TWU Op-Ed project and Dr. Mandy Golman

We had the amazing opportunity to interview Dr. Golman about her joining Texas Woman's University Op-Ed project. She explained that, “Op-Ed Project’s mission is to increase the range of voices and quality of ideas in the work and to increase the number of women thought leaders in key commentary forums. According to the OpEd project, 80% of contributions to these key commentary forums are written by men. The TWU group is organized through Barbara Presnall and Kate Landdeck in the History Department and has brought together members of the TWU and Denton community to participate in 4 workshops as well as monthly conference calls and meetings. In addition, we are provided a mentor that helps us polish and pitch our op-eds.”

She explained that departments such as Family Sciences, Communication Sciences, Visual Arts, Intercultural Services, TWU Counseling Center, Library Sciences, History, as well as other area professionals and nonprofit directors are also involved with TWU Op-Ed project. Others that are involved are:  These include Annetta Ramsay, an area LPC, Dr. Mona Shah who hosts a radio show “Politics Today” about Pakistan, School and Health Center Directors. A full list of who is involved can be found here.

When asked how she became involved with TWU Op-Ed project, Dr. Golman responded, “I saw the project advertised and thought it seemed like an interesting and beneficial program to be a part of so I submitted an application and was chosen. I was quite thrilled!”

Dr. Golman’s role with the TWU Op-Ed project has taught her how to write for a larger audience and “further the causes I am passionate about.” She has completed an article for the Huffington Post and she is currently working on a second submission. To see Dr. Golman’s article in the Huffington Post, click here.  

She hopes to continue to write and publish about a variety of issues. Dr. Golman is excited about the upcoming possibilities and states “Already participation in the project has proved invaluable!”

Congratulations, Dr. Golman, on these exciting achievements. We appreciate her taking the time to talk with us. 

Other articles you might be interested in are:

The Write Site at TWU

Guest Post: Obstacles and Desires by David Krueger, M.D.

Guest Post: National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month by Laura Valentino

National Women's History Month

National Women’s History Month

It’s that time of year again! A time where women are recognized for their accomplishments achieved in the past, currently achieving now, and plan to accomplish in the future. Each year, the National Women’s History Project assigns a theme that highlights specific groups of women. This year’s theme is Celebrating Women of Character, Courage, and Commitment.

 The History behind Women’s History Month

In March 1982, the first Women’s History Week was authorized by the President and continued to be authorized throughout the following five years. It was not until 1987 that the week dedication became a month-long event. From 1988 to 1994, Congress continued to pass resolutions to which the President authorized designating March as the month to celebrate women’s history. The past three Presidents—Clinton, Bush, and Obama—have each issued annual proclamations making the month of March a time to highlight women’s history.

Texas Woman's University and Women’s History

Biannually, Texas Woman's University hosts a Global Awareness Month that is geared towards educating students on issues, experiences, and global perspectives. Assigned throughout the month of March, the Global Connections integrates perspectives of women globally who represent the month’s theme characteristics: character, courage, and commitment.

Health Studies at Texas Woman’s University

In honor of recognizing National Women’s History Month, the Health Studies Department at Texas Woman's University would like to share previous blogs on health that pertain to women.

Go Red for Women: Concerning Heart Disease

http://twuhealthstudies.blogspot.com/2014/02/go-red-interviews-with-maryjo-frederick.html

Cervical Cancer Awareness

http://twuhealthstudies.blogspot.com/2014/01/cervical-cancer-awareness.html

Breast Cancer Awareness

http://twuhealthstudies.blogspot.com/2013/10/guest-post-national-breast-cancer.html

Wear Teal for Ovarian Cancer

http://twuhealthstudies.blogspot.com/2013/09/guest-post-wear-teal-day-for-ovarian.html

For more information, check out these sources below.

National Women’s History Project

http://www.nwhp.org/

Women’s History Month

http://womenshistorymonth.gov/

Texas Woman's University Women’s Global Month

http://www.twu.edu/global/events-calendar.asp#march  

U.S. National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10660277

Insights on Internship: Interview with Cheyenne Peluso

Cheyenne Peluso is an undergraduate student who is finishing her degree in Health Studies. She is currently completing a paid internship with Verizon Wireless at their onsite Health and Wellness Center in Tampa, Florida. Verizon currently has over 30 different campus locations with an onsite fitness center. Cheyenne took a few minutes out of her busy schedule to share a bit of her internship experience as well as some advice for future interns.

Can you tell us a bit more about your internship?

As a health and wellness intern, I have had the opportunity to coach, train, and encourage healthy lifestyles among the community within and outside of the wellness center through various cafe samplings, lunch and learns, incentive challenges, the 3rd Annual Shamrock Run, and more. 

Which Health Studies class has been the most useful during your internship?

