AWH/ ATask AWH names new board of directors

Asian Women for Health info@asianwomenforhealth.org via mailchimpapp.net	11:31 AM (3 hours ago)
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Breaking Barriers: Ensuring Equitable Care for Asian Americans Living with Parkinson’s Disease Anne, an Asian American living in Greater Boston first noticed her mother’s symptoms through recurring nightmares and frequent falls. Despite multiple visits to the primary care provider, her mother’s Parkinson’s diagnosis came years after symptoms were overlooked! Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a complex and progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects nearly one million people in the United States. However, despite the availability of treatments that can manage symptoms and improve quality of life, Asian Americans living with Parkinson’s often face significant barriers in accessing the care they need. Language barriers, cultural stigma, and a tendency to avoid discussing symptoms with healthcare providers have resulted in a significant knowledge gap, and many often suffer in silence, leading to delays in diagnosis and treatment.   To address these disparities, our ACCESS-PD Study (Advancing Comprehensive Care & Enhancing Service Standards in Parkinson’s Disease among Asian Americans) aims to identify cultural and systemic barriers that prevent Asian Americans from accessing equitable care. Click below to read our blog post, "Break Barriers: Ensuring Equitable Care for Asian Americans Living with Parkinson's Disease." Read Our Blogpost Here! So, if you or anyone in your circle provides care for their loved one with Parkinson's and is of Asian descent, please share your story or email us at accessPD@asianwomenforhealth.org  Email Us for the Survey! COMMUNITY CONVERSATION: SHARE YOUR HEALTHCARE EXPERIENCE  As part of our Community Conversation initiative, we want to hear about your healthcare experience! In return for your time, you will receive a $25 gift card!  -Must be of Chinese/Vietnamese descent.  Fill the google form here! Finding Genetic Clues to Kidney Health Through All of Us  Researchers using data from the All of Us Research Program found that a specific variant in the APOL1 gene can reduce the risk of kidney disease in people with other APOL1 variants that are typically linked to the disease. This discovery, supported by data from additional sources, highlights the potential for personalized approaches to kidney disease prevention and treatment! Join the All of Us Research Program Here! COMMUNITY RESOURCES GET INVOLVED Become a Partner! Access a diverse pool of community health workers from our Community Health Worker Training, you wouldn't otherwise reach with traditional recruitment channels. To learn more about becoming an employer partner, please email chw@asianwomenforhealth.org Learn more Your support enables us to continue making a meaningful impact! Together, we can empower more women to live healthier lifestyles and to address the disparities in healthcare among communities of color.  DONATE

