In Crisis? 
This week I am feeling immersed in the experience of being a woman. I cannot say that I wake up every day and consider what my womanhood means- but there are some days its all I can think of. Yesterday was one of those days, and today was too.
I had the pleasure of attending the YMCA-YWCA Winnipeg Women of Distinction Awards as a guest of one of the nominees- CBC Radio host Marcy Markusa. I have enjoyed working with Marcy over the years, largely due to her keen interest in making sure stories about mental health and mental illness in our community are being told.
The last time I attended the event was about 5 years ago when I was nominated by the board and staff of the Canadian Mental Health Association of Winnipeg. I know that being nominated is a great honour, and I was humbled to be in a category with so many amazing women who inspired me whom I questioned if I belonged in a category with.
I was reflecting on this feeling of unworthiness when I was talking to several of this year’s nominees, including:
Nancy Heinrichs, the Executive Director of Norwest Community Health Coop, a visionary leader when it comes to getting things done and servicing her community,
Simret Daniels, A SERC Sexuality & Reproductive Health Facilitator whose passion for her community and work is awe-inspiring, particularly in the areas of HIV and Female Genital Cutting,
Marie Christian, the Program Director and a founder of Voices, the youth in care network, who is the very essence of natural leadership,
and, of course, Marcy Markusa, CBC radio host and a woman who makes sure so many important stories in our community are told every day.
The idea of feeling undeserving came up often, including when the winners took the stage to speak. It reminded me of how often women are made to feel that we should be smaller in so many ways; physically and verbally, we need to fit the mold, get in the box that society has constructed for our role. Be quiet. However, so often at this event what I heard was a different message, of strength and encouragement. This is what inspires me and makes me hopeful.
Our host, Tina Keeper and her words on the legacy of women, what we elders pass on to new generations, were beautiful. Mayor Brian Bowman recognized and paid tribute to the women of politics, often held to an unreasonable double standard.
Highlights of the night include the wonderful, fierce thank you speech of Marie Christian: “Love courageous, be big and fearless”, or Marcy whom after an epic tribute to the women of her own family, and a deeply personal sharing of her own struggles to find her voice and feel her worth: “if you have not found your voice yet, there is still time”.
These women are mentors; they are powerful beacons for our next generation. I want to believe that when my sixteen year old niece goes on to win a Woman of Distinction Award in the future that she will not feel the need to explain it to others, to downplay her achievements, to make herself smaller. I want her to feel free to be big, and fearless, and heard.
And on another note of being woman…
I had the opportunity to join our SERC Brandon team as they put on a lunch and learn for approximately 20 folks on women’s health. Led by physiotherapist Tryna DeGagne under the auspicious title of: To Kegel or Not to Kegel, I was very impressed by the depth and breadth of the information provided- frankly every woman and man needs to understand what exactly their pelvic floor is doing for them and how essential it is to try and keep it healthy. It was Tryna’s matter of fact way that resonated the most with me, particularly when she talked about the many messages that woman get and internalize that really can do us damage.
I am leaving you with some of my key learnings on pelvic floor health and why you should spend 5 minutes thinking about it!
- It is important in managing urinary, bowel, and sexual function
- It is a myth that incontinence or pelvic pain after having a baby is normal
- We all have a pelvic floor! So all genders have the same muscles but are shaped different and can have different issues
- Pelvic floor issues can be due to weakness or tightness
- Kegels don’t fix everything
- Crunches don’t fix everything (thankfully)
- Pelvic floor physiotherapy can be an effective treatment for many issues
- 1 in 3 women have pelvic floor issues
- Women: wear cotton underwear, avoid internal soap, and moisturize
Final Notes- in honour of Mental Health Week which was last week, I encourage you to check out the #MHW2016 #GETLOUD campaign at http://getloud.mentalhealthweek.ca/
In honour of #nodietday, which occurred on May 6th, I encourage you and/or your workplace to learn about the Women’s Health Clinic Body Peace Zone campaign as Klinic and SERC have and get involved next year!