The most useful class would be a combination of all of them. Because as Health Studies majors we talk about different behaviors, how to reach our audience effectively, and ways to promote healthy lifestyles and educate others; it is hard to pick just one class. I feel as though each class builds upon the other.

What piece of advice do you think is most important when looking for an internship?

Look for someone and somewhere that you will enjoy. If you feel a connection during a specific interview, reach out to that person more. If you are unsure about somewhere, don't settle. Reach for the stars and go after your dreams. Do a good job to follow up and thank the interviewer for the opportunity to talk with them about their organization or company and ask a LOT of questions. The best student is the one who digs deep and good preceptor wants to teach as much as possible so it's a great opportunity to feel them out as a mentor! Also, make sure to do your research about each company, not only to impress but to be prepared.

What piece of advice is the most important during the internship?

Remember to be thankful for the opportunity and that your work is never done. Strive to become better than you were the day before. You are there to learn and there is plenty of learning to do. Be friendly, smile, and enjoy your first real experience as a health educator and professional!

Thank you, Cheyenne, for taking time to share your experiences and thoughts!

What was your experience with your internship? What advice would you share?


If you would like to read and hear more of Cheyenne's internship insights and experience, you can visit her blog where she has several posts specifically dedicated to her internship.

http://sawasdeeciaogracias.blogspot.com/2014/03/interview-icebreakers.html

http://sawasdeeciaogracias.blogspot.com/2014/02/pinch-me.html

http://sawasdeeciaogracias.blogspot.com/2014/03/tools-to-take-over.html  

http://sawasdeeciaogracias.blogspot.com/2014/03/internship-video-blog-and-pictures.html



You might also enjoy:

Spotlight - Interview with Kurt Krause, Coordinator of Experiential Learning at the Pioneer Center for Student Excellence
 

Guest Post: National Endometriosis Awareness Month by Rahmatu Kassimu

Hear ye, hear ye, March is National Endometriosis Awareness Month.  This disease affects many women, often without them knowing about it so spreading awareness is crucial.  Awareness should be promoted on a yearlong basis, but let’s take time now to concentrate on this issue. 

Endometriosis is an often painful disorder in which the endometrial tissue which grows along the lining of the uterus begins to grow outside of the uterus.  Most commonly, these growths can appear on a woman’s ovaries, bowel, or tissues that line the pelvis.
 
Signs and Symptoms

More often

• Painful periods
• Pain with intercourse
• Pain with bowel movements or urination
• Excessive menstrual bleeding
• Infertility

 Less often

• Fatigue
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Bloating
• Nausea

If you have some of these symptoms, it does not automatically mean that you have endometriosis.  These symptoms can also be caused by lifestyle, diet, and exercise.  However, these symptoms are often written off by the women who have them as simply being a bad period when a deeper issue may be involved.

Risk Factors

• Never giving birth
• Genetics- as in close female relative has endometriosis
• Any condition that prevents menstrual blood from leaving the body normally
• History of pelvic infection
• Abnormalities in the uterus
• Testing includes pelvic exams, ultrasounds, and laparoscopy

Quick Facts

The exact cause of endometriosis is not known but there have been linkages to certain occurrences such as scar tissue on the reproductive organs.

• Most women suffer symptoms for almost a full 10 years before being diagnosed.
• About 176 million women worldwide suffer from endometriosis
• The average women is 27 at the time of diagnosis
• Endometriosis is 1 of the top 3 causes of infertility

Awareness Starts With You!

As mentioned before, most women go almost a whole decade before they are diagnosed.  Often because they think that they’re symptoms are normal, or that they have a particularly bad cycle.  Your doctor may even tell you that your symptoms are normal.  However, there are many routes that doctors can take to mediate the symptoms as these symptoms can cause lifelong pain, suffering, and damage.

Finally, Be Your Own Advocate!  You are in control of your own health and you influence the health of those around you.  Being educated about endometriosis and its effects can make you and those around you more aware of potential health issues.

References:

Endometriosis Foundation of America.  (n.d.).  Endometriosis.  Retrieved from http://www.endofound.org/endometriosis

Mayo Clinic.  (2013).  Definition. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/endometriosis/DS00289

Mayo Clinic.  (2013).  Symptoms. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/endometriosis/DS00289/DSECTION=symptoms

Mayo Clinic.  (2013).  Causes.  Retrieved from
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/endometriosis/DS00289/DSECTION=causes

Mayo Clinic.  (2013).  Risk factors.  Retrieved from

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/endometriosis/DS00289/DSECTION=risk-factors


You may also like:  Cervical Cancer Awareness or Repost - May is National Mental Health Month 




Rahmatu Kassimu is a second year Ph.D student at Texas Woman's University in the Health Studies program.  Her health interests include maternal and child health, minority health, and global health.