Engage Her: Activating Women and MultiCultural Communities

Too often, the debate about the state of Americans’ health focuses exclusively on lifestyle choices and individual decisions. We know that is only part of the story. Increasingly, neighborhoods, schools and workplaces limit access to healthy food and physical exercise. Yet, we are beginning to see that multi-sector collaboration is creating healthier environments.

Over the past three years, Kaiser Permanente has worked with our community partners on a project called Photovoice (http://xnet.kp.org/newscenter/inthecommunity/2009/062609photovoice.html). Through Photovoice, residents are learning the basics of photojournalism and advocacy to create stories to promote social change. We have now released a video that showcases some of their amazing work and how it has resulted in important changes in their communities.

As the community voices highlighted in the Photovoice video show, the infrastructure in our communities too often impedes what used to be a simple way for children to exercise – walking or biking to school. Each of us has the power to drive awareness and action around creating safe places for kids to play and go to school, and encourage walking and biking to reduce childhood obesity rates.

Today is International Walk to School Day. I hope you took part in some way. If you joined in, please take a few moments to share your thoughts or pictures about the day here on this Safe Routes to School events page (http://www.facebook.com/kpthrive#/event.php?eid=160358436201&ref=mf).

A group of 26 women gathered at Flo and Ed Wong’s beautiful home Wednesday evening for the second Engage Her Silicon Valley Circle meeting. Multicultural women from all walks of life and diverse backgrounds gathered to meet, share, contribute and bond with one another. Crossing cultural lines and opening up their hearts and minds they were determined to step out of their traditional “silos” and connect with one another in a powerful, meaningful way.

The opportunity for positive change is upon us. Women are stepping up, taking leadership roles and engaging the community to take action in big and small ways. There are issues on a global and national scale. And there are issues in our own backyard. It is clear that there are many challenges ahead in regards to the economy, jobs, the environment, education, healthcare, civil liberties, immigration and more. But together, we can start the movement to change, one circle at a time.

I look forward to the next Engage Her Silicon Valley Circle in September (to be announced).