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A Voice for Change

Changing the landscape for women with Gynaecological, Sexual and related Mental Health Issues

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Moulin Rouge Chook to raise funds for Awareness Campaign

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To assist us with our 2017 IGAD campaign, Alistair Beveridge, has donated his artwork, “Moulin Rouge Chook”.  Prints are now for sale to help with the Gynaecological and Sexual Health awareness campaigns.

Alistair is the genuine Aussie battler, very grounded, no artifice and what you see is what you get.  He’s a rare breath of fresh air. We first met Alistair recently when Tony, my sister Helen, Aileen Hooper (an artist herself) and myself attended the Albany Markets.

We were attracted to Alistair’s display table as people were flocking around his Chook Art display so we wanted to see what all the fuss was about. One particular picture caught my eye with a chook proudly standing there with her chest out, wearing stiletto heels and a bright red crest on the chooks head. Aileen was more than excited and suggested Alistair design a Moulin Rouge Chook for Kath’s vision of the International Gynaecological Awareness Day 10 September campaign. Hence the Moulin Rouge Chook was invented.

He suffered a major illness and in 2012 he retired to a country cottage to rest and recuperate.  His constant companions were a batch of hens and he found the soft clucking cackling was very soothing but he became totally fascinated by their behaviour.

Thus was born the “Chook Man” and he’s been drawing chooks at their best (and worst) ever since.

Alistair now lives in Albany Western Australia and displays his works and drawings on site at the Albany Boat Shed Markets every Sunday morning.  His drawings bring a smile to your face and if you want something a little bit special he’ll happily do a drawing for you. Alistair has undertaken a special order to produce a Moulin Rouge hen for Tony and Kath Mazzella’s  International Gynaecological Health Awareness campaign which is only available to purchase through “The Squeaky Clean Gallery”.

Kath was recently interviewed with Fred Mafrica on The Couch TV recently where the chook picture which created many  chuckles from the film crew and Fred himself. It is amazing the great reactions I am receiving to help break down the barriers and stigmas with Gynaecological, Sexual and Related Mental Health issues.

 

 

Aileen’s interest in art started as a small child, when she used to spend many an hour gazing at the paintings in her Grandparents home. But, it wasn’t until her early twenties that she sought lessons on oil painting and was fortunate enough to receive tutoring from 2 very talented artists, in Melbourne and Perth.

Aileen was a proliferate artist through the 70’s and 80’s, but stopped painting when her youngest son decided she needed some help and painted black trees across 30 odd paintings that were ready for an exhibition. He was 3 years old at the time and Aileen did not paint for a further 35 years, and has only recently taken up the craft again.

Aileen has now transitioned across to acrylics and describes this as her inner child escaping. You will understand this sentiment when you see the differences between her oil and acrylic paintings.

Aileen’s paintings all have an interesting story behind them and she shares this with you.

Kath presents at Methodist Ladies College

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It was with great excitement and a little bit of trepidation, that I approached the opportunity to present to 100 15 year old girls on the subject of Sexual Health.

Even though I am a Life Member of the WA Sexology Association, presenting to 15 year old girls is a completely different concept.

To my surprise and delight, I got great feedback and the girl’s expressed an interest in knowing more about my life experience. Sadly, time did not prevail.

I was green with envy to know that these 15 year old girls were given the opportunity to have this up front knowledge about the emotional and physical effects and how empowered they must be to go out into the wide world.

If only we could be more open in society for all women to be forewarned about risks and symptoms and life changing issues that may develop in their future life.

 

4 Surprising Things Women Leaders Have Said About ‘Down There’

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Why do many men and women business leaders seem reluctant and uncomfortable in talking about “Down There”?

From my experience, as a leading voice in gynaecological and sexual health advocacy, based on my gynaecological cancer story, and recognised through my 10 awards for my advocacy work in raising the profile of gynaecological health awareness for the millions of women with gynaecological and related mental health issues, I want to challenge other leaders about their thinking on this topic.

There is no point in having a successful business, if your gynaecological health catches up with you.

3 quotes I’ve heard from leading business women:

1. I have chosen a career, I don’t wish to have children and don’t have a gynaecological health issue, therefore, I am not interested in the topic.

Response:

I challenge this thinking because firstly, Gynaecology is not just about having children. And just because you don’t have a gynaecological issue right now, doesn’t mean you won’t have one, nor does it mean the women you are leading won’t experience issues and won’t need your understanding.

The more open leaders are on the topic, the more open, compassionate and supportive women can become with one and other, and the more prepared they will be for any hiccups along the way.

2. Gynaecological health is too sensitive and intimate for women in business and women who work in the home, and therefore best not to openly discuss in public places.

