As women of color, we do it all.  We are mothers, sisters, daughters, wives, cousins, aunts, girlfriends, and friends.  All of this, while having careers, holding down the household, and taking care of the ones we love.  As if we were Superwoman, we tend to take it upon ourselves to do it all!  Even though, while doing this, we neglect ourselves.

In education for about 14 years, Chrishirella has graduate degrees in educational leadership, and her work is based on working with young people in grades K-12; something she loves. 

It was an unexpected bout with fibroids that woke her up and made her realize that she needed to pay more attention to her health.  “When I had those fibroid tumors, it scared me to pieces!”  Now, she makes sure that she does what she has to do to prevent those fibroids from coming back.  She takes a shitake mushroom extract and certain herbs on a regular basis, but it’s the frame of mind that’s most important for her.  Addressing her whole self; mind, body and soul, is what has helped

Mind – Every morning Chrishirella wakes up and meditates on an affirmation.  She finds something that speaks to her and takes hold of it and meditates on it.  It’s what helps get her day going. “It helps me to focus my day, it quiets my thoughts,” she explained.  “Because when you wake up in the morning, you’re thinking about the millions of things that you have to do.”

Taking care of her mind is one way that Chrishirella relieves stress.  Spoiling herself is another.  Whether it’s going to the movies by herself or indulging in a luxurious bubble bath, this diva loves doing her and spoiling herself.  She doesn’t expect others to treat her to those special things; she does it for her!  She even has a little acronym for stress:

It’s a

Sister’s

Time to

Rejuvenate,

Exfoliate those negatives, and get in the

Spirit of

Self!

Body – Not only does girlfriend take care of her mind, but she’s exercises to take care of her body.  Chrishirella has been doing Fat Burning Pilates for four or five years. “Its high energy and then I can do the routine!  I don’t feel like I have two left feet!” she laughed.  Chrishirella also makes sure that she eats the right foods. The vegetarian is now incorporating raw foods into her diet.  She credits her vegetarian mother for making sure that she knew the value of nourishing her body with good food.

Soul –

The most important friend that Chrishirella keeps close is God.  She grew up knowing to ask the Lord to give her strength. The power of prayer and the fact that she allows God to order her steps is what keeps her spiritually healthy.  “I am very aware of the Creator and the power of the Creator.  I recognize that and that’s where I get my strength,” she said.

At the end of the day, Chrishirella Warthen uses the analogy of a flower to describe herself.  “I like to be in bloom!  I love me when I’m radiant!”  Radiant she is and this diva knows what she’s got to do to keep blooming.  Because for her, everything is in divine order.  When asked to give our girlfriends some advice, the answer that resonated the most was:  “As sisters, we are queens and we need to act, speak, and behave in that way towards ourselves and each other.”

“In the way that we help others grow, we grow ourselves,” says Dora Montoya.
A mind, body, spirit practitioner and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee adviser in the Advanced Opportunity Center, Dora holds this as her philosophy of life and for living.
Capacitar means “to empower,” says Dora and the organization’s webpage. Through practitioners such as Dora, Capacitar International seeks to heal the world, one person at a time. “If we heal ourselves, we help heal the world,” according to Dora who was born in Durango, Mexico and raised on Milwaukee’s south side. She is working to empower individuals, communities, and nations. “I’m working to connect grass roots communities together in their efforts to change, grow, and strengthen.”
She fervently believes that these types of practices are the key to realizing Capacitar’s vision of “healing, wholeness, and peace” in the world. “I was volunteering at Casa Romero Renewal Center on 4th and Bruce and learned that the center’s director was doing a body, mind, & spirit practicum,” said Dora. She was intrigued with his work and decided to learn more about this practice. She ultimately decided to go through the training. READ MORE

The Girlfriend’s network is made up of on-the-go women with active lifestyles. These movers and shakers are working hard to maintain the status quo. In the midst of this world lies the necessity to maintain self. Being caught up in the corporate whirlwind of endless contracts, inevitable negotiations, and the struggle for perfection, we can be sucked into a perpetual cycle of self -neglect. The result: overworked, overstressed, automated zombies; susceptible to life threatening illness. Preventive maintenance is of utmost importance to safe guard against disease such as cancer. Just as you wouldn’t let a document cross your desk without making sure all things were in order, the same must hold true for taking care of yourself. READ MORE

Heart disease is the number one killer for women of color in America. Having already lost her father to heart disease and coming to the realization that she was overweight, Sheila Diane Harris decided to take matters into her own hands in order to save her life! The 42-year-old wife and mother reached her biggest size in 2005, at which time she was wearing a woman’s size 24. Besides having a difficult time finding clothes, the breaking point came when she saw a picture of herself. She did not like what she saw; when did she gain all of that weight? Upon taking a closer look in the mirror, Sheila knew her eating habits had to change and exercising would have to fit into her extremely busy schedule.

Working full time as a Office Manager for a marketing firm, serving as an Event Planner for a community service program, and taking classes to obtain her master’s degree in Accounting & Finance Management did not leave Sheila much free time. READ MORE

“Think Health, Act Now!”
Vivian decided years ago that it was time to take control of her mind, body and soul by making a lifestyle change. She wanted to prevent herself from developing health problems associated with being overweight or obese by keeping her weight in check. Her family had a history of obesity and bad eating habits.

Her time is a premium due to her hectic and busy schedule as the Health Opeations Director for the City of Milwaukee Health Department. However, she finds the time to be active. Being overweight or obese is not an option for her. She identifies ways to reduce weight through daily exercise, proper rest and reduction in caloric intake. READ MORE

Very much a “weight watcher,” is how Gigi Bruno, community outreach manager for The United Performing Arts Fund, describes herself. “I don’t eat big meals, but I eat tons throughout the day. I’m a big snacker.”

Bruno fell into the “freshman trap” of gaining weight her first year at Carroll College READ MORE