TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 2022

International Women’s Day had its origins in the early 1900s, but was officially recognized by the UN in 1977. For International Women’s day, I want to recognize and celebrate some of the women who I admire and who inspire me. First, a couple of women who I know personally:

Aside from being a great sister-in-law, mother and grandmother, Dr. Rene S. McClatchey wears a lot of hats. She is an associate professor at Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Georgia, and is the director of the Master’s of Social Work program. She was instrumental in forming the Georgia Society for Clinical Oncology Social Work. She is a published author of research on children and grief, which led her in 1995 to found Camp MAGIK, where she serves as Director.

Camp MAGIK (Mainly About Grief In Kids) provides a safe, nurturing environment where children can express their grief over the death of a loved one and begin the healing process. Campers not only get counseling from professionals but also experience real healing from being around other kids who have faced similar losses. And because it’s a camp, kids also get to be kids and participate in typical camp activities like canoeing, ropes courses, hiking, and more! Camp MAGIK is held three times a year and there’s no charge for kids to attend.

Beverly A Tyler is a wonderful friend. She helped found GA Health Decisions and remains involved in the organization. She has been tireless visiting every city and county in Georgia to lead forums on what we want for health care in our state.

Over the past 25 years, Georgia Health Decisions has supported the development of community coalitions to address health issues in every region of the state. Outside of the Atlanta area, Georgia is a very rural state with limited healthcare resources.

Since 2016, Georgia Health Decisions has partnered with Healthcare Georgia Foundation to provide Community Coaches as strategic thought partners to 11 rural Community Health Partnerships. Community Coaches are supporting these partnerships as they develop and implement Community Health Improvement Plans to eliminate health disparities and achieve health equity in their communities.

More broadly, I greatly admire the work of Science Moms, a nonpartisan group of climate scientists and mothers.

Science Moms was founded to help mothers who are concerned about their childrens’ planet, but aren’t confident in their knowledge about climate change or how they can help. They aim to demystify climate science and motivate everyday moms to demand solutions that preserve the planet for their kids.

Science Moms produces videos and materials to help explain climate change issues for moms and provides opportunities for taking action to help.