September Newsletter Imposter Syndrome: You're Not a Fraud. Recognize and Overcome it.  Ever feel like a fraud? Like you're not good enough or have enormous emotions of dread, anxiety and insecurity that any minute you might be exposed? These thoughts are all part of a phenomenon known as Imposter Syndrome which unfortunately mostly occur in high achieving individuals.  In this newsletter article, we will explore what imposter syndrome is, why individuals experience it, and how to address it in the context of our post-pandemic world. Understanding Imposter Syndrome:  Imposter syndrome is a pervasive feeling of inadequacy despite evidence of competence and success. It's the nagging belief that you don't deserve your accomplishments and involves unfounded feelings of self-doubt and incompetence. It's a psychological pattern that affects individuals from all walks of life, manifests negative self-talk and is often accompanied with symptoms of anxiety and depression- regardless of their achievements.  Two clinical psychologists, Pauline Rose Clance and Suzanne Imes, first identified and named this phenomenon back in 1978.  Why Do People Experience Imposter Syndrome? Perfectionism: Many individuals with imposter syndrome set unrealistically high standards and expectations for themselves. They believe that unless they are perfect, they are unworthy of their successes.  Comparisons: Social media and the constant exposure to the achievements of others have fueled feelings of inadequacy. People often compare their behind-the-scenes struggles with others' carefully curated success stories. Attribution Bias: When we succeed, we often attribute it to external factors, luck, or help from others. Conversely, when we fail, we blame ourselves. This skewed perception reinforces imposter syndrome. Historical Factors: Past experiences, such as childhood messages, biases, trauma or academic pressures especially among Asian communities, can contribute to imposter syndrome. Workplaces especially have exacerbated in fostering this phenomenon among women- systematic racism, classicism, xenophobia, questions regarding leadership style and more have unfairly contributed to it.  Even famous women- from Hollywood superstars such as Charlize Theron and Viola Davis to business leaders such as Sheryl Sandberg and even former First Lady Michelle Obama and Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor - have confessed to experiencing it.  "I'm often made to feel invisible or that my contributions really didn't matter. I'm often told I am aggressive meanwhile have others talking over me and cutting me off. Or have had at times been told I am not confident, but my Asian upbringing and my cultural values are important to me. So which is it really?" - Vivian W. Huang, MD, MPH Meet Vivian, an accomplished medical physician who has had some amazing experiences and have had the honor and privilege to work with Doctors Without Borders and assigned to Syria and Swaziland and have also worked in history's worst Ebola outbreak in 2015 with Partners In Health in Sierra Leone! The COVID-19 Connection Imposter syndrome has been made significantly worse by the COVID-19 epidemic. Feelings of inadequacy have been exacerbated by the rapid change to remote work and the blending of personal and professional boundaries, which have brought forth new issues. Isolation and Loneliness Physical separation from coworkers and friends during lockdowns and other social exclusionary tactics has exacerbated feelings of loneliness and isolation. Since they no longer had the in-person support and validation they had previously relied on, for many people, this isolation made their imposter syndrome worse. Job Insecurity The economic turmoil caused by the pandemic resulted in job losses, layoffs, and financial instability for many. The fear of job loss and uncertainty about the future intensified imposter syndrome, as individuals felt that their job security was tied to their performance during a challenging time. For this reason, we have partnered with Anise Health to host a workshop about Imposter Syndrome, where we will unpack the causes of this phenomenon, review techniques to recognize and address it, and explore potential solutions to combat it and feel a stronger sense of self-esteem! Dr. Sheetal Ajmani will be the speaker who is a life coach and founder of Radiant Living Institute among many other accomplishments. Lunch and Learn Workshop is scheduled to take place virtually on Friday, September 29th, 1PM to 2PM EST  Register Here to attend!  Tackling Imposter Syndrome Addressing imposter syndrome is crucial for personal well-being and professional growth, especially in the context of the pandemic's lingering effects. Here are some strategies to help combat imposter syndrome: Acknowledge Your Achievements: Take time to recognize and celebrate your accomplishments. Keep a journal of your successes and revisit it when self-doubt arises. Recite your accomplishments in front of a mirror and tell yourself you're worthy of it all!  Seek Support: Share your feelings with trusted friends, family members, or a therapist. Often, talking about imposter syndrome can help you gain perspective and support. Challenge Negative Thoughts: When self-doubt creeps in, question the validity of your thoughts. Ask yourself for evidence that supports your competence and worthiness. Set Realistic Expectations: Understand that perfection is unattainable. Set achievable goals and recognize that making mistakes is a natural part of growth. Practice Self-Compassion: Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding you would offer a friend facing similar challenges. It's acceptable to have imposter syndrome, especially during uncertain times like the covid-19 epidemic. Even in these trying times, we can break free from its hold on our lives and succeed in both our personal and professional goals by admitting it and taking action to solve it. Remember that you are not alone in feeling inadequate but try to turn these feelings into one of gratitude and positivity. We at Asian Women for Health are here to help and support to get you through these feelings! See you all at our Lunch and Learn Workshop this September 29th!    