NWHN’s Fall Reception: A Celebration 20 Years in the Making

By Cynthia Pearson, Executive Director

In this issue, you’ll find a series of lovely photos of an event celebrating my 20 years at the National Women’s Health Network. The event was wonderful – and the people who came together to celebrate were impressive.

The group included women and men who are all connected to the Network in a wide variety of ways. Some have been involved since the very beginning, while others became connected with NWHN more recently – but everyone who was present that night supports the goal of improving women’s health through information and advocacy. The photographs on pages 6 and 7 convey some of the lively spirit of the event, and the fun we all had during the evening, but they can’t convey what was spoken that night.

At the event, I was honored to be toasted by leading women who do amazing work in the world -- Byllye Avery, a former Board member and the founder of the Avery Institute for Social Change; Susan F. Wood, Board member and the former director of the FDA Office of Women’s Health; Judy Norsigian, Executive Director of Our Bodies Ourselves; and Elizabeth Suiter, a former NWHN intern who is now a physician at Unity Health.

And, I very much appreciated the chance to recognize and honor the women who meant the most to me when I began my work in women’s health – Barbara Seaman, co-founder of NWHN and Carol Downer, co-founder of Self Help Clinic and the Los Angeles Feminist Women’s Health Center. These women helped create the movement I’ve had the joy to work within for nearly my entire adult life.

It was also great to have the opportunity to spend some time with NWHN supporters, including representatives from the Adams National Bank, which was one of the event’s major sponsor. A complete list of sponsors is on pages 6-7 – we very much appreciate all of these organizations’ and individuals’ support and generosity in helping make the evening such a success.

What struck me the most during the night’s festivities was how happy people were to celebrate NWHN itself. Over and over, I heard guests talking about the role NWHN played in their lives, and how important the organization is in creating positive change that benefits women’s health. I felt very strongly that the appreciation and thanks that I received from the various speakers were -- in large part -- for the work of NWHN over the last 20 years, not just for my individual role at the organization. Many people treasure the NWHN and what we stand for – independence, fairness, consideration of the needs of all women, respect. NWHN represents the ability of average women, working together, to make a difference in the lives of many women. Thank you to everyone whose support and energy made the Fall Reception such a success, and to all who helped make the last 20 years so special for me and NWHN.

For photos from the event, visit the NWHN website.