink for Africa. The foundation creates<br />
public awareness and educates women on risk factors,<br />
symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, support systems, the<br />
stigma attached to this disease and the need for a<br />
positive attitude.<br />
Mrs. Mills-Lutterodt works on average 10 hours a<br />
week, and more if required due to upcoming events<br />
for Pink for Africa. She is the Director for Pink for<br />
Africa, the visionary and overseer of the<br />
organization. She presides over all meetings of the<br />
Board of Directors.
Our Mission<br />
The Mission of Pink for Africa (PFA) is to provide breast cancer<br />
awareness, education and support to women of African descent in<br />
Africa and the US and in the process, tear down cultural and social<br />
mores, in order to improve outcomes for women of African descent.<br />
Studies have shown that a disproportionate number of women who<br />
develop breast cancer in Africa fail to report to their doctor due to<br />
economic, cultural and social mores, or do not even known how to<br />
conduct a monthly self-breast examination. Further research has also<br />
found a predominant aggressive triple negative breast cancer gene<br />
among African women diagnosed with breast cancer.<br />
“Pink For Africa” will start its mission of awareness, education &<br />
support to women in Ghana and eventually spread to other African<br />
countries. Our goal is to empower African women through early<br />
detection and to help eradicate the stigma of breast cancer among<br />
African women.<br />
Our immediate objective is to raise funds for breast cancer<br />
awareness and education in Africa, among women from age 12 to 99-<br />
One Woman at a Time. This will be achieved through the<br />
dissemination of breast self-examination pamphlets, financial<br />
assistance to women in need of mammograms and through Pink for<br />
Africa public speaking engagements. Through the internet and social<br />
media, Pink for Africa will educate women about their breast health<br />
by providing information about breast health, risks, screening,<br />
nutrition and more, as well as ideas on how to create dialogue to<br />
break down cultural, social, economic barriers and mores.<br />
Contact us/ donate: www.pinkforafrica.org<br />
,https://www.facebook.com/PinkForAfrica/ ,<br />
https://twitter.com/pinkforafrica
The Ward Educational Fund<br />
Programs/Projects:<br />
‣ Women in Natural Science (WINS)<br />
‣ Scholarships and Internships<br />
‣ Ward Academy<br />
‣ Chemistry Resource Center<br />
‣ MentorSciNet<br />
‣ Girls Empowered through Mentorships (GEMS)<br />
‣ Youth Vacation Internships<br />
WINS PROGRAM<br />
The Women in Natural Science (WINS) Program is an<br />
exciting program that empowers young women to<br />
become leaders and productive citizens through the<br />
power of science education. Young women with a<br />
major in Chemistry have established a project whereby<br />
they make visits to three high schools in Monrovia,<br />
Liberia and meet with girls in grades 9th to 12th to<br />
assist them with science home assignments; to talk to<br />
them about careers in science; and to distribute<br />
educational aids provided by the Ward Fund, including<br />
notebooks, pens, pencils, etc. The university young<br />
women receive a small annual stipend to help with<br />
transportation and lunch.<br />
SCHOLARSHIPS AND INTERNSHIPS<br />
The Ward Fund provides scholarships to students<br />
pursuing a degree in Chemistry. Students receive full<br />
or partial scholarships depending on their needs and<br />
their ability to maintain a certain Grade Point Average.<br />
Internships are provided for first year graduates from the Department of Chemistry to help them<br />
make the transition into the world of work. The interns return to the university campus to provide<br />
tutoring services to students who are scoring below a passing grade in chemistry.<br />
WARD ACADEMY<br />
The Ward Academy hosts two programs: The Ward Academy of Science and Technology for Girls and<br />
the Ward Early Education Program for Children between the ages of 1 and 5. The Early Education<br />
Program serves as a feeder to our Academy for Girls. The children receive an early introduction to<br />
language, numbers, computer technology and science. They participate in computer classes where<br />
they use laptops to view the letters of the alphabet on the monitor and through educational CD’s and<br />
DVD’s they learn words, songs and numbers.<br />
THE VICTOR E. WARD CHEMISTRY RESOURCE<br />
CENTER<br />
The Resource Center is located on the Fendall Campus of the<br />
University of Liberia. Educational Aids including textbooks,<br />
scientific calculators, internet access and other supplies are<br />
provided for students who are pursuing a degree in chemistry at<br />
the University of Liberia. Through this program The Ward Fund<br />
assists the Chemistry Department by providing chemistry lab<br />
supplies and equipment on a loan basis. We also provide<br />
notebooks and other supplies to chemistry majors at a discounted price. Chemistry students can<br />
utilize the resources in the room to help write papers, do research on the internet and read current<br />
magazines on topics of interest to chemists. Students and professors attend lecture series on topics<br />
in chemistry.<br />
We accept donations of books, chemistry journals, lab supplies and Texas Instrument calculators. To<br />
make a donation, contact us at wardfund@hotmail.com.
Seven years ago a<br />
woman set out to<br />
travel to Liberia,<br />
West Africa, alone, never having really traveled outside of the United States.<br />
She had with her, two large suitcases filled with supplies for orphanages and a<br />
humble amount of finances. She was a mother, a wife, a licensed minister and<br />
someone with a sincere heart for the needy. LaTonya McRae is the Founder<br />
and Executive Director of Tree of Life Ministries, Inc. Her motto has always<br />
been “At some point you have to stop thinking about doing something and<br />
actually start doing something”.<br />
It was early 2010 when LaTonya discovered the huge overhead and large salaries that popular charities and NGOs had. She learned that<br />
only a tiny portion of her hard earned money and consistent contributions were actually getting to the poor, the hungry, the orphaned,<br />
the homeless, the disaster stricken, and the war-torn. This compelled her to personally deliver her resources, funds and gifts. Now she<br />
delivers for others too. She has been faithful to document by pictures, letters and on social media to those who support the mission<br />
efforts so that they can see their contributions in action – boots on the ground.<br />
LaTonya McRae is the beloved “Sis. Decontee” of Liberia who has just completed her seventh mission tour there. Her organization,<br />
Tree of Life, conducts outreaches and programs that include food and clothing for the poor, as well as other basic needs, such as<br />
first aide, school supplies, lights, and more. She and her small team (who cover their own expenses) travel into the interior (bush) areas<br />
as well as the communities in Monrovia. This year they have covered, Gbarnga in Bong County, Boystown in Margibi County,<br />
Buchanan in Grand Bassa County, and Virginia District of Montserrado County just to name a few.<br />
LaTonya has entered into Liberia at the heart of the Ebola crisis when many were too fearful to provide support or presence. Knowing<br />
how easily supplies could “get lost” she was determined to make sure Tree of Life items reached the interior and other regions that<br />
were not receiving government help or support donated from large NGOs. Ebola aide was extended to Doru District of Nimba County<br />
as well as greater Monrovia areas.<br />
While many ministry activities take place here in the United States, for Liberia, within the past three months alone, Tree of Life has<br />
transported over 500 copy books (composition notebooks) and pens and pencil sets, numerous amounts of brand new shoes and clothes,<br />
and over 2,000 pounds of food for mission efforts. Dr. McRae has been to many churches of all denominations to teach, preach and<br />
minister in various ways. She has never visited a church empty-handed and never left with an offering, strongly holding to the premise<br />
that it is better to give than to receive. All this while building a place in Liberia from her own humble earnings called “Mission House”<br />
that will host classes, events and programs, house more supplies, and provide lodging for international volunteers.<br />
Domestically, Tree of Life holds a Wells Fargo Community Connections award and hosts a small Food Bank in Freehold, New Jersey at a<br />
local church where her husband, Rev. Stephen McRae is the pastor. Tree of Life conducts various types of community and ministry events.<br />
One in particular, PHD Women’s Retreat (Prayer-Healing- Deliverance) is going on its fourteenth year in the USA and has just completed a<br />
second year in Liberia, which the attendees have eagerly and earnestly requested it take place annually. Tree of Life International Ministries<br />
also gives out Mission Honors at a unique black-tie affair called the Mission Honors Gala.<br />
On a more personal level, LaTonya McRae is an ordained elder, a youth leader, great teacher and<br />
motivational speaker. She is a long time Clinical Member of the National Christian Counseling<br />
Association (certified) who has also earned a Doctor of Theology and Master of Religious Education. She<br />
sees her approach to missions as unconventional but very effective, where you get the most “bang for your<br />
buck”. When it comes to doing mission work, she always says, “It’s very serious, but it’s not that<br />
complicated”.<br />
For more information, visit their website TREEOFLIFE4U.ORG, or the Facebook group<br />
“Tree of Life Mission”. LaTonya McRae is on Facebook herself as “On a Mission”.
