BWHI 41st Anniversary Week:
Our Health Is Our Power
This year’s BWHI 41st Anniversary Week was an incredible celebration of the power, health, and resilience of Black women. It was a week filled with powerful conversations, expert insights, and inspiring advocacy efforts that reinforced our mission to uplift and support Black women at every phase of life.
Kicking Off with Wellness Wins
We started the week with an engaging Instagram Live session where women from across the country shared their personal wellness victories. These stories, which ranged from overcoming chronic health challenges to achieving personal wellness goals, set the tone for the week, demonstrating the strength and resilience of Black women and proving that wellness is attainable at any stage of life.
Expert Insights: BWHI’s First-Ever Virtual Event with Our Experts
For the first time, BWHI brought together its team of subject matter experts for a virtual event to dive deep into some of the most pressing health topics affecting Black women today. The discussion spanned reproductive health, chronic disease prevention, mental wellness, and more. This event provided attendees with actionable insights and resources designed to address the unique challenges Black women face in managing their health. By creating this space, BWHI empowered women to take control of their health journeys, armed with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed.
Me Period Day: Advocacy in Action
As part of National Daughters Day, we proudly introduced Me Period Day, a new annual advocacy initiative focused on empowering Black mothers and caregivers to help young people connect with their bodies and become their own health advocates. This national day of action is dedicated to fostering open and honest conversations about menstruation, encouraging young people to build healthy habits and advocate for their health needs. In addition to launching this initiative, we featured a screening of the Me Period documentary, which was met with an overwhelmingly positive response. Now, we’re excited to offer others the opportunity to host their own screenings and continue the conversation around menstrual health. Stream the documentary here.
Power In The Pause: A Memorable Finale
We closed out the week with an extraordinary event—Power In The Pause—the largest-ever gathering of Black women focused on menopause. Co-hosted by Paula Green Smith, VP of Training and Technical Assistance at BWHI, and Maria Moore, Wellness Coach and Co-Host of the Rickey Smiley Morning Show, this event was a powerful exchange of stories, knowledge, and empowerment. Paula’s energetic style kept the audience engaged throughout, while Maria led a fitness segment that highlighted the importance of mobility and flexibility as we age.
The event featured national experts, including Dr. Jessica Shepherd, OBGYN and Founder of Modern Meno Health, who spoke extensively about Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). Dr. Stephanie Young Moss, Founder of Menopause in Color, followed with an insightful discussion on the importance of supplements like magnesium during this transitional time.
Dr. Ayanna Abrams, Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Founder of Ascension Behavioral Health, shared her thoughts on the “Superwoman Syndrome” and the mental health challenges Black women often face when juggling multiple roles. She provided practical strategies for managing stress and prioritizing mental wellness.
Erin Taylor, BWHI Lifestyle Change Coach, and Sharon Hawks, MS, RDN, LDN, CDCES, discussed the role of nutrition in managing menopause symptoms. They emphasized the importance of incorporating more fiber and protein into one’s diet to maintain energy and overall health. Linda Goler Blount, MPH, President of BWHI, delivered a powerful message on how stress affects Black women metabolically, making it critical to manage stress for both mental and physical well-being. Lastly, Dr. Soyini Hawkins, board-certified gynecology physician and owner of the Fibroid and Pelvic Wellness Center of Georgia, spoke on intimacy, pelvic floor health, and how to maintain both emotional and physical well-being through menopause.
Want to Get Involved?
If you want to help shape the future of Black women’s health, take our Power In The Pause knowledge test at bwhi.org/powerinthepause. Your responses will help us better understand your needs and guide our future efforts.
For those seeking a community of support, we encourage you to connect with our partner, Menopause In Color, for additional resources and support as you navigate this journey.