Response:

Knowledge is Power. We need to gain the knowledge, so we can all help one and other. As leaders, we can be actively breaking down the stigmas and barriers associated with Gynaecological and Sexual Health, so that we can:
– Empower women to be more confident, to be vigilant and to take earlier action, to use correct terminology and to be able to share experiences and knowledge, because we know that sharing is part of the healing process.
– Save lives or lifetime complications through early intervention.

3. Gynaecological health is too complicated and confusing.

Response:

Sadly, some women wait too late to learn the knowledge that can either prevent issues or help them in early diagnosis and treatment. Consequently, they don’t understand terminology and are not confident to speak to their doctor or gynaecologist.

It makes sense, therefore, to encourage women to embrace the knowledge that will help to build confidence, so they can accurately inform business women and men in their world so they can ask for what they need in the way of support or services.

4. As an educated woman, I am slightly embarrassed by the very little I know about Gynaecological health.

Response:

There is no time like the present to educate yourself about your own body and how to prevent or get help with challenges.

I challenge all leaders to gain the knowledge and to support me in creating greater awareness by celebrating the International GYN Awareness Day (IGAD) on 10 September. Find out more about how you can do this here.

King Edward Hospital and City of Perth purple building GYN Day

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Great to see the City of Perth light up Council House Purple for the International Gynaecological Awareness Day and much appreciated that the Royal Australian New Zealand College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology agreed to promote the day on their calendar in 2016 perthcitycouncilpurpole

Another IGAD, Another Wonderful Year of Campaigning

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Since IGAD 2015, a lot of wonderful highlights have transpired, so here they are in a nutshell.  Scroll down to see the gallery of images from events.

