"Women of the World Conference" May 9th

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACT: Lisa Schemmel

April 27, 2009 P: (608) 251-1675; C: (608) 235-6242; E: Lschemmel@wwhf.org







“Healthy Soul Food Cooking” Best Selling Authors to Kick Off Free Health Conference for Women of Color

Wisconsin Women’s Health Foundation and National Kidney Foundation of Wisconsin

Presenting “Women of the World Conference” on May 9





Milwaukee – The 16th Annual Women of the World Conference, a Milwaukee tradition, empowers women of color to become better advocates for their own health. This free health education event, which features a heart-healthy breakfast & lunch, presentations, exhibits, health screenings, and the ability to meet one-on-one with medical experts, will take place on Saturday, May 9 at the Italian Conference Center , 631 E. Chicago St. , from 7:00am – 2:00pm. The conference has been lengthened by nearly two hours this year to give women more time for health screenings. Hundreds are expected to attend.



Featured conference speakers, Fabiola Gaines and Roniece Weaver, Healthy Soul Food Cooking top selling authors and Hebni Nutrition Consultants co-founders, will be demonstrating how to cook healthier soul food without losing traditional flavor. “The strong tradition of soul food in the African American community is taking its toll on the health of African Americans. The liberal use of salt and sweeteners in traditionally prepared soul food is killing African Americans,” says Gaines and Weaver. “We believe that much of the hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, and other diseases plaguing African Americans can be avoided by making simple modifications in diets, meal planning and cooking styles.”



Presented by the Wisconsin Women’s Health Foundation and the National Kidney Foundation of Wisconsin in partnership with a planning committee of health care professionals and community leaders, the Women of the World Conference also features the expertise and talent of several other presenters including:


• Keynote Speaker, Linda Hotchkiss, MD: Being Healthy During Difficult Times
• Timolin Boyd, DDS: More Than A Pretty Smile: Women and Oral Health (the #1 requested topic from last year’s conference attendees)
• Pamela Robbins, RN, BSN; Matricia Patterson 2-1-1- @ IMPACT; Katie Gaulin, Community Advocates: When in Doubt Check It Out – Advocate for Yourself and Others



Free health screenings will include: blood pressure, blood sugar/glucose, glaucoma and vision, cholesterol, and urine analysis (kidney), podiatry and foot care, body mass index, smoking assessment, dental, rapid HIV, and alcohol and drug assessment.



A Web site has been developed for the conference which includes detailed information and online registration. For more information visit wowconference.org, or contact the National Kidney Foundation of Wisconsin at (262) 821-0705, ext. 10.




The Wisconsin Women’s Health Foundation (WWHF) is a statewide non-profit organization whose mission is to help Wisconsin women and their families reach their healthiest potential. WWHF provides programs and conducts educational forums that focus on prevention, early detection and connecting individuals to resources; produces and distributes the most up-to-date educational and resource materials; and, awards grants and scholarships to women health researchers and related community non-profits. To learn more, visit www.wwhf.org.



Founded in 1968, the National Kidney Foundation of Wisconsin is a non-profit health charity dedicated to preventing kidney and urinary tract diseases, improving the health and well-being of individuals and families affected by these diseases, and increasing the availability of all organs for transplantation. To learn more, visit www.kidneywi.org.