Best Regards, Ameena Qayyum  Communications Coordinator    Sources for the article:  1. https://hbr.org/2021/02/stop-telling-women-they-have-imposter-syndrome#:~:text=Imposter%20syndrome%20is%20loosely%20defined,they're%20deserving%20of%20accolades. 2. https://www.betterup.com/blog/what-is-imposter-syndrome-and-how-to-avoid-it 3. https://www.verywellmind.com/imposter-syndrome-and-social-anxiety-disorder-4156469 4. https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/imposter-syndrome JOIN OUR TEAM Asian Women for Health is hiring for a role in the organization in Boston, Massachusetts.  Bilingual Program Manager — Health Equity Research The Program Manager is responsible for overseeing one or more programs/projects related to Health Equity for Asian women and other underrepresented groups of people. This person acts as the project manager (we believe in Agile), ensuring all activities for the program are planned, coordinated and executed. The Program Manager is responsible for tracking costs and activities related to the program and reporting them to the funders and other key stakeholders. To be considered, please send a resume and cover letter to ebraun@asianwomenforhealth.org To learn more about the job responsibilities, click here! UPCOMING EVENTS Community Health Worker Training Program Hybrid Classes Begin: September 27th  Final Call to Apply!  Become a Community Health Worker Today! We are actively interviewing candidates for our Fall Cohort- The training program provides an opportunity for participants to enter the public health sector with support from CHW job training to placement with our employer partners.  Register Here to apply!  Fundraiser for Social Impact Film- At What Cost At What Cost is an independent short film led by BIPOC women and film students of Boston University in collaboration with Asian Women For Health. 20% of the proceeds will go to our organization out of the $8000 Goal from the Go Fund Me Campaign. So, we humbly ask our community members to donate generously to the cause!  The film gives voice to the BIPOC immigrant community and struggling artists whose stories are often not represented in the popular media. In collaboration with AWFH, we will be having a premiere in December 2023 to reach the Boston community.  Lunch and Learn Workshop: Covid-19's Impact on Postpartum Depression and Maternal Health  Friday, October 20th, 2023 1PM to 2PM EST  Join us at our Zoom workshop where we'll talk about dealing with Postpartum Depression and Maternal Health post Covid-19. In Partnership with Ahma & Co.  Register Here to attend!  IMPORTANT NEWS A victorious win for all-AWFH has long been advocating for Data Equity in Research. Governor Maura Healey signed this bill in law that will combat harmful racial biases in data. The new law mandates the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to collect, organize, and assemble public data on major ethnic groups, of which each major Asian group including but not limited to Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, Korean, and Vietnamese—composes more than 466,000 Asian American residents living in the state. All thanks Tackey Chan and others for leading this initiative! Click Here to view the bill.  COMMUNITY RESOURCES Breastfeeding Workshop BCNC Family Services is facilitating an 8-10 Parenthood Health online workshop Series for expecting families from July to December. Parenthood Health Series consists of various topics to offer resources and pregnancy health tips to families, help families prepare for newborns, care for mothers’ perinatal health. For the month of September, they are inviting Tufts Medical Center to give a workshop on breastfeeding positions, pumping, and storage. Project Bread, a Nonprofit in MA is  launching a Council of Experts With Lived Experiences. They are looking for applicants from the Vietnamese and Chinese communities to share their experience with hunger, and to help them co-create new solutions based on their insights. Members will receive compensation for their time and expertise and can become a leader in their community. Application forms are available in multiple languages. Learn more here!  Stanford Medicine is hosting three online group discussions for LGBTQIA+ elders to share their opinions, thoughts, challenges, and solutions to healthcare and health research. Participants will be given a $50 gift card for participating in this study. If you are interested in participating, you can use this link to sign up. Find A Vaccine Clinic Near You! Participate in Research!  Sign Up for All Of Us! GET INVOLVED Become a Partner! Access a diverse pool of community health workers from our Workforce Development Initiative, you wouldn't otherwise reach with traditional recruitment channels. To learn more about becoming an employer partner, please email WDI@asianwomenforhealth.org. Learn more Volunteer with Us! We are always looking for year round support to help us in communications, programs, outreach, and development. If you have any relevant experience or interest, fill out our volunteer interest form below and a member of our staff will get in touch with you as soon as we can!

