I Am My Sister’s Keeper A Huge Success

Women With A Vision and N’R Peace spear-headed the first conference dedicated to the health and community building of African American lesbians in the city of New Orleans.

With speakers throughout the day, a meet and greet mixer, pajama party, and worship service, the women of New Orleans gathered like never before.  Stay tuned for next years conference and enjoy the moments we captured from this year.

Our Space Launches

Our Space is a new initiative of Women With A Vision.  Its mission is to offer safe, respectful, free of judgment spaces for women and girls impacted by the sex trade and street economies to recognize and develop their goals, dreams and desires.  We also hope to use Our Space to foster community building and strategic action within the queer women’s and transgender communities in New Orleans.

There are five components to our program: self care, empowerment model, harm reduction, social justice, and popular education.

All of our activits are FREE. We receive fuind gfrom private contributions and foundation source to make it possible fo offer services completely free of charge.

Most of our activities are held at 1515 Salcedo.  Contact us to find out about our next event.

Lesbians And Breast Cancer

Are lesbians more at risk for Breast Cancer than our straight sisters? That depends. It is uncertain whether or not lesbians get more breast cancer. But what is certain, is that lesbians as a group have a higher incidence of certain risk factors known to be linked to breast cancer.

Those risk factors are:

• having nerver birthed a child,
• obesity
• smoking
• alcohol use

Medical studies show:

• The risk of breast cancer is reduced by as much as 50 percent for women who have had one child.
• Nearly 30 percent of lesbians are obese compared to 20 percent for women overall.
• Lesbians do not drink more than the general population, but have a greater history of problems with alcohol.
• Lesbians are also more likely to use tobacco.
• Lesbians are less likely to perform self-breast exams, get clinical breast exams and mammograms.

Another complicating factor is that lesbians are less likely to have health insurance, partially because many businesses do not offer domestic partner benefits.

Lesbians may be less likely to visit a doctor for fear of homophobia, or simply the uncofortableness associated with coming out.

For straight women, primary contact with the health care system is through reproductive health. since most lesbians do not use birth control or have children, they may miss early detections of breast cancer or other diseases that women who regularly visit the doctor may be screened for.

2008 Program – Women With A Vision And N’R Peace Presents I AM My Sister’s Keeper

N’R PEACE Inc. & Women With A Vision Inc. PRESENTS: “I AM MY SISTER’S KEEPER” 2008

Greetings to Our Women’s Health Conference Participants,
Women With A Vision Inc. and N’R PEACE  are thrilled to host a Women’s Health Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana. We are having this conference to promote health, wellness and to empower lesbians of color in the south. You can look forward to a variety of workshops with an outstanding selection of speakers. We hope that you have a wonderful time.

Hotel New Orleans Convention Center
New Orleans, Louisiana
December 12-14, 2008

AGENDA

Friday, December 12th
Afternoon
4:00 pm        Registration
Registration is $35(includes lunch on Saturday)
6:00-9:00pm        Meet & Greet

Saturday, December 13th
8:00-9:00am        Continental Breakfast
9:15-10:30am        Monica Dillon: “Does Your Mama Know?”
9:15-10:30am        Michele T. Guerin: “Financial Awareness”
10:45-12:00pm     Wendi-Autumn O’Neal: “Race and Class As It Relates To Us”
10:45-12:00pm     S. Mandisa Moore: “What’s it like being a young black lesbian in New Orleans?”
12:15-1:15pm         Lunch
12:15-1:15pm         Reverend Debreita “Brei” Taylor: “Key Note Speaker”
1:30-2:45pm        Brittany Jones: “Lesbian Networking in New Orleans How and Why”
3:00-4:15pm        Dimitre Blutcher & Deon Haywood: “Lesbian Health/ Safer Sex”
10:00-2:00am        Pajama Party (Cost $10)

Sunday, December 14th
8:00-9:00am        Continental Breakfast
10:00am        Worship Service at Freedom Fellowship UCC

What Are Lubricants For – Healthier Lesbian Sex

Women do produce their own vaginal lubricants, but sometimes a little extra is needed.  Lubricants help prevent irritation from friction during sex. with lube, sex toys will slide in and out easier, fingers and fists will glide inside her without tearing her vaginal tissue.  since the anus produces no lubricant of it’s own, lube is essential for any kind of anal penetration.

Some notes about lube:

• If you are using latex, such as a c condom or dental dam, be sure to use a water-based or silicone lubricant. pil based lubes will break down the latex.
• If you are using a silicone sex toy, do not use silicone lubricant. The silicone will break down your toy.
• If you are having oral sex, avoid lube with nonoxynol-9, as it may make your lips and tongue numb.