  • Display at NIFNEX Expo. Met Thyda and she is now putting together a vulva art exhibition.  Also met Shoma from Qerac Health Communications and was invited to be the opening speaker at a Medical Seminar.
  • Qerac Healthcare Communications Medical Seminar – Introductory speaker sharing with doctors about how we can all walk the same path to make it easier for doctors and women when consulting.  It appeared to me that there is gap in GPs training in Gynaecological and Sexual Health and related Mental Health issues.  As women we need to make more noise about women’s health, so we can demand a higher level of education for doctors and the community.
  • Associate Professor Graeme Broadley delivered a speech at King Edward Memorial Hospital and suggested that he would encourage other women’s hopsitals to follow the King Edward Memorial’s four year example of celebrating GYN Awareness Day.  He showed great interest in my Gynaecological paper talk and spoke of how he may be able to utilise this for education in the community.
  • Tony and I are meeting with WA Primary Health Alliance to find new ways to promote Gynaecological Health in the community instead of just being behind the closed doors.
  • Soroptomist Albany joined us in celebrating with a Gynaecological Awareness stand in Albany and also donated a copies of my book, Not So Secret Women’s Business to the library.
  • The West Australian Regional Soroptomist International distributed my Paper Talk at their meeting in Perth and they also held a discussion about Gynaecological and Sexual Health awareness in celebration of IGAD.
  • Presented to 800 quilters at two separate meetings. Have received five quilts/wall hangings, which are absolutely fabulous.  I have been given permission to donate these to public venues who will display the quilts and take advantage of the opportunity to spread the word.  If you know of an appropriate place for them to be displayed, please contact me.  The President of the Quilters Association was very excited for her group to be able to contribute to the campaign, to raise the level of conversation around awareness in their own community and to lead the way for other arts/craft related groups to get behind this message.  The quilts are very visual and a vital part of the visual message and I am so grateful for their contribution.
  • Presented at the Women’s Health Centre in Bunbury.  I always find it interesting when I present, as I often find other advocates, who, like myself when I started out 20 years ago, are filled with passion but also with pain.  Sometimes they are filled with the fear of not knowing where to turn to, who to speak to, what to do and how to go about it.  I met such a young woman there who was determined to find a way.  I appeal to all women to keep an eye out for such women, filled with passion and pain.  It is through their compassion because of their pain, they are able to fast track this for other women so they don’t have to go through this, so this message can be heard.  I found a way for her to speak for 5 minutes on her vision and her desire to be heard and it was so rewarding to see her share.
  • Display stand at the Notre Dame University for the Pelvic Pain Seminar, where I sat with pride to watch a past president of GAIN Inc, Catherine Aurabine, who had moved on to greener pastures with her pelvic pain passion.  Also, presenting was Vanessa Watson, another past member of GAIN Inc, who had joined forces with Catherine and they now work together to improve the lives of women with pelvic pain.  I stood loud and proud.  I was totally amazed at the suffering that was shared by doctors and the women.  But I knew that for something to change, we need to come together and make a noise.  We can go from seminar to seminar, but it will be a long process if we don’t come together.  That is my wish for International Gynaecological Awareness Day.  To use the advantage of joined forces for our combined voice to be heard.
  • I am pleased to say I am going to Melbourne in November for a meeting with a large corporation to discuss with their team about how I can use my voice with their company to progress further with women in business and Gynaecological awareness.  Given the time between now and November I am planning to encourage other women leaders who can see the light in your work as to how it can empower women in their workforce.
  • I have a great opportunity to connect with the Country Women’s Association  in Melbourne to encourage their members to place the 10 September 2017 IGAD on their agenda and to encourage their country women to join the Undies Quilting campaign and to keep the conversation going.
  • I am presenting in Nungarin this week.  Whilst passing through Dowerin we will be delivering as requested 60 pairs of packs of undies.  This shows word is getting around.
  • I have been liasing with a  Brisbane Doctor who wants to order some Paper Talks.  Image of the Paper Talks is below.  I admire his passion, as he is dealing with these women who are suffering in silence and he wants to make a difference.  He is a Reproductive Medicine and Women’s Health Specialist.  I just love his openness  and how he is willing to embrace the community voice in his work.  I plan to go to Brisbane some time next year and I hope to encourage him to partner with me to conduct a forum – with him as the Medical Professional and me as the Community Advocate.
  • I am pleased to say I had a stand at the Health Ed Seminar where pharmaceutical companies had their displays.  My display was quite unique, with quilts and undies, much to the confusion of some.  Many doctors came up to find out what it was all about.  Whilst there I listened to the amazing Dr Rosie King, Sexologist.  I met Rosie when I presented at the World Sexual Health Conference in 2007, where she discussed back then the stigma around the vulva.  Again, at this seminar she still spoke about the stigma and showed graphic pictures of what can happen to the vulva if we don’t take care of it and understand it.  What I wouldn’t have done to have stood next to Rosie on the stage, her as the medical professional and me as the voice of the women with vulval conditions, to create a powerful impact.  Listening to these professionals speaking, I felt inspired to go harder because I realise there is much to be done for the education and awareness of women in the community.
  • Presented to the Albert Schweizer Fellowship in Houston, Texas.  I first met Dr Gabrielle Morrissey when she invited me to speak at the Forensic Sexology at Curtin University.  I was scared out of my wits, but Gabrielle believed in me back then and still believes in me now.  Hence, while I was visiting my daughter in Dallas, at Christmas, Gabrielle invited me to speak at the Albert Schweizer Fellowship where she is the Director.  I love working with people like her who are open, honest, truth speaking and open to you when you are a consumer.  I know where she gets this from.  One just has to take a look at her famous mother, who is a famous writer.
  • Whilst in Dallas I presented to the Zonta Dallas and was invited to present to young women living away from their families.
  • I presented to girls at a private school in London where I shared the Undies for Better Understanding Workshop.  The teacher told me that the students concentrated on subjects not related to health, so these 16-18 year old girls were pretty much in the dark about their Gynaecological and Sexual Health.  What a sad situation and a great opportunity.  This made me wonder why women’s organisations are not speaking up about this lack of education.
  • Interviewed by Cornwall Radio for an hour.  I was interviewed my a male radio presenter, who totally agreed with everything I said.  i.e. the lack of education around this topic.
  • Congratulations to King Edward Hospital celebrated their hundredth year and were featured in the West Australian newspaper. This included information about the International GYN Awareness Day and showed photos of the nurses holding undies.
  • I supported Jean Hailes Women’s Health Week  when the Director, Janet Mickelfore, her daughter and son, came to Perth to distribute pink elephants and information in the Murray Street Mall in Perth.  Celebrated with Jean Hailes their recent receipt of $8 Million to research women’s health.
  • I also had a display at the Chem Mart Morley Chemist and  at Chappels Tea House in Maylands in celebration of IGAD.
  • On IGAD we celebrated with an Afternoon Tea event at the International on the Water Hotel.
  • IGAD will also be celebrated this Wednesday CWA Nungarin where I will be presenting and I have seven women parading with the GYN body bits and chanting the GYNAE MIGHT song.  The CWA Nungarin contacted me today and she was in the process of making the love heart undies biscuits that will be decorated as part of the celebration on Wednesday, where the women will decorate the undies biscuits.
  • I will be presenting at the Cancer Support Association on 21 September and at the Endometriosis Support Group on 2nd October, 2016.  These are golden opportunities and also show that the community is developing interest in the topic.

And the year is not over yet!