"We envision a world where everyone has
an equal chance to live a long and healthy life."
With this vision of healthy longevity for all, the first Sisters Staying Healthy Conference was held October 19, 2002 with a small gathering of women at Lady Effie’s Tea Parlor in South Los Angeles. Convened by Life-Long, a program of Community Partners®, the annual forum focusing on healthy aging issues for African American women expanded to include ongoing monthly support groups, educational programs, information and referral, and public policy advocacy. Over time the annual event grew in size and stature and was held in 2010 in partnership with the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology.
The 8th Annual Sisters Staying Healthy Conference
was held on April 17, 2010 at the University of Southern California
in Los Angeles, California.
was held on April 17, 2010 at the University of Southern California
in Los Angeles, California.
Life-Long and the USC School of Gerontology/ Ethel Percy Andrus Center team up for the Sisters Staying Healthy Conference. The conference is approved for three hours of Continuing Education Credit for RNs, MFTs and LCSWs.
Sisters Staying Healthy Conference8th Annual
Sisters Staying Healthy Conference Saturday, April 17, 2010 Held at the University of Southern California Davis Auditorium, Andrus Gerontology Center 3715 McClintock Avenue, L.A., CA 90089 |
Join us in a positive and supportive atmosphere to learn about a lifespan approach to wellbeing and quality of life. Be part of a circle of people who are committed to making HEALTH their priority.
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The 2010 Sisters Staying Health Conference is conducted by Life-Long, a program of Community Partners, in partnership with the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology.
This program will address how mid-life physical and emotional stressors affect the health status of working women sandwiched between generations. What are the cultural factors that influence how women respond to these mid-life stressors? And what are the larger societal implications of a maturing workforce?
This event is for health, mental health, social service, human resource and other professionals whose work involves serving populations of women disproportionately affected by stress. At this interactive program, attendees will learn to differentiate racial and ethnic disparities in levels and manifestations of mid-life stress in working women, and learn strategies for reducing stress and promoting balance between the demands of worklife and homelife for their clients, as well as for themselves.
This program will address how mid-life physical and emotional stressors affect the health status of working women sandwiched between generations. What are the cultural factors that influence how women respond to these mid-life stressors? And what are the larger societal implications of a maturing workforce?
This event is for health, mental health, social service, human resource and other professionals whose work involves serving populations of women disproportionately affected by stress. At this interactive program, attendees will learn to differentiate racial and ethnic disparities in levels and manifestations of mid-life stress in working women, and learn strategies for reducing stress and promoting balance between the demands of worklife and homelife for their clients, as well as for themselves.
Schedule
8:00 AM
Doors Open
Breakfast Sponsor: Restaurant Santa Cecilia
Registration, networking, and breakfast.
9:00
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Elizabeth Smith RN MBA, Mistress of Ceremonies
Frances Saunders, Statistical Analyst, Life-Long
Eleanor Brownn MAG, Executive Director, Life-Long
9:15
It’s All About You
Step up to the mic and have your say about mid-life stress, and hear the stories of others. Get to know your fellow attendees in this engaging opening activity.
Facilitators:
Lakay Page and Brigette Kidd
9:45
Am I Depressed Because I'm Sick? Or am I Sick Because I'm Depressed?
This presentation will help to explain the link between emotions and physical symptoms, as well as the link between stress and depression. It includes a description of the physiology of depression in individuals with health disparities, and its effect on co-morbid medical illnesses.
Presenter:
Mark Dreskin, MD, Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center
10:30
Strategies & Solutions for Stressed-out Mid-life Working Women
Panel Sponsor: AARP
Our panel discussion, with audience participation, explores the impact of cultural, psycho-social, and economic stressors on the wellbeing of mid-life working women, and strategies to address those stressors.
What are the consequences of being “sandwiched” between generations in the workplace and at home?
How do we cope with the expectation of others for us to be “the rock” for both the young and the old?
What is the role of spirituality in managing the stress in our lives?
What are the symptoms that reveal we are holding stress in our bodies, and what can we do about it?
Can we use the changes that take place in mid-life as an opportunity to help us stop and evaluate where we’ve been, where we are, and where we want to go from here?
Opening Statement:
Edna Kane-Williams, Vice President, Multicultural Markets, AARP
While millions of Americans have experienced hard times during the economic recession, the environment for many African Americans age 45+ and their families is particularly difficult, according to a new survey by AARP. Ms. Williams will set the stage for our discussion about the stress in the lives of midlife working women with highlights from the report.
Respondents:
Donna Benton PhD, University of Southern California
Gerda Govine-Ituarte EdD, Principal, Govine Consulting (discussion facilitator)
Bettyanne Shannon RN MSN, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System
Yolanda Whittington MSW LCSW, Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health
Fitness Break & Demonstration:
Gwen Bolden-Smith, Fitness Expert & Owner, Body by Gwen
Laughter is Medicine:
Clara G. Holmes, Entertainer
12:00 PM
Concurrent Breakout Sessions
Select one workshop.
