Hands Lifting Hearts Initiative (HLH)’s Post

👶🏾 Let's talk about postpartum care! Did you know that Black women are less likely to receive adequate postpartum care than white women? We need to prioritize postpartum support to ensure that Black mothers have the resources they need to thrive. #BlackMaternalHealthWeek #PostpartumCare

It is 30 minutes until midnight, and I've been "working" (reading, writing, creating compositions) for a few hours. No, I tell you again, I picked up my son from school, cooked, cleaned, put him to bed, slept for a few hours and woke up again. My day is not over yet. I must wake up in less than six hours and start a new day for my son. This pattern has been established for some eight years, and I am used to it. Does it sound like complaining, hating the system, or urging young women not to become mothers? No, far from it. Becoming a mother was my choice; it is my responsibility, and I will carry it through. An endless amount of energy is created within me when my son looks at me, hugs me, and seeks protection. No, I didn't become a mother to feel great about myself or influenced by external pressures or because of my cultural background. It is ONLY NATURAL to want to be a mother, create a human being, and love and be loved back. I have never been stronger and more determined in my life. I could never see my son as a burden and some barrier to my "creativity." I am no hero, just a mother who will do anything and everything to make things work. It is time to put to rest the myth that only child-free women succeed in arts and culture. It is about time to create dialogues, understandings, and ways to support artist mothers, not exclude them from art residencies, exhibitions, and opportunities because they are mothers. It is about time to tell young women studying at art colleges, academies, and universities worldwide that, yes it is possible to be a mother and a creative. Instead, we should be saying, these are the ways they will be supported through those critical first years. By "critical years", I refer to the first 2-3 years until the child reaches kindergarten age (at least). Discouraging anyone, man or woman, from becoming parents based on their possible career choices is unethical, irresponsible and simply not acceptable. They will be robbed of life's most beautiful feelings, intense challenges, and the joys and struggles of overcoming them. #artistmother #creativemother

Happy International Women’s Day everyone!!! As a woman ages, she takes on many responsibilities and challenges. She builds her home and her career. She reaches for her goals and desires. However, as a woman ages so does her bones. They go through each calcium-leeching experience of pregnancy and childbirth, progressively soaking up the wear and tear of life and living. Today, in honor of the International Women’s Day, I speak on how aging affects the bones and joints in women. I address what lifestyle changes can be made to reduce the effects of aging on our skeletal system. I also present the secret to aging gracefully, as regards bone and joint health. Click the link below to watch the full video: https://lnkd.in/dSQFJPQX

Women often feel pressured to have children before age 30 due to societal and biological factors. This pressure can come from family, friends, and healthcare providers who emphasize the importance of starting a family at a younger age. However, it's important for women to prioritize their own well-being and make decisions about family planning that align with their personal goals and desires. There are options available for starting a family later in life, such as adoption and assisted reproductive technologies. Women should feel empowered to make choices about their reproductive health that are best for them, regardless of societal expectations. #societalpressures #familyplanning #takingyourtime Click the link below to read more about how to deal with these societal pressures https://lnkd.in/eSRHJpmr

Happy International Women's Day #inspireinclusion There have been so many great events this week, and still many more to come over the remainder of the month. It's amazing to hear so many personal stories from women brave enough to share, in the hope of inspiring and building confidence in others. There is much more awareness about female challenges such as menopause, childcare, caring responsibilities, fertility, maternity, not having allies in the workplace, feeling like their is a glass ceiling for their career, etc. but there are so many people focusing on helping break down those barriers, raising awareness and creating allyship. Every story, every piece of support for a female colleague, every positive word, every person who increases their awareness about female barriers is helping to #inspireinclusion. Don't forget the power of networks, surround yourself with those who will help to raise you up. Support others and support yourself. 🙆♀️

What age does perimenopause start? This usually starts in the early 50's can but can affect women of varying ages. Check out the advice in this video to understand more.

Insightful words… For male work colleagues. For women colleagues. For allies. For those in HR and business leadership. #Menopause #AcknowledgeMenopause #Perimenopause #MenopausalCare #OptimizingHealth #OptimizingQualityOfLife #OptimizingProductivity #MidlifeHealth #WomensHealth #WorkPerformance #WorkSatisfaction

Let’s get more of our lawmakers focusing on empowering women to choose life!

Women in midlife are an essential part of the workforce. Check out this article from Michelle Travis in Forbes about how men can become better allies.

"Pro-life politicians only care about the baby!" A new Senate initiative proves that simply isn't the case. Read our new blog to learn about the MOMS Act and how it connects with Heroic Media's strategy of reaching women with life affirming resources: