Posted by Michelle Brown

The Women’s Initiative extends a gracious thank you to the courageous women who shared their stories during our recent First Anniversary Essay Contest. We received 16 submissions, all of which were powerful & inspiring.

All writers will receive a small gift, a certificate, and quotes from judges regarding their essays.

We also congratulate the top three essays:

FIRST PLACE: “Dr. Leslie Blackhall” by Mary Landon

SECOND PLACE: “Friends” by Shaneka Morton

THIRD PLACE: “Until the Storm Passes” by Sandy Beverage

__________________________________________________________________________________

Women's Wellness Book Group

Posted by Michelle Brown

Join us at Barnes & Noble Booksellers Barracks Road Shopping Center for lively discussion about the selected book and related wellness issues that interest you.  

Thursday, November 20, 2008  ~  6:30 - 7:30 pm

This month's book is Gift from the Sea, by Anne Morrow Lindbergh. 

In this inimitable, beloved classic—graceful, lucid and lyrical—Anne Morrow Lindbergh shares her meditations on youth and age; love and marriage; peace, solitude and contentment as she set them down during a brief vacation by the sea. Drawing inspiration from the shells on the shore, Lindbergh’s musings on the shape of a woman’s life bring new understanding to both men and women at any stage of life.

This monthly book group is a collaboration between: The Women’s Initiative & Women’s Health Virginia

Simply show up, or contact the office to let us know you will attend.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Why Should You Attend the Stress Management Workshops or Support Groups?

Posted by Carolyn

The average American triggers the “fight or flight” stress response about 55 times a day. Worries about family members, financial concerns, and traffic jams are just a few of the common social and psychological triggers for the biochemical cascade characteristic of the stress response. Most of what causes us “stress” is not helped by the increased heart rate, heightened respiration, shallow breathing, increased sweating, and slowed digestion that occurs when under stress. In fact, the chronic elicitation of the stress response puts considerable wear and tear on the body making it vulnerable to disease. A variety of medical symptoms and illnesses including diabetes, heart disease, obesity, infertility, irritable bowel syndrome, and many chronic pain conditions are either caused or exacerbated by the ill-effects of chronic stress.

People that learn to recognize and address the symptoms of chronic stress stand to enhance their health and resiliency in the face of daily demands. Mind-body medical research has given us overwhelming evidence of the health benefits of self-care and stress management in improving health.

__________________________________________________________________________________ 

Cancer Patients to Benefit from Guided Relaxation CDs

Posted by Michelle Brown

The Cancer Center at Martha Jefferson Hospital will soon offer guided relaxation CDs to patients in the waiting area as a means to reduce stress before procedures. CDs are created by Carolyn Schuyler, LCSW, Program Director at The Women’s Initiative. Two CDs will be offered – a basic “body scan” relaxation exercise as well as a guided imagery exercise. CDs will be short in duration to match the waiting period most patients have in the reception area. A longer CD combining a series of guided relaxation techniques will be made available in the hospital gift shop. The Women’s Initiative is honored to participate in this project and looks forward to sharing future comments with our supporters.

_________________________________________________________________________________

The Hut Foundation Helps Launch Empowerment Course!

Posted by Michelle Brown

A grant to fully fund our Life Empowerment Course was recently approved by The Hut Foundation. This generous support will enable us to reach approximately 48 low-income women at Westhaven, South First Street Center, the Adult Learning Center and the Jefferson Area CHIP program. The course will run for 90 minutes weekly for two six-week sessions. Each session will center on a particular stress management skill and will include education, discussion, experiential exercises, and exploration of personal application of skills in daily life. By the end of the course, women will have begun to see positive change in their mood, health, relationships, sense of purpose, parenting, and work life. The Women’s Initiative thanks The Hut Foundation for its thoughtful contribution and looks forward to sharing stories of success in the months ahead.