As we celebrate International Women's Month, it's essential to acknowledge the importance of intersectionality in the fight for gender equity. It's crucial to recognize and elevate the stories of women of color who have made significant contributions to their respective fields, often facing unique challenges and barriers in their journeys. Asian women have made invaluable contributions to the field of public health and medicine, but their achievements have often been overlooked or dismissed. So for this month's newsletter, let's come together to shine a spotlight on two of these trailblazing women!   Tu YouYou Tu Youyou is a Chinese pharmaceutical chemist and researcher who was awarded the Nobel Prize in 2015 for her groundbreaking discoveries related to the use of traditional Chinese herbal medicine in the fight against malaria. Tu's work led to the development of artemisinin, a drug that has saved countless lives and is now widely used as a frontline treatment for malaria. Click here to learn more how she changed the world and inspired countless scientists and researchers around the world! Anandi Gopal Joshi Dr. Anandi Gopal Joshi was a pioneering Indian physician who became one of the first female doctors in modern medicine. Despite facing numerous obstacles and discrimination as a woman in the 19th century, she pursued her dream of studying medicine and traveled to the United States in 1886. Click here to learn more about how her trailblazing achievements continue to inspire women in India and around the world to pursue careers in medicine and healthcare! To learn more, follow our Instagram (@asianwomenforhealth) where we'd be posting highlights on Asian trailblazers all month!  As we close out this month's newsletter, we wish all of our readers an exciting and restful month ahead. Remember to take time for self-care and to celebrate the accomplishments of yourself and those around you    Best, Hilary Wong Advocacy and Partnerships Coordinator ANNOUNCEMENTS Launching our Workforce Development Initiative! We are thrilled to announce the launch of our Community Health Worker Training Program! Our first cohort is now underway, and we are excited to be providing participants with the tools and knowledge they need to enter the public health sector and make a difference in their communities.  Community Health Workers are often on the front line of addressing health inequities by addressing obstacles like language barriers, cultural stigmas, and a lack of access to life saving or preventative care. As such, AWFH is proud to be offering this workforce development initiative as part of our mission to make healthcare more culturally competent for the Asian American community. If you're interested in joining one of our future cohorts, fill out our interest form!   Join our List of Employment Partners!   If you're interested in having access to a diverse pool of culturally competent community health workers from our Workforce Development Initiative, partner with us so you can recruit talent that you may not otherwise reach with traditional recruitment channels! To learn more about becoming an employment partner, please email WDI@asianwomenforhealth.org. Become an Ambassador for Health Equity! The Equitable Health Project is a paid ambassadorship program that empowers and mobilizes young adults passionate about public health to become champions for health equity in their communities. This upcoming cohort will run from March 24th to June 2nd where ambassadors will learn about the intersection of research, data, and vaccine equity with an added focus on how community advocates can work to address issues of hesitancy within the Asian-American community. Ambassadors will receive a $1000 stipend to gain hands-on, practical experience in developing culturally responsive resources and organizing their own outreach events that are strategically tailored to the unique needs and concerns of Asian-American communities. Apply today by visiting our website! UPCOMING EVENTS Mental Health Workshop Thursday, March 30th @ 12PM This month, Zarin Yaqubie from Arab-American Family Support Center (AAFSC) will lead a workshop on how Healthy Minds Healthy Life is designed to address common mental health concerns and provide tipsfor how to tackle anxiety, depression and trauma. RSVP for the event by clicking here! COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

