Ashro Partners with The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness
A powerful message for National Heart Month
from Lisa Peyton-Caire, Founding CEO & President of The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness
Greetings Ashro Community & Happy Heart Month!
I am so excited to share my very first blog post with you as The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness and Ashro join forces to empower you in your health and wellness! Our partnership launches at a perfect time as we observe American Heart Month, and as we remind you of the urgency to prioritize your heart health.
My work as a passionate advocate for Black Women’s health began 15 years ago after my mother, Roberta Peyton, died at the young age of 64 of congestive heart failure. She was the glue and the center of our family, and her death was a devastating and unexpected loss. We continue to feel the depth of her absence in our family, and the grief of watching her grandchildren grow up without her loving presence.
In the weeks and months following Mom’s death, it struck me just how many of us were losing our mothers, sisters, aunts and friends prematurely, in the prime of their lives — and from preventable causes like heart attack, stroke, and diabetes complications. The casualties are real and many.
Too Many Tragedies
In fact, in the difficult days following my Mom’s funeral, I sat at my desk one afternoon and began to write the names of all of the women whose funerals I had attended over the years of growing up in Mom’s hair salon. With each name I wrote–Doris, Hazel, Gloria, Thelma, and even my three paternal aunts Lois, Marguerite and Barbara–my spirit was struck by the enormity of these tragedies.
These beautiful, vibrant women and mothers were not elderly, but in their 30’s, 40’s, 50’s, and maybe their 60’s when they succumbed to massive heart attacks and strokes. Coming face-to-face with this was the wake-up call that changed my life and work forever as I resolved to do my part to protect and preserve Black women’s lives, including my own.
Too few of us know that heart disease is the number-one killer of women in our country, and that Black women are most at risk.
According to the American Heart Association, heart disease kills nearly 50,000 Black women each year, and at far younger ages than other women.
Yet, only 1 in 5 of us believe that we are personally at risk, and only half of us are aware of the signs and symptoms of a heart attack. In fact, nearly half of Black women age 20 and older have some form of heart disease. These statistics must change, and it starts with us.
The Good News
The good news is, we have the power to turn this around, to protect our hearts, and to save our own lives. Now is the time to take action! And as we continue to navigate a global COVID-19 pandemic, never has it been more important to prioritize and protect our health.
So, I’m challenging you today and throughout the month of February to take hold of your heart health like never before, and to take these seven immediate steps (Life’s Simple 7®) recommended by the American Heart Association to lower your risk of heart disease:
- Manage your blood pressure
- Control your cholesterol
- Reduce your blood sugar
- Get active
- Eat better
- Manage your weight
- Stop Smoking
If you’re not sure how to get started, call your doctor or healthcare provider to start a conversation, and take advantage of the wealth of information and resources available online and at your local library to help you begin.
We Owe It To Those We Love
I started the Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness because I believe we can and must build a new legacy of longevity and well-being for all Black women. We owe it to ourselves and the people we love to do everything in our power to live our healthiest lives. I am reminded of how important this is every day when I enter my office and look up at the framed portrait of my mother that hangs on my wall. Her life and death taught me the most valuable lesson of all — that our health is our greatest wealth, and we have only one precious life to live.
Let’s begin the journey together to protect our most precious possession — us.
Take Control of Your Health
Also consider joining the Foundation’s FREE Project Live Well program as one way to jumpstart your physical activity and healthier habits; and join us on Saturday, February 20th for our 10th Annual Wear Red Day heart disease prevention event. You’ll leave with the information, inspiration and empowerment you need to take control of your health today.
We can do it!
Mark your calendars and join the Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness for our 10th Annual VIRTUAL National Wear Red Day Event & Celebration on Saturday, February 20th, 2021, 10:00am -12:00pm! Get the details >
The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness announced its partnership with national fashion brand Ashro to empower Black women to prioritize and transform their health. The partnership is an extension of the Foundation’s commitment to ‘Empower a Generation of Well Black Women’, and Ashro’s commitment to invest in the well-being of their customer base of predominantly Black women.
One Such Outstanding Woman is Lisa Peyton-Caire, Founder & CEO of The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness. Lisa joined us for Season Two of Onward & Upward with Leslie E. Royal, brought to you by Ashro.
Watch S2:E1: Prioritizing Your Health and Wellbeing with Lisa, live on 2/2/21.
Comments (10)
CJ Patterson
I am very happy to here about such a healthy senior citizen, that is also busy and making a difference in our culture. If you can, please send me information on getting involved with your ideas and your business. I am looking forward to keeping busy in a constructive way also. I am a senior citizen also, and try to stay healthy and busy. Staying healthy is the key to a long energetic life. Thank you for any information that you may decide to send to my e-mail, I will appreciate it.
Marilyn Emanuel
This is awesome. I’m 70 and do not take any prescribed medication.
Yes, I‘m living proof how exercise and eating right can take you to another level of health. I’m a certified personal trainer as well.
Is there an option or place for vendors such as myself to provide the target audience with health and wellness natural plant-based products? I recently became co-owner of a CBD online dispensary and the products are amazing. Endorsed and supported by a medical advisory board consisting of mainly females and 4 phenomenal black women including a OB/GYN and a state senator.
Thanks for your response!
Prophetesses Jones
We as women can start with self. Ask yourself, if I am what I eat, what R U feeding yourself? Yes we want to eat things from our heritage and culture. Yet, as for me, I’ve learned how to embrace my culture but out a spin on it and started eating from a healthy perspective. With that, I’ve challenged my family and my network of feiends. The more important question I constantly ask myself and I’m encouraging you to ask yourself this question. What legacy am I leaving behind?
Annie Smart
I have been buying your clothes for a long time now you know it is not only our Black women live at risk our Black men are at risk to can. You guys get together with Stacey Adam and come up with more men’s clothing
Victoria
Thank you so much Lisa for being obedient to the moving of your inner woman for the health and welfare of women especially black women. This is something that has come to life from your own tragic situations with the black women of your lineage so may God continue to manifest His purpose in your life as you bring awareness to us and fulfill purpose for Jesus all at the same time. This is your season to be a blessing to many through the gifts that God has given you for your family and lots of other women.
Sandra
Thank you Lisa for reaching out to us at this time. We are so focused and consumed with COVID-19 that we seem to forget about everything else that is threatening our lives.
Takasia Hatfield
Love the idea about health wellness.
frances williams
Do you have catalogs? Would like to order some of the beautiful wraps!
Ashro
Sure Frances, you can order a catalog online at https://www.ashro.com/cm/catalog-request/ (copy entire link into your browser). Or, email us at ashrowomen@gmail.com us your name and mailing address and we will enter your request.
It may take a few weeks to receive your book. In the meantime, you can also browse our virtual catalog online. Thanks for your interest!
Rosslun
This is awesome.