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H.O.P.E works to empowers local women

HOPE Annual Women's ConferenceOn Saturday, the Hispanic Organization for Progress & Education (H.O.P.E.) held their annual Women’s Day Conference. The event seeks to empower women by helping them with the issues they must deal with in their lives. Topics covered at the conference included Education, Health, Parenting, Beauty, and Cooking. The various presenters discussed these topics in sessions held throughout the day.

Betty Burchett, the Montgomery County Assessor of Property represented the County Government as Montgomery County Mayor Carolyn Bowers was unable to attend due to prior commitments. When asked before the conference opened for her view on H.O.P.E.’s Woman’s Day Conference She said ā€œI am tickled to death, it’s a great opportunity for women, and any time you can empower women it’s a good thing.ā€

Betty Burchett, the Montgomery County Assessor of Property addresses the crowd at the 2010 H.O.P.E. Women's Day Conference.
Betty Burchett, the Montgomery County Assessor of Property addresses the crowd at the 2010 H.O.P.E. Women's Day Conference.

Valerie Guzman opened the Conference. She was one of the contestants on Dancing with the Stars last year, and is a leader in our community.

Guzman wanted to give a identity to the conference early on because, ā€œI believe if you name something you just breathe life into that thang!ā€. The Conference organizers came up with ā€œMind, Spirit and Bodyā€ (later body was changed to Health)

She explained the meaning behind the name, ā€œMind meaning: education and mental health, Spirit meaning: confidence courage, peace and joy and how can we get there? Health meaning…well we know what this means, and why is it important to take care of it!ā€

Valerie Guzman addressing the assembled crowd at H.O.P.E.'s 2010 Women's Day Conference
Valerie Guzman addressing the assembled crowd at H.O.P.E.'s 2010 Women's Day Conference

She feels it’s important that women become more proactive in living their lives, and through that to really blossom.

Itā€™s more than just that we get to live longer, we need to stop letting life just pass us by. When did we forget how it feels to really be alive? This conference was to remind the women attending that no matter their age, shape, color, or social status; that we are all important and wonderful. I mean really, Eve came into this world and before the fall she was simply a queen, since then women have become so much more. Think about it ladies no matter how many babies start in a test-tube it will always have to end up in our bodies. Not one human being can come into this world without us (women).We have a purpose! God made us in his image but we are not leftovers, we are peace, joy, love and beautiful, and I thank Him when I ever I take the time to remember. This is why we are all here today to love on one another, heal our spirit and renew our minds. So if we were able to reach one person with this event than we all did our job today. 2011 watch out!

Cydney Miller, Mrs. Tennessee International
Cydney Miller, Mrs. Tennessee International

Next up was Mrs. Tennessee International Cydney Miller who discussed the scary topic of cancer, and the need for early detection. She is intimately acquainted with the disease. It all started with her mother who was diagnosed with Colon cancer and later would face and defeat the spectre of Lung Cancer. Her grandmother died from melanoma, and she lost a great aunt to breast cancer. A few years later she would find out that her father had prostate cancer. She has lost several friends to cancer as well. “Cancer chose me, I don’t know why” she said.

Miller holds up her mother as a living example that early detection saves lives, and that smart lifestyle choices can help prevent lives from needing to be saved. ā€œIt’s a lot easier to give a dollar than to stop at a gymā€ she said.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8N06Vkdj4E[/youtube]

The American Cancer Society predicts that 562,340 cancer deaths will occur in 2009. Of those deaths, approximately one-third (186,000) are attributed to poor nutrition, physical inactivity, being overweight, and obesity. About 169,000 will be caused by tobacco use. Therefore, more than half of the predicted cancer deaths in the U.S. will be caused by factors that can be controlled. (ACS Cancer Prevention & Early Detection Facts & Figures 2009)

Miller founded a web site The Road To The Cure, to tell people about the power of early detection and prevention of cancer. In the process she shares her personal story, and gives others the chance to share their own. Most of all she wants everyone to know that none of us travel alone. We are the ROAD CREW. We are all out on the road fighting for our heroes and doing all we can to honor them. She said she has found great peace in sharing her story over the years and wants others to have that same opportunity.

Dr Larry Harris of the Harris Chriopractic Center, and Dr. Dale Brown of the Marathon Chiropractic Clinic
Dr Larry Harris of the Harris Chriopractic Center, and Dr. Dale Brown of the Marathon Chiropractic Clinic

Also presenting were Darlene M. Adams of ā€œWomen First,ā€ A Wellness Clinic for Women by Women; Dr Dale Brown of Marathon Chiropractic Clinic who made several presentations; April Boyd-Noronha a inspirational Speaker on ā€œStarting over is not always a bad thingā€; and Lisa and Greg Lindsey of Verizon Southeast on how to handle yourself in a job interview.

Vendors on hand included the Daymar Insitute, The Stepping Stone, The Tennessee Small Business Development Center, Beauticontrol Mobile Spa, Curves, the Clarksville-Montgomery County Adult Literacy Council, the University of Phoenix, The Hispanic Family Autism Support Group, Cards by Sally, and Marathon Chiropractic Clinic among others.

Other fun events included Cooking classes, health screenings, fitness stations, free makeovers, and a free clothing store.

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Bill Larson
Bill Larson
Bill Larson isĀ  is politically and socially active in the community. Bill is a member of the Friends of Dunbar Cave. You can reach him via telephone at 931-249-0043 or via the email address below.
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