Lesbians And Pap Smears

Finding The Right Physician And Regular Check-ups

Lesbians are less likely to have had regular Pap smears.  This may be due to:

• A personal belief that there is no risk of STIs and cervical cancer
• Not being able to afford it
• Being told by health professionals that lesbians don’t need Pap smears
• Not routinely visiting a health professional for other reasons (e.g. for contraception)
• Difficulties finding a suitable health professional
• Previous experience of homophobia or fear of homophobia

Early changes in the cervix that can progress into cervical cancer have been found in lesbians.

Current national recommendations are that all women aged between 18 and 70 who have ever had sex need to have a Pap smear every two years.

Whilst the risk of cervical cancer for women who have only ever had sex with women is uncertain, it is advisable to discuss with a health professional knowledgeable in the area of sexual health whether you are at risk of cervical cancer and should consider having a Pap smear.

If you experience symptom like bleeding between periods, after menopause or following sexual activity or abnormal discharge you should see a health professional, even if your previous Pap smear result was normal.

Finding a health professional

A health professional who understands your health issues as a lesbian is important.  To find someone suitable you can:

• Ask friends
• Look for advertisements in the gay and lesbian press.

WWAV And CHAMPS Project Unshackle

Women With A Vision and CHAMP’s Project UNSHACKLE are joining together to mount a campaign to combat the sentencing of women who are sex workers under the 203-yr-old “crimes against humanity” felony-level law.

This law requires women to register as sex offenders for the next 10 years, placing ‘sex offender’ on their photo identification cards, among other prescribed penalties.

We are seeking funding to support the launch of a Women With A Vision/Project UNSHACKLE partnership to challenge this unjust sentencing law as part of a long-term plan address the larger web of injustices these women are moving through.

To help us with this effort contact Women With A Vision here.

For a full summary of this initiative go to our WWAV/CHAMPS Shackle Initiative page.

Mammogram Facts And Frequently Asked Questions

What is a mammogram, and why should I have one?

A mammogram is a safe, low-dose x-ray of the breast. It is still the best tool we have to find breast cancer early and save lives. All women age 40 and older should have a mammogram every 1-2 years.
What if I notice any changes in my breast?

* Mammograms are very useful, but they cannot find all problems.
* If you notice a change in your breast like a lump, thickening, or liquid leaking from the nipple, call your doctor or clinic right away.
* Many breast changes are not cancer, but only a doctor can know for sure.

How can I be sure I’m getting the best mammogram?

The FDA enforces The Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA). MQSA is a national law that approves all of the places where you can get a mammogram. This includes:

* Clinics
* Hospitals
* Doctors’ offices
* Mammogram vans
* The FDA MQSA also makes sure that all of the people who work there have the right training and education, including the people who:
o test the equipment to make sure it’s working.
o take your mammogram.
o study your mammogram.

What about my results?

* Your results should be mailed to you in 30 days.
* If you don’t get them in 30 days, call the clinic to ask for them.
* If you want a second opinion or if you change doctors, the law gives you the right to keep original mammograms.

What if I have a major problem with my exam or clinic?

* Talk with the person on staff whose job it is to handle problems and complaints.
* If your clinic can’t help you, don’t give up. Find out who approves your clinic. Make sure to get the company name, address, and phone number, and name of a person you can talk to.
* If that doesn’t fix your problem, call FDA at 1-800-838-7715.

What if I have breast implants?

* When you make your appointment, make sure to say that you have breast implants.
* If the clinic doesn’t accept patients with implants, ask them for the name and phone number of one that does.
* When you get to your appointment, remind the staff that you have implants.
* You will need a person who is trained to x-ray women with implants. Implants can hide breast tissue and make it harder to find problems.

Women With A Vision Receives VDay Leadership Award

Earlier in October of 2008, Eve Ensler’s V To The Tenth/V-day recognized Women With A Vision with the V-Day Leadership Award for the exemplary role they played as a leading women’s organization in your community.
Here’s what the letter from Eve Ensler’s group said:

This award was created to acknowledge individual women and a few organizations in the Gulf South that work to ensure an end to the physical, economic and environmental violence against women and girls in the region.  In granting you this award, we are honored to recognize you for your contribution to your own community through your work. You have embodied V-Day’s model of empowerment philanthropy and our intent is to assist you in your efforts to continue to transform your community and the people around you. This is part of the lasting influence we can contribute to the ongoing work of the Gulf South.

Once again, we congratulate you for this acknowledgment and an award well earned.  Thank you for your passion and commitment to your community. We salute your distinguished leadership as a women’s organization and your tireless commitment to the women in your community.

Way to go Women!!!!

Women With A Vision Medicaid Certification Program

Promoting Health & Wellness For All Women

Women With A Vision is a  Louisiana Medicaid Program Certified Application Center.  We regularly accept applications for women, children, and senior citizens on the following schedule:

Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays

Between 10:00am & 5:00pm

Tuesdays & Thursdays

Between 10:00am & 7:00pm

Please contact our office at (504)301.0428 and our staff will be happy to schedule an appointment for you on the second and third Saturday of every month.

Next Page »