In Each Issue - Black Women 50+ Health & Lifestyles Magazine

International Day of Rural Women

10/26/2020

Rural Women Lead Solutions and Solidarity in the Wake of COVID-19

Pastoral Women’s Council Executive Director Maanda Ngoitiko during a 2019 visit to Ngorongoro. Photo: UN Women/ Tsitsi Matope

They are farmers, workers, entrepreneurs, teachers, and they are key to building resilient, peaceful and sustainable societies. They live in rural settings, but their contributions nurture entire nations. And as COVID-19 ravaged our lives and economies, rural women have been leading, often hidden from the limelight, in sustaining and recovering their communities.

Hands of Praise, Sign Language Ministry Speaks to the Dear at George Floyd Funeral

9/2/2020

Passerby documented his deadly encounter with the police. His crime — trying to spend a bogus $20 bill. Handcuffed, arms behind his back, laying on the street, videos showed a police officer suffocating George Floyd by kneeling on his neck. Outrage over his murder ignited protests calling for police reforms and ending social injustices in American cities and around the world that persist today.

Leonard E. Egede, MD, MS Leads Team to Test 1,000 Seniors for Coronavirus

6/8/2020

“In Milwaukee, African Americans living in senior housing assisted living, nursing homes or homeless shelters are at especially high risk for COVID-19. Older adults are a vulnerable population likely to have multiple comorbidities increasing their risk of experiencing complications or mortality due to COIVD-19. A hotspot has emerged in the city’s northside, with the potential to spread across the city if effective measures are not taken. With this project, we aim to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in these vulnerable populations, reduce fear and confusion during this time, and ultimately save lives.”

Master Chef of Vegan Soulfood

11/25/2019

ZAKIYA COURTNEY

Motivated by scientific evidence connecting the link between diet and health, more and more conscious foodies are eating green by turning to vegetable-based meal choices at home and when dining out. Veg News reports that in response to this mushrooming trend, 51 percent of chefs have added plant-based, dairy-free, gluten-free menu selections.

Vegans do not eat or use animal products. Vegetarians rely on plant-based foods. They do not eat meat, eggs, dairy or animal by-products, and generally, avoid processed foods. Vegan diets include legumes (beans, peas, and lentils), nuts /nut butters, hemp, flax, and chia seeds, tofu, and other minimally processed meat substitutes, calcium-fortified plant-based milk, yogurts, seaweed, nutritional yeast, sprouted and fermented plant foods.

Zakiya Courtney — mother of a blended/extended family of 15; grandmother of 50; great-grandmother to 16, and wife

Sherrea Jones, Ph.D. Honored with Future Doctors at Medical College of Wisconsin — White Coat Ceremony

9/10/2019

Sherrea Jones, Ph.D.

Sherrea Jones, Ph.D., explained, “I’ve always known that serving in a medical capacity and mentoring others is what I wanted to do. I’m humbled to be a mirror image and source of inspiration for individuals from underserved populations and inspire their ambitions to heights beyond their circumstances.”

Social Work Navigator, Wisconsin Well Woman Program and Aurora Family Service Dawn Shelton Willimans

6/6/2019

Works to Ensure Patient Needs Are Satisfied

At a local health fair Dawn Shelton Williams shares information with Angela Seawood, and Vanessa LeFlore Negron while she completes a cervical cancer assessment and screening form.

As a Social Work Navigator for Aurora Family Service, Dawn Shelton-Williams, MSW, LCSW, helps patients dealing with health crisis plan a course of action. Through a grant from the Wisconsin Well Woman Program, she assists women with overcoming barriers and challenges that may prevent them from getting breast and cervical cancer screenings; diagnostic test follow up; or initiating cancer treatment.

Lillie Simmons’ Service Guided by Empathy for Library Visitors

3/6/2019

Empathy is kindness, nonjudgmental understanding, and emotional feelings for the plight of others.

“Some of the young people who come here have negative attitudes and resistance to rules,” notes Lillie Simmons, a security officer assigned to the Villard Square Branch of the #MilwaukeeCountyFederated LibrarySystem. “I tell them, no matter where you are and what you do, there will always be rules. Your attitude determines your altitude. If you have a negative attitude, you won’t go far in this life.”Located in the modest 53209 zip code, Villard Square Library occupies the ground floor of a mixed-use building of apartments for grandparents raising their grandchildren. Contemporary libraries, where visitors spend an average of 1.5 hours, provide free access to streams of resources that encourage social inclusion and equity, i.e., classroom instruction, entertainment, computers, audiobooks, Braille materials, community meeting spaces, and tutoring for adults. As Simmons tells it, “A lot of young people don’t have respect for their elders. But I believe that if they are approached with respect, most will respond that way. Some parents and grandparents today work so much and don’t have time for their children. I feel for them and talk to them as a caring parent would. I also help the librarians if needed.”

A Compassionate Life

11/29/2018

Compassion is a concern for the misfortunes of others, sensitivity, tenderness, kindness, humanity, love, and charity. Compassion is the sympathetic consciousness for the distress of others together with a desire to alleviate it.

Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Life has taught me that faith, hope, and love are the main components of compassion. The most compassionate act that I experienced happened soon after I was born. And it positively impacts my life today.

While living in a convent for unwed mothers, my birth mother was faced with the decision to give me up for adoption. So, fortunately, I went from my teenaged mother’s arms into the care of my great uncle and aunt, Ozell and Lillian Stinson who became my parents.

Their love was incontestable. Our home was a nurturing environment filled with undying support. I was cared for and protected by two loving parents who taught me so many life lessons that have brought me to where I am today. I never felt neglected or deprived. They were firm but not harsh. I learned so many life lessons like discipline, the need for educational development, respect for myself, family, other people, my community, and God’s universe. I was also taught the importance of a strong work ethic, self-sufficiency, trustworthiness, honesty, and about being a woman of good character. These qualities and more influenced me to become the woman I feel God planned for me to be. And he’s not done with me yet!

I think God wants me to share some of the compassion with others that was given to me. My great-uncle and aunt transitioned years ago, but the compassion and love they poured into my life live in me today. It has enabled a loving relationship with my 86 years old birth mother, and 11 loving brothers and sisters whom I wouldn’t trade for the world. God gave us each other and hope for our future generations. Compassion conquers adversity!

Angela Stinson retired from Milwaukee Public Schools where she taught 40 years, and also worked 20 years in the U.S. Army National Guard.

Fortunuts Gaining Tractionfrom Individuals, taverns, Retailers, and Corporations

12/11/2017

Melanie and Darryll Fortune showcasing FortuNuts at a tradeshow. www.furtunenuts.net

FortuNuts is a collection of savory fiber-rich nuts for people who prefer snacks other than chips and cookies. Melanie Fortune co-owns this venture with her husband, Darryll.

Gwen and Michael Birmingham: Bridge the Gap in Communicating with Young People

11/18/2013

Sex, drugs, alcohol and relationships are a few of the hot issues that confront today’s youth. Growing up in the 21st Century is tough.

With five teenage girls at home, it was an easy decision for Michael and Gwen Birmingham that she should not work for a while but stay at home. So Gwen devoted herself exclusively to taking care of soul mate and husband of 24 years, and their beloved girls. She currently works as an assistant administrator at a school.

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* Information presented is not intended to be a diagnosis of illness or legal advice, but to increase awareness and inspire personal responsibility in practicing prevention and fulfilling lifestyles.

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