Get paid to get boosted by the end of March! "The Making of Asian America: A History" by Erika Lee Click here to learn more this book that explores the history of Asian Americans, including the contributions of Asian women throughout history. "Brown Girl, White Coat" hosted by Saie Joshi Click here to listen to Saie Joshi create space to encourage diversity in medicine and provide a realistic perspective on what medical school is "really like" as an Asian women! Click here for a helpful list of eating disorder resources from Massachusetts Asian + Pacific Islanders for Health! 在三月底之前获得接种疫苗的报酬! Ask your legislator to be a champion of health justice! Click here to send an automatic message! Did you miss our March Social on Healthy Eating on a Budget? Click here to view the recording and learn about how you can easily add nutrition to your diet and manage your illness and/or symptoms using cultural recipes! Click here for some resources about how eating disorders affect the API community!

WHY I DONATE TO AWFH... "As a donor, I know that every dollar raised will make it possible for more Asian women to connect, heal, and access the health resources they need to become stronger advocates for themselves and each other. I’ve seen firsthand how women have grown stronger in their knowledge and capacity for resilience and self-care through their connection with Asian Women For Health’s peer network, programs, and community resources. They learn to pay it forward by sharing their lived experiences as mentors, wellness coaches, and health advocates. And when women thrive, all those around them - families and communities - benefit as well."   Audrey Paek Donate Today! COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS "As a donor, I know that every dollar raised will make it possible for more Asian women to connect, heal, and access the health resources they need to become stronger advocates for themselves and each other. I’ve seen firsthand how women have grown stronger in their knowledge and capacity for resilience and self-care through their connection with Asian Women For Health’s peer network, programs, and community resources. They learn to pay it forward by sharing their lived experiences as mentors, wellness coaches, and health advocates. And when women thrive, all those around them - families and communities - benefit as well." - Audrey Paek GET INVOLVED Join our Team! We are currently hiring for various full-time, hybrid positions. If you're interested, please check out our website for job descriptions and how to apply! Learn more Volunteer with Us! We are always looking for year round support to help us in communications, programs, outreach, and development. If you have any relevant experience or interest, fill out our volunteer interest form below and a member of our staff will get in touch with you as soon as we can!  Fill out our interest form! GOT ADS? We are proud to offer advertising opportunities within our monthly newsletter that reaches over 2,000 subscribers each month. Our newsletter is a great way to promote your products, services, or initiatives to our audience while also supporting our mission to advance the health and wellness of Asian women and the larger AAPI community. To learn more about advertising opportunities, please contact our Advocacy & Partnerships Coordinator at hwong@asianwomenforhealth.org. Don't miss this opportunity to promote your business or cause while also making an impact for underserved communities!

As 2022 comes to an end, we want to take a moment to thank you for all your kindness and generosity. At Asian Women for Health (AWFH), we are dedicated to advancing Asian women's health and wellness through education, advocacy, and support. We envision a world where Asian women are well-informed, have access to optimal quality care, and support that everyone deserves. While we have made some great strides, AWFH still has a lot to accomplish. We need your support to continue pursuing our mission. Even the smallest donation can make a big difference. Would you consider making a recurring gift to help us achieve health equity for the Asian community? For every $1000 we raise, you can help us host Mental Health First Aid trainings for community members to recognize and mitigate mental health and substance use issues in our communities. For every $2500 we raise, you can help us train a linguistically and culturally competent community health worker through our Workforce Development initiative. For every $5000 we raise, you can help us train Achieving Whole Health peer facilitators to provides a creative, interactive, and culturally relevant way of improving holistic health outcomes for Asian women and girls. Donate Now Your donation can make a big impact on someone's life Donate Now Thank you for caring! With your donation, we're one step closer to advancing health equity for Asian women.

