The 2023 Wear Red Day Celebration, an annual event hosted by the Black Women’s Wellness Foundation, will be held this year on Saturday, February 18th at the Goodman Community Center.
This is the 12th annual event, and the first time it will be held in person. wear red day celebration Since the pandemic began. This day is a day to raise awareness and educate women about heart disease, foster friendships and sisterhood while learning tips and strategies to protect your heart health from expert guest speakers and presenters.
“What makes me tear up at this event is the fact that women all over the world, all across America, all over Madison, are coming together because they recognize and understand the importance of taking care of themselves.” Christine M. Kennedy said. Russell, director of health and wellness programs at the Black Women’s Wellness Foundation, told Madison365. “They’re taking this time to put themselves first. They realize, ‘If I don’t take care of myself and make myself a priority, I won’t be able to do all the other things that are important to me.’ ‘And take care of all the others who depend on me. You have to put yourself first. ”
of Black Women’s Wellness Foundation; The Madison-area nonprofit organization, which celebrated its 10th anniversary last year, mobilizes African American women to pursue and maintain physical and mental health, and to raise awareness and support for black women’s health in their communities and society at large. I’m working on increasing it. Prioritize health. The organization’s annual Wear Red Day celebration marks the anniversary of Black Women’s Wellness Foundation founder and CEO Lisa Peyton Care’s death in 2006 at the age of 64 due to congestive heart failure. It was started in memory of his mother, Roberta Peyton, who passed away in 1996. Over 15 years.
“But out of that loss, Lisa really created this movement, not just this Wear Red Day event, but the Black Women’s Wellness Foundation as a whole,” Russell says. “And she was able to impact the lives of thousands of women through her work that she does through events and programs and resources…She touched the lives of thousands of women as women in the Black community. We’re trying to take control and get back into control.”
On Wear Red Day, the Black Women’s Wellness Foundation will focus on cardiovascular disease, the leading health risk of death for Black women.
“You have to take that as a personal attack, right? Yes, this is a great day for women to come together and wear red and learn and be together, but it’s also a way to raise our arms together. Because someone If a were to invade your home, you wouldn’t sit idly by, you would stand up and do what it takes to protect you and your home. It’s about how we look at the Day. We’re coming together. We’re coming together to say: To protect ourselves and future generations because of what we’re seeing. , what can we do as women in the black community?
“The statistics on cardiovascular disease in our community are horrifying every time I read them,” she added. “So we look at the nearly 50,000 Black women who die from cardiovascular disease every year. The underlying message of Wear Red Day is that, together, we can save lives. I’m here because we have to do this together.”
Women are encouraged to dress up in their favorite red clothing for Wear Red Day. Hedi Rudd of Hedi Lamarr Photography will once again be photographing the event.
Dr. Eva Vivian of the UW-Madison School of Pharmacy, who is also president of the African American Health Network of Dane County, will be the keynote speaker.
“We are simply thrilled to have Dr. Vivian as our keynote speaker, primarily because she is doing great work in her work with the Dane County African American Health Network and the University of Washington School of Pharmacy.” ” Russell says. “But it’s also because we’re actually working with her on the Hope Project, which is a year-long diabetes prevention program for her grandmother. So having her on board as our keynote speaker was a great honor. I think it will be a really great synergy.”
Other featured presenters include Diamond Wimbley; Now, Black Woman® Institute Fellow and Heart Health Advocate; aria stevensonA survivor of cardiovascular disease and Chief Development and Partnerships Officer at FFBW. Peyton-Care will begin the event with opening remarks.
Ms Russell will lead a fitness holiday for women.
“I’m very excited to be a part of it. “When she was planning what kind of fitness experience she wanted to offer to her female demographic, from age 12 to age 75, she decided to focus on her ADLs, activities of daily living.” Russell says. “How can I improve my ability to stand up and sit down? How can I improve my ability to climb stairs without being out of breath? How can I improve my ability to get in and out of a car?
“Our ADLs are a real way to assess your fitness level as you get older,” she continues. “I mean, I’m in my 30s and I sometimes have trouble going up and down stairs. So that’s what led me to say, maybe I need to focus on this a little bit more.” We’re excited to put it together in a really fun way for the event.”
February is National Heart Month, and it’s the perfect time for women to not only assess their heart health, but also get resources and connections to stay healthy year-round.
“We’re so excited to be able to offer events and experiences where women can feel special, beautiful, valued, and nurtured…that touches me. It really does.” Russell says. “I think it’s really special to be a part of this, to see the work that Lisa has done over the years and how it has evolved over time, and to see where we are today with regards to cardiovascular disease in Black women’s health.” You can see how we are building a global footprint.”
The in-person Wear Red Day event is sold out, but you can still register and attend the live stream. To register for the 12th Annual Wear Red Day Heart Health Event & Celebration, click here.
