Resolution 110399

..Title Declaring June 2nd as Creating a Legacy of Wellness: Mind, Body, and Spirit Day in Philadelphia. ..Body WHEREAS, On June 2nd, the Black Women's Health Alliance ("BWHA") will launch the "Creating a Legacy of Wellness: Mind, Body, and Spirit" Campaign in Philadelphia with keynote speakers Dr. Marilyn Hughes-Gaston and Dr. Gayle Porter, international experts in the areas of evidence based strategies and interventions for health disparities in minority communities; and WHEREAS, The goals of the Legacy of Wellness: Mind, Body, and Spirit Campaign are to: * increase the awareness and knowledge of effective strategies that improve health outcomes and reduce health disparities of African American women, women of color, their families, and the community at large; * unite and mobilize minority leaders to develop, integrate, and expand health awareness activities and/or policy changes within their organizations to benefit employees, constituents, clients, patients, congregational members, and the community at large; * increase knowledge and awareness of heart health, obesity, stress, depression, and mental health of 1000 women and their family members to encourage and influence healthy lifestyle changes; * leverage existing and establish new partnerships and collaborations with health and human service providers, research and education institutions, organizations and governmental entities at the local, state, and federal levels, community based organizations, and faith-based institutions; and WHEREAS, BWHA (formerly known as the Philadelphia Black Women's Health Project) is a non profit, community based organization that was established by approximately 100 Philadelphia women who attended the First National Conference on Black Women's Health Issues in Atlanta, Georgia in 1983. The ladies recognized that the "voices" of African American women were largely unheard in the Philadelphia health community and mobilized their efforts to establish the Philadelphia Black Women's Health Project as this needed "voice." In 2004, the name of the Philadelphia Black Women's Health Project was changed to "Black Women's Health Alliance" and BWHA continues the legacy as the "voice" of African American women in the Philadelphia health community; and WHEREAS, The mission of BWHA is to improve health outcomes and eliminate and/or reduce health disparities experienced by women of African ancestry, other women of color, and their families, through education, advocacy, community programs and services, and research; and WHEREAS, Since its inception, BWHA has provided services to approximately 2000 women and their family members, on an annual basis, resulting in 56,000 service encounters and BWHA has a reputation of integrity in providing residents, service providers, community groups, and clergy with supportive, non judgmental, and resourceful health promotion activities and services including health education workshops and classes, health awareness through information technology, and one on one counseling focused on diabetes, breast cancer, HIV/AIDS, reproductive health, and domestic violence; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Declares and recognizes June 2nd as Creating a Legacy of Wellness: Mind, Body, and Spirit Day in Philadelphia. FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to representatives of the Black Women's Health Alliance as a sincere expression of City Council's gratitude and appreciation for raising the public's awareness regarding minority health disparities in Philadelphia. ..End 1 2