May is Women’s Health Month

DAYTON - Columbia County Health Systems (CCHS) will spend the month of May focusing on women ' s health iss ues as part of the Columbia County Wellness Project. So far, the Project has addressed diabetes, tobacco cessation, heart health, drug abuse and alcohol abuse.

The big event for May is a Women's Show that will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Liberty Theater on May 17. The intent of the Women's Show is for women to be empowered and encouraged to be their healthiest and feel great by looking at personal goals and growth.

The free event will include a salad lunch, roll and dessert for the first 125 people to arrive. The Show will feature three speakers and guests will enjoy a thrift shop fashion show and vendor displays in the theater annex during lunch.

"We are excited about celebrating women," said CCHS Public Relations Director Jody Martin. "The program is about empowering women to be and feel their best, living with purpose and intention, staying balanced and persevering with health and personal goals."

Columbia County Health Systems Dr. of Osteopathy Kim Abernethy will provide information and answer questions on "Hormonal Health." Ann Passmore, MSW from the Walla Walla YWCA will discuss personal safety. Passmore is involved in the Dayton Girl's Circle, an after-school program with a focus on strengthening resiliency among middle school girls, while teaching them how to build positive role models and how to be a good friend. Blue Mountain Couns eling' s Individual and Family Counselor Elisa Hope, LMHC will present a talk titled "Living with Intentionality."

"My heart is really to see women not just react to or survive their lives, but to really start living," said Hope. "We are all wired with unique gifts, passions and talents, and we will start finding far more peace and joy when we are living according to how we are each created and according to our core purpose and mission in this world."

"We feel that women have so much to share and having this Women's Show gives us that opportunity," said Martin. "Whether we are discussing hormones, our purpose, aspirations or personal awareness, we feel that each person's story and positive energy can be a support and help someone else. Women in our communities of Dayton, Waitsburg and Starbuck are part of that foundation that grows healthy communities. We are happy we can celebrate and support them through programs like this."