Meet the 2009 Women's Health Heroes
By Christine Cupaiuolo — May 11, 2009
When Our Bodies Ourselves launched the Women’s Health Heroes Awards, we did so without knowing that we would hear from nearly 100 entrants from 12 countries. Our initial plan of honoring two nominees went out the window.
Instead, we decided to “induct” 20 heroes this year and make this an annual event — our own small version of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (without the band reunions … yet).
The 2009 inaugural inductees represent seven countries and a wide range of health fields and disciplines. “Every day millions of people worldwide do incredible work to improve the health and well-being of women, and we want to bring attention to their efforts,” said Our Bodies Ourselves Executive Director Judy Norsigian. “Many of our heroes accomplish so much with very few resources, particularly on the frontlines of public health, where gaps in the quality of care and healthcare access remain persistent.”
The 2009 Women’s Health Heroes are:
- Elisabeth Bing, co-founder, Lamaze Childbirth Preparation Method
- Marlies Bosch, photographer & journalist specializing in women’s health (Netherlands)
- Lisa Copen, founder and director, Rest Ministries
- Heather Corinna, founder & editor, Scarleteen.com
- Susan Corrado, community parish nurse (Madison, Wisc.)
- Efua Dorkenoo, founder of FORWARD (UK)
- Fair Haven Midwifery Group (Conn.)
- Sheila Fawbush, Shelby County (Ky.) Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences
- Stephanie Herold, student activist & abortion clinic counselor
- Cheryl Holder, adolescent medicine & HIV/AIDS specialist
- Barbara Keddy, professor emeritus, Dalhousie University (Nova Scotia)
- Helene Lefevre-Cholay, chief of party for the Maternal and Infant Health Project (Ukraine)
- Jessica LeRoy, therapist specializing in helping women
- Bene E. Madunagu, activist & professor of botany, University of Calabar (Nigeria)
- Sabrina Matoff-Stepp, director, HRSA Office of Women’s Health
- Kath Mazzella, founder, Gynaecological Awareness Information Network (Australia)
- Jenni Prokopy, founder & editor, ChronicBabe.com
- Nurit Shein, executive director, Mazzoni Center, Philadelphia LGBT health center
- Carolyn Thomas, founder, Heart Sisters
- Jessica Yee, founder & director, Native Youth Sexual Health Network (Toronto)
All of us were incredibly moved by the gratitude and appreciation expressed by those who nominated their heroes. We hope you’ll take a moment to learn more about all the outstanding nominees.
