A group of women gathered together at Pioneer Hall in Grasmere on March 12 for an annual Women’s Health and Wellness Night.
Women of all ages milled about the community hall, engaging with various health and wellness representatives who were stationed at booths throughout the room. The women in attendance had the opportunity to learn about a variety of different wellness techniques and health care services that are available to women in the Elk Valley and the South Country.
A pharmacist, massage therapist, chiropractor and public health representatives were all on hand to answer questions from the public. There were also booths set up that represented different sides of wellness, including the 4H club, Pampered Chef, Doterra and Arbonne. See More Health and Fitness, a gym located in Jaffray also provided information for potential gym goers. One table held a stunning clear crystal and a young man keen on educating people about alternative energy healing.
The Fernie Women’s Resource Centre was also present, as well as the Elk Valley Suicide Task Force. Eveliene Eijsermans gave a short speech on behalf of the task force to remind the women in attendance that mental health is a key proponent of overall health.
“I think that many of us here know that many of our communities in the valley have recently been impacted by suicide and a few of us got together and basically agreed that we have to do something so here we are,” she said to the crowd. “We started with an information evening in Fernie with all the resources that our entire valley has to offer for all of our communities, including Jaffray, Baynes Lakes and Grasmere.”
She also noted that the task force was available to all residents of the Elk Valley and that they offer support as well as information, education and resources.
The event was hosted by the Triangle Women’s Institute in an effort to bring women together to talk about their own health and wellness. In recognition of the fact that isolation can be a huge toll on women in rural areas, the Grasmere Community Society had a booth set up to encourage local women to join a club or activity. Everything from book clubs to knitting circles were signing up eager participants.
After event goers had satisfied their curiosity and learned from each of the various tables, the night moved forward with a feature presentation and plenty of delicious, handmade snacks.
Michelle Gray is a pharmacist in Kimberley and an expert on hormone replacement therapy (HRT). She was the featured presenter for the night and gave a speech on HRT and the various medicinal uses. The crowd was captivated during her presentation, eagerly learning about how adding or subtracting hormones such as estrogen and progesterone can affect a woman’s body.
After her talk, Gray fielded questions from the crowd about personal use of HRT and more broad medical implications in turn.
The approximately 40 attendees left the event well educated and ready to think about how to improve their own health and wellness. Some of the attendees also went home with some sweet door prizes that were donated by the various groups in attendance at the event.
At a time where the importance of health care is at the forefront of everyone’s mind, the event helped to educate women in the Elk Valley about their choices.
editor@thefreepress.ca
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