DECEMBER 2022 We here at Asian Women for Health would like to wish everyone a happy and restful holiday for the upcoming winter season! To celebrate the end of the year, we will be hosting a Holiday Social for all our community members (RSVP required) on December 15th at the CIC Boston, 15th floor from 5-7PM. There will be an in-person mocktail demonstration where you will get a chance to make your own mocktails and we'll learn more about how we can support friends or family who are working towards sobriety.   RSVP here However, we recognize that the holidays can be a very difficult time and as such, here are some resources for how to support yourself or loved ones in your sobriety journey:   Trying to Stay Sober This Holiday Season? We've Got You Covered by Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation How To Celebrate the Holidays In Recovery by Holly Jespersen (on Shatterproof) We will discuss and provide more resources at the upcoming social, and we hope to see you there!   Sincerely, Hilary Wong Communications and Partnerships Coordinator UPCOMING EVENTS Lunar New Year Friendraiser Thursday, January 19th, 6-8PM EST RSVP here MHFA Community Participant Training Wednesday, January 25th, 10AM-5PM EST Register here ANNOUNCEMENTS Welcoming New Staff We are thrilled to welcome Lore Huynh as our Case Manager, and Lan Nguyen as our Communications & Development Manager to the AWFH team. We can't wait to see all that they accomplish! Community Health Workers Training Program Asian Women for Health (AWFH) is excited to announce our new Community Health Workers Workforce Development Initiative for this upcoming Spring 2023. With the pandemic exacerbating a lot of pre-existing health disparities and inequities in the Asian community, AWFH have developed this training program as an upstream solution to provide more culturally competent and linguistically appropriate care by training unemployed or underemployed individuals to become community health workers (CHWs) in their communities. However, despite the crucial role of CHWs to help marginalized communities overcome obstacles like language barriers or a lack of health literacy to access vital and life-saving services, Asians are still severely underrepresented. Thus, it’s more important than ever to provide these opportunities to upskill those who may lack higher education credentials, but still have the passion and drive to break into the medical or research sector as health advocates.  By training students with lived experience, they would be better equipped to serve as the bridge between their communities and the institutions with resources to help them. This not only allows AWFH to help underserved individuals access a lucrative career pathway to self-sufficiency by breaking into the healthcare industry, but to also directly increase the level of cultural responsiveness in these existing institutions. To better support students of all socioeconomic and educational backgrounds, our in-house Case Manager will also provide extensive social services support and job readiness training to guide students in their job search process.  For more information about our upcoming training program, please check out the recruitment flier below!    Apply here NEW PODCAST EPISODE From Resilience to Radience Episode #28: The Healing Power of Personal Narrative & Kidney Health Advocacy with Sabrina Lu Qiao                                               Do you know Asians are at higher risk for kidney disease? At the age of 17, Sabrina Lu Qiao was diagnosed with a rare, autoimmune kidney disorder called Minimal Change Disease (MCD), which affects the filtering capacity of the kidneys and can increase one’s risk of developing Nephrotic Syndrome.  In this episode, Sabrina recounts how common teenage angst was exacerbated by the side effects of steroid treatment, including water weight gain, body dysmorphia, and emotional distress. She tapped into the healing power of personal narrative and testimony that has led her to advocate and share her story with fellow patients and communities.  As a passionate writer and journalist, Sabrina draws on her lived experience to inform and empower others along their health journeys. She also reflects on the ways her cultural identity continues to inform her personal growth and resilience.  Listen on Soundcloud Listen on Apple Podcast For more Podcasts, visit our website This episode was generously sponsored by... COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS This is the first survey of its kind that is designed to focus specifically on Chinese Americans. The survey findings will be used to inform policymakers and the public on policies and programs that can better serve the needs of Chinese American communities across the country. State of Chinese Americans Survey UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS Fenway Health Holiday Health Fair: Menstruation Product Drive Saturday, December 10th, 11AM-2PM EST Click here for more details! Click here for more details! Click here for more details! GET INVOLVED Join our staff! We are currently looking for an Operations Director to join our team. These are both full time positions and if you have any questions, feel free to ask us via info@asianwomenforhealth.org If you're interested in the position, please check out our job postings for more information and details to apply! Click here Volunteer with us! We are always looking for year round support to help us create content for our social media, blog, and/or newsletter. If you have any relevant experience or interest, fill out our volunteer interest form below and a member of our staff will get in touch with you as soon as we can!  Volunteer Interest Form THANK YOU FOR READING TILL THE END I'm glad you're here, and you've made your way through our entire newsletter!  Do you have any ideas on how we can improve our newsletter? Anything you'd like to see moving forward?  We'd love to hear them!  Fill out the short survey below so we can make our monthly newsletter something you look forward to every month    Link to Survey GOT ADS? Are you interested in advertising in our newsletter to reach our audience of over 2,000 subscribers? Please email our Communications & Partnerships Coordinator, Hilary (hwong@asianwomenforhealth.org) to get in touch!  Volunteer.   Subscribe.