Kenvee<br />
Adams<br />
International Gospel Artist and Aspiring Politician
Amb. Kanvee Adams is an aspirant<br />
for the House of Representative<br />
elections 2017 Republic of Liberia,<br />
gospel recording artist, Pan African<br />
KORA Awards Good Will<br />
Ambassador to Liberia on the fight<br />
against Ebola, Charity Ambassador<br />
in Liberia, and multiples awards<br />
winners in and out of Liberia<br />
including, the USA and UK. Amb.<br />
Kanvee Adams is married with three<br />
beautiful girls.<br />
Advice to Young Women<br />
I encourage young girls/ladies to be<br />
focus, strong, persistence and move<br />
forward with their plans to a better<br />
future.<br />
Contact:<br />
Amb. Kanvee G. Adams<br />
Founder/Music Minister<br />
Kanvee Adams International<br />
Ministries (KAIMI), Inc.<br />
Gbengbar Town, Roberts field<br />
Highway<br />
1000 Monrovia 10, Liberia<br />
Mobile: 001 347 339 7790/+231 880<br />
767512/+231 886 656741<br />
Email: kanveelazo@yahoo.com/<br />
emmanadams2002@yahoo.com
By GJullian Flemister-King<br />
Associate Columnist<br />
Let’s get right to the point: it is time for the men of the world who know<br />
better to step up and join the fight for women’s equality. More specifically,<br />
we need to start a movement to create more male feminists; and even<br />
more specifically than that, we need to start a movement of straight male<br />
feminists. Now, fellow men, to become a feminist does not mean you will<br />
suddenly adopt a bevy of female tendencies, get mocked by other guys in<br />
the locker room, and lose out on women because we all know women<br />
don’t like nice or effeminate guys. If that’s how you think about the subject,<br />
please stop right there and hear me out.<br />
Feminism is just an umbrella term used to describe people who are<br />
involved in the advocacy of women’s rights on the grounds of political,<br />
social, and economic equality to men. Feminism cannot change your mannerisms, it cannot change your sexual<br />
orientation, and it cannot cause people to perceive you negatively. This is really important to understand,<br />
because after reading the definition of feminism, a decent male human being should understand that feminism<br />
is about standing up for what’s right, and not about forcing your identity into the mold of a woman. In fact, the<br />
purpose of this article is to call out to the men among us who define themselves as uber-masculine: the buffedup<br />
weightlifters, the football players, the 6’7” basketball guys, the heartbreakers, the bosses and CEO’s, bigshot<br />
businessmen and politicians, and even just the everyday rugged men of the world. When it comes to the<br />
ongoing fight for women’s equality, these kinds of men are notoriously missing in action.<br />
I’m not here to lecture my fellow men on everything they’re doing wrong, or even to speculate on why we<br />
happen to be so averse to labeling ourselves as feminists. I just hope that we begin to understand that we can<br />
have an influential voice on the matter, and it’s important for undoubtedly straight men and also men who have<br />
social status to speak up in support of this cause. It is high time that we normalized equality for women. One of<br />
the best examples of a man stepping out of his comfort zone to speak on women’s equality is President Barack<br />
Obama’s August 2016 essay published by Glamour, titled “This Is What a Feminist Looks Like”. In the essay he<br />
speaks on a variety of subjects from how he became a feminist, to the progress the world has made, to how we<br />
need to continue the fight for women’s equality. It really is a truly must read article - which chronicles his<br />
perception of feminism - but perhaps the most powerful line of his essay comes before you even start reading<br />
the main body or work. Right there, in the title, the most powerful man and leader of the free world declares<br />
“This Is What a Feminist Looks Like” in reference to himself, a former Constitutional Law professor, legislator,<br />
and the 44th President of the United States of America.<br />
The biggest thing I want the reader to take away from my mentioning “This Is What a Feminist Looks Like” is the<br />
power of declaration. Most of those reading this article can likely come to the conclusion that women deserve<br />
rights equal to those of men, and deserve to be treated with equal respect (and if you don’t think so, I will make<br />
a case for you later in the article). Case in point: many men will say things like “never hit a woman” or “don’t<br />
disrespect my mother or sister”, and most have a general understanding that women should be treated with<br />
courtesy, respect and fairness. But all too often that is where our feminism stops, as these sentiments are most<br />
often predominately limited to women in our own families and to large generalizations. Not every woman is<br />
your mother, sister, or wife, and large generalizations are nice but they don’t promote progress. This is why it’s<br />
important that when you label yourself as a feminist, you go beyond mere rhetoric and let it show in your
actions so that others will know that you are serious about working for change - that you support equality for all<br />
women and are intent on seeing progress. Let it be known that you are a feminist, that it’s okay to be a feminist<br />
around you, and that you want to see more male feminists like yourself – not afraid of being judged. It is time to<br />
normalize feminism, and most importantly it is time to normalize equality. That can only happen when the men<br />
in our society, like President Obama, stand up and let the world know that it is okay to be a man, while also<br />
being a feminist who stands for women’s rights.<br />
Now, I do recognize that there is a problem here, namely that women, no matter what we say here, are not<br />
men. We as men tend to be quick to point out that there are distinct biological differences that make it<br />
impossible for men and women to function identically: we all know that hormonal differences during<br />
developmental stages make it unlikely that women can compete with men athletically at the highest levels of<br />
most sports, we also know that menstrual cycles add additional layer of emotional and physical issues women<br />
have to contend with over the course of a month, and as always, there is the fact of life that only women are<br />
capable of carrying a fetus. Needless to say, women who aspire to be in non-domestic roles are placed at a<br />
disadvantage right from the start. This means that this woman would have to strive to be as good as or even<br />
better than her male counterparts in spite of all of the social and biological issues she would still need to<br />
contend with o a daily basis. And this is where we (men) need to stop and examine or prejudices against<br />
women. Because the last time I checked, we have no problem supporting and cheering for people who are still<br />
able to achieve difficult feats in spite of tough circumstances and/or adversity; and billions of women around the<br />
world do just that every day. And let’s not act like we emotionality is reserved only for women – like we don’t all<br />
know other men who we can count on to be volatile at least once a month, if that is your primary concern.<br />
Women have proven that they can perform at high levels in various capacities, regardless of whatever<br />
disadvantages you may perceive them as having.<br />
For those men who already believe in women deserving equal rights and opportunities, and would like to take<br />
the next step towards progress, the first step, as always, is educating yourself and finding your own<br />
understanding of the issues facing women today. However, I must warn you, that being a feminist and a<br />
champion for women’s rights does not mean that you should go around telling women how helpless they are,<br />
and that you have come to save them. Women DO NOT need you to save them, nor do they need to be told that<br />
equality will only come when they completely shun historically feminine roles. We need more male feminists<br />
because it’s the right thing to do – because we are the source of most of the discrimination faced by women;<br />
and the problems we face cannot be solved without a majority of people being on board with us. Once that is<br />
understood, we can then begin to learn more about things like the gender-wage gaps, domestic violence, hiring<br />
discrimination, maternity and paternity leave, and even just women in general. Half of the world’s population is<br />
female, yet we as men tend to not even take the time understand some of the fundamental aspects of a<br />
woman’s daily existence, such as menstrual cycles and menopause. Before we can begin to make a difference,<br />
we first need to educate ourselves on basics of female life. Once you have done that, then it will be easy to<br />
properly focus your advocacy – by viewing the problem from the right perspective instead of looking at it<br />
through male-colored glasses. With the right attitude and true sense of awareness we will be able to identify<br />
opportunities in everyday life to advocate for the rights of women, and to educate other strong trailblazing men<br />
like you on why they too, ought to become male feminists.
LEILANI FLEMISTER-<br />
SANDO – CEO<br />
Events Empire, Inc.<br />
Many people have expressed to<br />
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Above all, we value the<br />
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22
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Rev. Dr. Terry Troia<br />
Executive Director<br />
Reverend Dr. Terry Troia has<br />
held the position of Executive<br />
Director of Project Hospitality,<br />
an interfaith effort serving the<br />
hungry and homeless<br />
community of Staten Island<br />
since 1985. A Reformed<br />
Church in America minister,<br />
she is also the pastor of the<br />
New Utrecht Reformed<br />
Church in Benson Hurst,<br />
Brooklyn. Reverend Troia<br />
volunteers as a member of<br />
several city and state wide<br />
boards including the NYC<br />
Commission on Economic<br />
Opportunity, the NYC<br />
Commission on AIDS, the<br />
NYC Temporary Commission<br />
on Day Laborer Job Sites,<br />
the NYC Committee to End<br />
Homelessness, the NYC<br />
Commission for Lesbian,<br />
Gay, Bisexual, Transgender<br />
and Questioning (LGBTQ)<br />
Runaway and Homeless<br />
Youth, NYC Inter-Agency<br />
Task Force on Youth<br />
.<br />
Violence. She is also the cochair<br />
of the NYS Department<br />
of Health, Statewide AIDS<br />
Service Delivery Consortium.<br />
Reverend Troia serves on the<br />
board of directors of El<br />
Centro del Inmigrante, a local<br />
day laborer organization and<br />
as the Chair of the Staten<br />
Island Family Health Care<br />
Coalition and the Staten<br />
Island Clergy Leadership, a<br />
network of local religious<br />
leaders committed to<br />
upholding the biblical charism<br />
of hospitality and justice. She<br />
holds the leadership position<br />
in the Port Richmond<br />
Improvement Association,<br />
New Brighton Coalition of<br />
Concerned Citizens and the<br />
Port Richmond Anti-Violence<br />
Task Force and the Staten<br />
Island Immigrant Council.<br />
Since Hurricane Sandy hit<br />
the shores of Staten Island in<br />
October of 2012, Reverend<br />
Troia has been at the<br />
forefront of the relief efforts.<br />
In immediate days following<br />
the storm Troia ensured that<br />
victims had the essentials –<br />
clothing for warmth, food to<br />
eat and shelter. She turned<br />
Project Hospitality’s mobile<br />
food truck into a commissary<br />
and began its journey into the<br />
disaster area to distribute<br />
cleaning and household<br />
supplies, blankets, pampers,<br />
toilet paper, food and water.<br />
A week later, Revered Terry<br />
Troia was at the helm when<br />
Project Hospitality was asked<br />
by the Borough President to<br />
manage the evacuation sites<br />
at Bayley Seton Hospital and<br />
Mt. Manresa. She is currently<br />
serving as President of The<br />
Staten Island Community and<br />
Interfaith Long Term<br />
Recovery Organization.<br />
Reverend Troia served as<br />
adjunct lecturer at the NYC<br />
College of Technology and is<br />
an ESL teacher. For fun, she<br />
teaches scripture and plays<br />
basketball with local youth in<br />
the New Brighton section of<br />
Staten Island as a volunteer<br />
of the Eye Openers Youth<br />
Against Violence<br />
Organization
Oscar Juma - Columnist<br />
Historical<br />
There have been many successful female leaders and<br />
rulers throughout history; but it is very interesting to note how a lot of<br />
these women have been remembered for all the wrong reasons.<br />
Take the case of Catherine the great for example. In 1762,<br />
Catherine II declared herself empress after leading a successful<br />
coup against her purportedly insane husband Peter III, Tsar of<br />
Russia. Catherine the Great (as she came to be known) became a<br />
powerful ruler under whose reign Russia prospered greatly – she<br />
saved the Kingdom from invasion and possible annexation by<br />
stronger neighbours. Under her, the kingdom of Russia became one<br />
of the great kingdoms of Europe – new laws were enacted, schools were<br />
established and wars were fought and won. She was however hugely criticized for her well documented<br />
numerous love affairs.<br />
The empress was known to have had many lovers during her reign as Tsarina of Russia. As a result,<br />
many rumours had been circulated about Catherine’s perceived voracious sexual appetite - to the extent that, in<br />
spite of being one of the most renown and longest serving female rulers in Europe, this vicious and virulent<br />
rumour has come to define her legacy. Sometime after her death, rumours (started by other women) began to<br />
circulate that the Tsarina had died while attempting an unusual and unnatural sexual act with a horse; yes, a<br />
horse. In the eyes of many, she has become no better than a rough woman whose primary motivation was<br />
unbridled sex, which ultimately led to her demise. This persistent rumour, cruel and unfair as it may be, begs the<br />
question, “Why is the world so willing to believe such heinous things about a person – especially a woman?”<br />
better still, why would other women seek destroy another woman?<br />
To answer this question, let us look at the position in which Catherine the great found herself. She was<br />
a very successful female monarch who was undoubtedly very unpopular with her male counterparts for several<br />
reasons; first simply by virtue of being a woman in a world dominated by men and because she overthrew vis-àvis<br />
betrayed the man (her husband) whom she succeeded. Secondly she led a love life which for all intents and<br />
purposes was very much tabooed during that era and to a large extent, even today. There may be other reasons<br />
and happenings during her reign that could have portrayed her in a negative light, but these two facts alone are<br />
sufficient to help one see why the rumours about her have persisted for more than two centuries. Of these two<br />
“sins” though, the sexual sin alone was sufficient to doom her legacy for all posterity - in spite of the fact that<br />
other male monarchs all across the world had multiple lovers, as exemplified by King Louis XIV of United<br />
Kingdom, for example. Catherine’s purported sexual proclivity is arguably the main reason why the world has so<br />
massively castigated her; almost to the extent of utterly destroying her legacy.<br />
To put it all in perspective, the fact that she overthrew her husband is something that did not endear her<br />
to most men of her time and a vast majority of women back then and even today - even if that the husband was<br />
an insane philanderer. Also the idea of a “woman going through men” like some men typically would, caused<br />
history to look very unkindly upon her - as this type of behaviour has almost always been deemed to be<br />
unwomanly. Thus it is no surprise to learn that some of her fiercest critics were other female nobilities of her time<br />
such as Princess-Abbess Maria Maximiliana von Stadion of Buchau (Germany), Joint Duchess Marie-Adélaïde<br />
de France of Louvois (France) and Joint Hereditary Lord Great Chamberlain Lady Georgiana Charlotte Bertie of<br />
the kingdom of Great Britain among others – some of whom may have been responsible for starting this terrible<br />
rumour.<br />
The story of Catherine II highlights the fact that female leaders were back then, as they are even today,<br />
subject to a much stringent scrutiny than their male counterparts. It is also an indicator that no matter how<br />
notable and successful a woman may become, she will never be immune to gender based biases and social
discriminations. On the positive side however, it is equally a story of how women took daring and sometimes<br />
even controversial decisions that have gone on to empower and motivate other women for ages. Through our<br />
complacency the world has done quite a bit to diminish this great leader in the eyes of history; but I believe it is<br />
high time that women made some effort to give Catherine her rightful place in history. She deserves her place<br />
among the ranks of notable and successful women leaders of all time. Nevertheless, I believe that the women of<br />
her time should have stood behind her because successful women leaders are not easy to come – since<br />
ascension to national leader is a much more difficult feat for women to achieve.<br />
