Wisconsin Women of Color Inc. tackles
health, environment and economic empowerment
by Heidi M. Pascual
|
(Above) Outgoing
WWOCN President
Jo-Ann Moore
receives a special
award for her
outstanding
leadership during the
past year.
Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk (right) introduces Domonique Johnson
(far right), an 18-year old graduate who needs help in augmenting her
$24,000 scholarship at Marian College in Fond du Lac. WWOCN members,
led by Addrena Squires who pledged $1,000, contributed to Johnson's school
needs.
moving in that direction. "In 2007, Gov. Doyle proposed that by January 2009, 98 percent of Wisconsin residents will be covered by
insurance," she said. "The proposal is to expand BadgerCare to BadgerPlus, wherein children will be covered as well as adults
without minor children."
The Wisconsin Legislature is debating the issue now, she added. "We have a chance to make history," Johnson said, "so stay
tuned to the news!"
Lakshmi Sridharan has a Ph.D. in Environmental Science and worked in the WI Department of Natural Resources for many years
in a senior leadership post. She discussed the three important things that make up our environment: air, water, and land.
"Human beings affect the health of the environment, and the environment affects the health of human beings," Sridharan said.
"When we have 'Clean Air Action Days,' there is a high concentration of air pollutants. When the beaches are closed, it is because
there is a high concentration of algae and bacteria in the lakes. Good water quality is important. We have to make sure that our
sewer pipes do not cross-contaminate our drinking water pipes."
She explained that it is important to protect the ground water by making sure no heavy metals, chemicals and waste matter seep
into the ground. Industries that dispose of such harmful materials must be properly managed, she said. Today, Wisconsin has 40
landfills that are properly managed, she said, compared to more than 1,000 dumpsites about 50 years ago.
"Utilities that burn coal and oil to generate electricity pollute the air," Sridharan added. "We take in this polluted air through inhaling
and exhaling." Driving cars contributes to air pollution, Sridharan admitted, so she advised her audience, "Don't drive if it's not
necessary."
She also urged everyone to educate others about recycling and to write their legislators about introducing or co-sponsoring bills to
protect and conserve the environment.
Araceli Esparza, outreach services specialist from Dane County Office of Equal Opportunity, explained what she does to promote
minority businesses in Dane County. She observed that many minority populations are struggling with financial portfolios.
Esparza enumerated and explained steps toward financial freedom and stability, including increasing cash flow, consolidating
debt, creating an emergency fund, insuring proper income protection, getting advice from a financial advisor, tax-saving techniques,
and controlling finances.
Earlier in the day, Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk introduced 18-year old Domonique Johnson, who just got accepted at
Marian College in Fond du Lac under a $24,000 scholarship and who needs help in raising $3,300 to start schooling. Domonique
talked about why she wanted to go to college: to be a child psychologist and to be able to help others. With her mother unable to
work, Domonique has been working and studying at the same time. She graduated with a 3.9 GPA. Addrena Squires, former
WWOCN president, pledged to give her $1,000, and many WWOCN members followed suit.
It was a wonderful gathering, as always, with women learning from each other, helping others go to school through WWOCN
scholarships, and promoting women-owned businesses.
Elected to the WWOCN Board of Directors were Sadie Pearson, Agnes Cammer, and Araceli Esparza. Elected to the Regional
Networking Together Board were Sadie Pearson, Rachelle Ashley, P. Emraida Kiram, and Julia Lamp.
(Clockwise from top right)
Panelists Gale Johnson,
Lakshmi Sridharan, and
Araceli Esparza, discuss
critical issues on women's
health; environment; and
economic empowerment,
respectively. Gladis
Benavides introduces the
panelists
The Wisconsin Women of Color Network, Inc. (WWOCN)'s
annual leadership seminar held on July 14 was another
discussion-filled event. Three very important issues were
discussed thoroughly by panelists: women's health,
environment, and economic empowerment. The goal was to
be informed of what's going on, what's being done, and what
everyone can do to make things better, including voting for the
right candidates.
Gale Johnson, director of Wisconsin Well Woman Program,
shared her experiences in health care management
particularly the history of the program she now heads. "The
Wis. Well Woman Program started in 1994," Johnson said.
"We provide cervical and breast cancer screening for women,
especially those who are not insured or underinsured." She
reported that this program is part of the CDC National Breast
Cancer Treatment program that has had "peaks and valleys" in
terms of coverage (screening only or screening plus
treatment). Citing as an example the state of Massachusetts --
whose governor committed that everyone should have health
insurance -- Johnson said Wisconsin is