Share Tweet Forward Read on our Website We are so excited to welcome Nandini and Ingrid to the board, and are looking forward to seeing what they accomplish alongside Adam, the new Chair, and Amali, the new Clerk of our board.   To learn more about our Board of Directors Visit our website to read more about their diverse backgrounds!

Join our Celebration!   The Silk Road Gala is 1 week away!  Join us in celebrating 30 years of empowering Asian survivors of domestic violence and abuse. We look forward to welcoming you to an inspiring event with individuals who have dedicated their lives to improving the lives of others. Together, we can make the impossible possible for survivors. To learn more about our important work, visit www.atask.org.   Program of Events: Welcome by Emcee Janet Wu Message from Co-Executive Directors Cristina Ayala & Dawn Sauma Fireside Chat with June Millington of Fanny, Inductee of the New England Music Hall of Fame, and Co-founder and Artistic Director of the Institute for the Musical Arts (IMA) A Survivor's Journey toward a life of safety and independence Musical Performance by June Millington Closing Remarks by ATASK Board Chair Poonam Patidar

Attend the Gala Please register to receive a link to the event.   If you are not able to attend, register and you will receive  the recording after the event. REGISTER

Support ATASK Your donation will help survivors rebuild their lives.  DONATE Sponsor the Silk Road Gala Levels start at $1,000   SPONSOR

Thank you to our current sponsors!

www.atask.org PO Box 120108 Boston, MA 02112 EIN: 04-3103354 Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser Unsubscribe