Present day<br />
Two and a half centuries later, women continue to be victimized by the inequities of social justice and<br />
millennia of cultural and religious condition that fosters a subliminal resistance to the idea of women becoming<br />
heads of nations and kingdoms. But what’s even worse is that won=men’s<br />
attitudes towards one of their own who si trying to make her mark in a world<br />
dominated by men have not changed much. Don’t get me wrong, I believe that<br />
things are a hundred times better than they were during Catherine the great’s<br />
time. However, one cannot help but question how it is that Hillary Clinton would<br />
lose the 2016 presidential election in USA, where there are more registered<br />
female voters than male voters. Granted, women equally have varying interests<br />
and political opinions as men, but where the problem lies is the fact that there<br />
were many women who placed their support behind a professed sexual molester and abuser instead supporting<br />
her. This election therefore will go down in the history books as a time when women had the perfect excuse and<br />
a unique opportunity to re-write history by exercising their “Girl Power” but failed to unite behind one of their own.<br />
While stories of how her opponent treated women as lesser humans abounded in all quarters, her fellow women<br />
seemed not to care so much. Instead she was crucified for being complacent in her husband’s mistakes, infidelity<br />
and for being too ambitious.<br />
A population gender distribution demographic by Keiser Family Foundation indicates that with the<br />
exception of North Dakota where there are more male voters (52% male to 48% female voters) the ratio in all the<br />
other states is either a tie or favours women over men. Political analysts agree that if a bigger majority of all<br />
women supported Hillary, she would undoubtedly have become the next president of the united states. But why<br />
were women so willing to abandon Hilary in favour of Trump? Was it because she was this very mean, overly<br />
ambitious and dishonest woman that the opposition portrayed her to be? Was it because she by her husband<br />
after forgiving him of marital infidelity? Or was it because she was perceived as being untrustworthy as claimed<br />
by the opposition? I guess the jury is still out on those questions – but most reasonable would agree that all of so<br />
called faults and flaws are no worse than those of Donal Trump. A vast majority of women however, begged to<br />
differ - as is evidenced by the case a 61year old lady who went viral on social media when she switched her<br />
support from Hillary to Trump. Many women praised her for making “the right decision”.<br />
Whether or not one agrees with the rationales highlighted above, the fact the remains that women<br />
choosing to withdraw support from their fellow women, in the face overwhelming justification for such support.<br />
Ana Espinosa, a Science of sustainability Student at Columbia University in New York while commenting on an<br />
interactive empowerwomen.org piece titled "Women Don't Support Each Other" - A Stereotype or Reality? Put<br />
quite plainly when she Said, “…this is a sad reality and in a lot of the cases we as women don't stand for each<br />
other. But, I also think this is nothing to do with genders but with the way we are conceiving the "rules of the<br />
game" in the society, we are always taught to be THE best, the richest, the strongest, the skinniest, the prettiest<br />
and so on, we need to stop teaching generations to compare themselves with others but to create together, to<br />
strive to be the best version of THEMSELVES and to aim to build better societies and places to live, because<br />
overall we are all on the same path to achieve happiness.” It is Bad enough that we have to live with the<br />
knowledge that playing field will probably never be even for women, but when we turn our backs each other<br />
when it matters most history will continue to unkind to as a gender. Woman must change their attitudes towards<br />
each other so as to positively influence their historical narrative.
Leilani Flemister-Sando<br />
Columnist<br />
Health issues and concerns encompass all aspects of<br />
a person’s existence. From psychological, emotional<br />
and mental health, to physical; a holistic approach<br />
to health is the best strategy to maintaining a state<br />
of well-being of the body. Health is classically<br />
defined as a state of well-being, free from illness<br />
or injury; according to a simple Google search. In<br />
today’s world, questions beckon; are there<br />
specific and crucial health considerations to be<br />
addressed especially concerning women, girls, and<br />
the youth? What concerns affect the cross section<br />
of cultures, ethnicities and genders of our world<br />
regardless of the socio-economic status of the<br />
individual or family? What if the reality and analysis of<br />
health are not limited to the tangible, but instead, includes<br />
the physiological self and one’s environment?<br />
In a review<br />
of the definition of health, aside from illness, an injury is another angle<br />
which must not be ignored. In fact, violence (physical and verbal) and rape interrupt the<br />
homeostasis of the body, thereby compromising one’s health. The approach that is prevalent in<br />
some homes, cultures, and areas of society is one of a myopic view and this is potentially<br />
downright dangerous. For example, for some people, the injury of sexual abuse, violence of all<br />
types, psychological abuse, and degrees of such do not necessarily bear the magnitude and<br />
urgency of a health crisis; as compared to diseases such as breast cancer, hypertension,<br />
diabetes and other chronic diseases, or even a simple headache. Some injuries are usually<br />
treated as a one-time problem that a quick trip to the emergency room or clinic could fix, when<br />
in fact; the true long-term effects of these complex health issues abound long after the physical<br />
wounds have healed. The dictates of the approach to the attention and treatment of<br />
physiological health issues vary by individual homes and cultures.<br />
According to the Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual al Assault (MCASA), depending on<br />
what a woman’s previous experience in life has been, that very experience could influence or<br />
dictate the response or type of reaction she might have to a sexual assault situation. From,<br />
anger, frustration, and blame, to varying levels of fear, stress, and anxiety; the nightmare<br />
scenario could spiral into a depression that could lead to long-term health repercussions.
Depression, for example, is not just a mental health problem; it could also lead to and affect the<br />
physical health of a sufferer. Diseases such as heart disease and insomnia just to name a<br />
couple; are related to persons with major or clinical depression. When left untreated, just like<br />
any illness, it could lead to a domino effect of other possible debilitating health consequences.<br />
The facts and figures show that important approaches to potential resolutions are education<br />
and awareness. When the approach to healthcare is a well-rounded one with the proper<br />
perspective and is geared towards a determination of healing, outcomes are more successful.<br />
Wellness begins with prevention; such as regular mammograms, health checkups, regular<br />
dental appointments, and the list goes on.<br />
These actions have been shown to lower the odds of chronic diseases becoming just<br />
that. Another component to a successful outcome is the positive and interactive relationship<br />
between the healthcare practitioner and the patient. Successful outcomes also occur when<br />
individuals are encouraged to fully participate in the healthcare delivery and treatment,<br />
especially where the healthcare environment is free and unthreatening. Get screened for<br />
preventable cancers. Regular checkups with one’s doctor increase the odds of beating a disease<br />
by more than 50 percent. Other helpful suggestions are; if in an abusive relationship; tell<br />
someone. Reach out to law enforcement, even if anonymously. Seek help for a healthier you<br />
and break the chain of ignorance and silence. As has been said, prevention is better than cure.<br />
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00000000000<br />
Evang. Merlyn Valentine<br />
Deshield – CEO<br />
The Shabach Music Awards is an<br />
endeavor that honors and<br />
appreciates the ministry of praise,<br />
worship, and all performing arts that<br />
bring glory to the Almighty God<br />
through music worldwide while<br />
promoting, exposing, and honoring<br />
Gospel and Christian artists. The<br />
annual event is a spirit filled evening<br />
that brings together the hardest<br />
working artists, ministers, and<br />
producers to a total worship<br />
experience. This year, the first annual<br />
Shabach Music Awards will honor<br />
those who have contributed to<br />
Gospel and Christian music. There<br />
will be stellar performances from<br />
recording artists, dancers, and<br />
worship leaders. Proceeds from<br />
Shabach Music Awards will support<br />
scholarships and youth development<br />
initiatives.<br />
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SEXUALITY, FAMILY, FAITH<br />
PHILANTHROPY, LEADERSHIP...<br />
WOMEN<br />
2 N D C H A N C E W O M E N O F D I S T I N C T I O N<br />
MAGAZINE<br />
DECEMBER 3, 2016 EDITION<br />
Copyright (C)