The BET Foundation (BETF), along with sponsors General Mills and Honey Nut Cheerios(R), and in partnership with the Supernatural Woman Conference (a ministry of Restoring Life International Church) will hold the "Remembering Our Health" women's community health forum on Saturday, March 24 from 6:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at New Town High School in Owings Mills, Maryland. The forum will address the various health issues impacting African-American women and provide them with the necessary information and tools to eradicate obesity, promote healthy lifestyles and improve overall wellness.
The goal of the BET Foundation's "Remembering Our Health" women's health forum is to raise awareness of the various obesity-related health issues plaguing minority women including cardiovascular disease, some forms of cancer and mental illness, and to encourage African-American women to make their health a top priority. Michelle Gourdine, M.D., Deputy Secretary for Public Health Services, Maryland Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, and The Honorable Shirley Nathan-Pulliam with Baltimore County's 10th District, will be the special plenary speakers, and Regina Smith-James M.D. and Sharon Allison-Ottey M.D. will serve as forum co-moderators.
"I am pleased to be part of the opening ceremony for the BET Women's Health Symposium," said Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith. "This seminar will offer information on alternative health options generally not found in a doctor's office, hospital or insurance brochure. As a mother, wife, daughter, sister, grandmother or friend, attendees will receive the tools and support to make informed health choices."
Featured forum panelists include: Candace Baptiste; Zaneta Brown; Jeanne Charleston, RN; Shalon Irving, Ph.D; Mina Garrett-Scott, M.D.; Debra Johnson; Mocha Lee; Sakiliba Mines, M.D.; and Caryl Mussenden, M.D. Forum activities will include an exclusive morning master fitness session led by fitness personality Mocha Lee; a continental breakfast sponsored by Honey Nut Cheerios Cereal(R); two panel and Q&A discussions; free health screenings; free boxed lunch; and a special uplifting performance by gospel group The Singletons. There will also be a special lottery drawing for forum attendees to win two tickets to attend the 2007 BET AWARDS show in Los Angeles, CA in June.
The forum is free and open to women ages 18 and older, however advance registration is required and seating is limited. Interested individuals can log onto http://www.ahealthybet.com/ until March 20 to register, and can call the event hotline at 1-800-626-9911, ext. 2341 for more information.