Workshop 1
The Back Stabbers: Peer-to-peer Conflict in the Workplace
Bettyanne Shannon RN MSN and Licensed Spiritual Practitioner
Office gossip, backstabbing and “attitudes” not only hurt individuals, they interfere with service delivery and organizational productivity. Participants in this workshop will be able to recognize overt and covert examples of lateral/horizontal violence (peer-to-peer interpersonal conflict) and demonstrate steps to alleviate its presence in the work environment.
Workshop 2
On My Last Nerve: Effective Strategies for Managing Stress in Everyday Living
Yolanda Whittington MSW LCSW
The title just about says it all! This experiential workshop will address the physical, emotional, social and health impact of stress, and provide strategies that incorporate techniques such as self-disclosure, self-care, kinship and supportive networks.
Workshop 3
Tai Chi/Qi Gong, Moving Meditation
Yuko Miyahara MS
Learn about the benefits of this ancient practice, and how it can be used by your clients to reduce stress. Tai Chi is a powerful tool for creating a harmonious balance of mind, body and soul. Yuko is a master teacher who will give an introduction to Tai Chi and teach simple Tai Chi/Qi Gong practices anyone can do at home. Tai chi is considered a soft style martial art, an art to harness your internal power called “chi” or “qi”. It is a form of moving meditation, as focusing the mind solely on the movements of the form reportedly helps to bring about a state of mental calm and clarity. You will leave this session renewed and centered.
1:00 PM
Program Ends
Doors Open
Breakfast Sponsor: Restaurant Santa Cecilia
Registration, networking, and breakfast.
9:00
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Elizabeth Smith RN MBA, Mistress of Ceremonies
Frances Saunders, Statistical Analyst, Life-Long
Eleanor Brownn MAG, Executive Director, Life-Long
9:15
It’s All About You
Step up to the mic and have your say about mid-life stress, and hear the stories of others. Get to know your fellow attendees in this engaging opening activity.
Facilitators:
Lakay Page and Brigette Kidd
9:45
Am I Depressed Because I'm Sick? Or am I Sick Because I'm Depressed?
This presentation will help to explain the link between emotions and physical symptoms, as well as the link between stress and depression. It includes a description of the physiology of depression in individuals with health disparities, and its effect on co-morbid medical illnesses.
Presenter:
Mark Dreskin, MD, Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center
10:30
Strategies & Solutions for Stressed-out Mid-life Working Women
Panel Sponsor: AARP
Our panel discussion, with audience participation, explores the impact of cultural, psycho-social, and economic stressors on the wellbeing of mid-life working women, and strategies to address those stressors.
What are the consequences of being “sandwiched” between generations in the workplace and at home?
How do we cope with the expectation of others for us to be “the rock” for both the young and the old?
What is the role of spirituality in managing the stress in our lives?
What are the symptoms that reveal we are holding stress in our bodies, and what can we do about it?
Can we use the changes that take place in mid-life as an opportunity to help us stop and evaluate where we’ve been, where we are, and where we want to go from here?
Opening Statement:
Edna Kane-Williams, Vice President, Multicultural Markets, AARP
While millions of Americans have experienced hard times during the economic recession, the environment for many African Americans age 45+ and their families is particularly difficult, according to a new survey by AARP. Ms. Williams will set the stage for our discussion about the stress in the lives of midlife working women with highlights from the report.
Respondents:
Donna Benton PhD, University of Southern California
Gerda Govine-Ituarte EdD, Principal, Govine Consulting (discussion facilitator)
Bettyanne Shannon RN MSN, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System
Yolanda Whittington MSW LCSW, Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health
Fitness Break & Demonstration:
Gwen Bolden-Smith, Fitness Expert & Owner, Body by Gwen
Laughter is Medicine:
Clara G. Holmes, Entertainer
12:00 PM
Concurrent Breakout Sessions
Select one workshop.
Workshop 1
The Back Stabbers: Peer-to-peer Conflict in the Workplace
Bettyanne Shannon RN MSN and Licensed Spiritual Practitioner
Office gossip, backstabbing and “attitudes” not only hurt individuals, they interfere with service delivery and organizational productivity. Participants in this workshop will be able to recognize overt and covert examples of lateral/horizontal violence (peer-to-peer interpersonal conflict) and demonstrate steps to alleviate its presence in the work environment.
Workshop 2
On My Last Nerve: Effective Strategies for Managing Stress in Everyday Living
Yolanda Whittington MSW LCSW
The title just about says it all! This experiential workshop will address the physical, emotional, social and health impact of stress, and provide strategies that incorporate techniques such as self-disclosure, self-care, kinship and supportive networks.
Workshop 3
Tai Chi/Qi Gong, Moving Meditation
Yuko Miyahara MS
Learn about the benefits of this ancient practice, and how it can be used by your clients to reduce stress. Tai Chi is a powerful tool for creating a harmonious balance of mind, body and soul. Yuko is a master teacher who will give an introduction to Tai Chi and teach simple Tai Chi/Qi Gong practices anyone can do at home. Tai chi is considered a soft style martial art, an art to harness your internal power called “chi” or “qi”. It is a form of moving meditation, as focusing the mind solely on the movements of the form reportedly helps to bring about a state of mental calm and clarity. You will leave this session renewed and centered.
1:00 PM
Program Ends