2018 HOLIDAY MESSAGE FROM BWA’S PRESIDENT GWAINEVERE CATCHINGS HESS
Dear Sisters and Friends:
On behalf of The Black Women’s Agenda, Inc., I wish you a safe, healthy, and joyous holiday season.
This has been a busy year for BWA. Along with our National Collaborating Organizations, we were actively involved in getting out the vote and were thrilled with the pivotal role Black women played in electing candidates on the state and local level, and also running for office. According to the blackwomeninpolitics.com database, Black women ran for 58 federal seats, 180 state offices, 213 local positions, and 17 unspecified seats. We are the change we want to see in the world, and our sisters are serving notice!
In September, during our 41st Annual Symposium in Washington, DC, BWA hosted “Living Your Best Life At Every Age: I Am The Change” — a town hall for more than 600 participants that encouraged participants to consider where they are and want to be from a financial, education and health perspective, and to be a catalyst for change for themselves, their families, and communities. The wildly enthusiastic response the event received inspired BWA to take the forums on the road. With support from AARP, we hosted “Living Your Best Life At Every Age: I Am The Change” workshops in St. Louis and Baltimore. Check our website for information about future forums.
With 2019 just days away, BWA is focused on the road ahead and how we move forward. As an organization, we will continue our work to secure, protect, and advance the rights and well-being of Black women and their families. We will be vocal, visible, and vigilant in reminding those who serve in elected office of our agenda, and a proactive force and resource for helping Black women to live their very best lives.
Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa and the Warmest of Wishes for the New Year!
Gwainevere Catchings Hess
OTHER NEWS
Spirit of Change Conversation Series
Relatedness is a basic psychological experience. We all need to feel connected to other human beings: to care and be cared for, and to belong. We believe that bringing our country together starts with meaningful conversation. Our goal is to reduce polarization and social bias, to increase the willingness to engage in meaningful dialogue, and create an increased understanding and appreciation for our differences and similarities.
November is National Diabetes Awareness Month
According to the American Diabetes Association, “1.25 million Americans have type 1 diabetes and 40,000 people will be diagnosed with it this year. Type 1 diabetes occurs at every age, in people of every race, and of every shape and size.
In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin. The body breaks down the carbohydrates you eat into blood sugar that it uses for energy—and insulin is a hormone that the body needs to get glucose from the bloodstream into the cells of the body. With the help of insulin therapy and other treatments, everyone can learn to manage their condition and live long healthy lives.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes—and it means that your body doesn’t use insulin properly. And while some people can control their blood sugar levels with healthy eating and exercise, others may need medication or insulin to help manage it.
AN OPEN LETTER TO THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS
Founded in 1977, The Black Women’s Agenda, Inc. is a national organization with a mission of educating and protecting the rights of African American women and their families, and represents more than 3 million women.
This Open Letter is being sent in support of women throughout the United States and the World. We understand the importance of recognizing the “person-hood” of women and their complete dominion over their bodies, including matters of pregnancy and reproductive health.
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