July 2022  Artwork by Ashley Lukashevsky As an organization that exists to improve the health of all and to equip women with the tools to take care of themselves, recent national headlines have left us hurting. As a founding partner of the BIWOC Gathering Circle, we have are issuing this statement along with our sister organizations: The BIWOC Gathering Circle was created on the principle that healthcare and wellness are a right, not a privilege, for women of color, communities of color, LGBTQIA+, and gender-expansive communities.  The Supreme Court's decision on Friday, June 24th, puts at risk the health and bodily autonomy of women of color and all people who can get pregnant. The ruling will have harmful consequences for women of color and all people who can get pregnant who do not have the resources or access to reproductive health care in states where legal abortion is available.  It is essential to recognize that our right to make personal autonomous healthcare decisions about our bodies is interconnected with other rights, such as making intimate, private decisions about healthcare, marriage, family planning, child-rearing, and education. BIWOC Gathering Circle is committed to our core beliefs in the right to make autonomous decisions about our bodies, equitable healthcare, and the right to have access to health resources and support. Access to abortion and reproductive health services remains legal in Massachusetts. Please use the resources below and share them with your community.    Reproductive Health Services:  Beth Israel Lahey Health  Boston Medical Center Obstetrics & Gynecology  Fenway Health Obstetrics & Gynecology  Fenway Health Transgender Health & Trans and Gender Diverse Youth Care  Mass General Brigham Obstetrics & Gynecology Planned Parenthood League of MA  Resources:  Birth Control Across The Gender Spectrum  End of Roe v Wade: Implications for Male Partners  Opinion: Guardian - Black women could see a 33% increase in pregnancy-related deaths post-Roe. Why? Opinion: NYT - Abortion Pills Will Change a Post-Roe World Planned Parenthood Guide to Abortion Laws  Plan C Pills Shout Your Abortion Donate:  Feminist Women's Health Center Fund Texas Choice Keep Our Clinics   Michigan Reproductive Freedom for All Midwest Access Coalition Mississippi Reproductive Freedom Fund National Network of Abortion Funds  Repro Legal Defense Fund ANNOUNCEMENTS Staff Changes Our Program Director, Edward Hsieh, Program Coordinator, Kim Huynh, and Health Advocate, Phung Luu, have all moved on to pursue their passions in other fields. We wish them the best and are grateful for the contributions they made for Asian Women for Health and the community at large! Open Positions We're hiring an Operations Director, Communications & Development Manager, Program Manager, and Program Coordinator/Admin Assistant! Click the button below to view all of our job postings and for more information about how to apply.  Apply Today Awards Chien-Chi received the Excellence in Community Service Award at the Chinese Culture Connection's 17th Annual Fundraising Gala on June 11 for her dedication in supporting Asian women’s health and wellness through education and advocacy.  Grants AWFH joins 12 other grassroots organizations as recipients of the 2022 Community Impact Grant from The Boston Women's Fund. The Community Impact Grant is awarded to organizations that support their communities through outstanding systems change work, leadership development, and community organizing.  NEW BLOG POST Traditional Chinese Medicine  by Dr. Agnes M. Costello "At a young age, my grandparents always referred to health as a balance between the ying and yang, the hot and cold..." In this blog post, Dr. Costello talks about the balance of integrating Traditional Chinese Medicine into Western practices. Chinese herbs have medicinal properties, but when taken in excess, can lead to harmful effects. Read the Post NEW PODCAST EPISODE From Resilience to Radiance Episode #27: Healing Work: Defining Survivorship after Hodgkin's Lymphoma  with Nayonika Chatterjee A cancer survivor’s journey extends well beyond the period of medical treatment. In this episode, we talk to our special guest, Nayonika Chatterjee, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma at the age of 14. Hodgkin’s lymphoma is among the most common types of cancers that affect teens and their lymphatic systems. Nayonika reflects on her own healing as a lifelong process of adaptation, struggle, and transition, but a journey that continues to lead her to greater self-awareness, resilience, and hope. She recognizes healing as a non-linear path, where survivors can choose how they share their personal stories. As a graduate student at Brandeis University, Nayonika plans to research how individuals of South Asian descent uniquely experience their cancer journeys and engage in survivor discourse. Her goal is to elevate people's voices to show the humanity behind their lived experiences and to explore how culture and language intersect and influence their well-being. If you are interested in learning more about Nayonika's research, you can email her at nchatterjee@brandeis.edu.    Listen on SoundCloud Listen on Apple Podcasts For More Podcasts, visit our website!  UPCOMING AWFH EVENTS

Wellness for All of Us: Wellness Workshops Last month, we launched our Wellness for All of Us Campaign with our East Region Partners from the All of Us Research Program. To continue our campaign, we will be hosting a different wellness workshop each month for participants to learn a new wellness practice and to get to know what the research program is all about. Compilation video with AWFH, GBCGAC, KCSC, India Home, and CSEA Join the Study Acupressure Workshop Acupressure is a traditional Chinese medicine practice that involves treating blocked energy, or qi, by applying manual pressure to specific points on the body. It is similar to acupuncture, except that it uses fingertip pressure instead of needles. We are joined by Bing Yang, who will teach some basic pressure points to improve sleep, energy, emotion, memory and preserve good health. Learn how to locate your pressure points and how to apply the acupressure method in your daily life. Register Asian American Mental Health Forum Registration is now open for the 13th Annual Asian American Mental Health Forum on July 30th, 2022! This is a free event and open for all to attend. To keep up-to-date with this year's event, visit our FB page here. Register We are seeking sponsors who are invested in better understanding mental health and responding to communities in need. Sponsorships are essential to ensuring that the conference remains free for all attendees.  Sponsor the Forum 2022 CelebrASIANS Benefit Fashion Show Please save the date for our 2022 CelebrASIANS Benefit Fashion Show on Sunday, October 3rd. We are returning to an in-person event this year with the option to join virtually. For more information about the event, please visit our webpage. COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS