Wilhelmina Obatola Grant is a profound artist and outspoken woman that carries a blazing torch for breast cancer awareness for African American Woman. Wilhelmina's message through her creative, personal and social influence is simply to get women to understand the importance of having their annual mammograms through her church style "Fan Project".
I first learned about Wilhelmina Grant a little over two weeks ago through the Creative Center for People with Cancer. Their Facebook posting highlighted this Daily News article about her campaign to raise awareness about breast cancer and African American women. Also, that Wilhelmina had recently joined the Creative Center for People with Cancer's Artists-In-Residence Program.
SHE WHO CONCEALS HER DISEASE CANNOT
EXPECT TO BE CURED. ETHIOPIAN PROVERB
On Monday, November 1, 2010, I accepted an impromptu invite to the Harlem Art Alliance's monthly meeting. I was very pleased to see Wilhelmina was one of the featured artists and speakers. We share common ground as breast cancer survivors. We are both artists and affiliated with The Creative Center. Eventually, we would have met but last Monday was perfect timing.
When she began speaking about her efforts, I knew that I wanted to extend my support to help her raise breast cancer awareness for African American women. It is because of our first hand experiences with early detection that we are able to now speak out to other women.
A woman's awareness is her most powerful tool. So many women need encouragement and to need to be motivated too put their health care first.1. Learn how to give yourself a "self-breast" exam. Do this monthly! If you find anything unusual, see your doctor without hesitation.
2. Annually have a physical exam by a doctor or ob/gyn.
3. Promptly follow up with a mammography if anything suspicious is found.
4. Last but not least, encourage another woman to learn about her own breast health.
Will you please consider joining Wilhelmina's effort to raise awareness about breast cancer for African American women?
Saying YES! SAVES LIVES! Additional resources: http://www.sistaah.org/ - Survivors Inspiring Sisters Through Art & Advocacy for Health, Inc. http://ww5.komen.org/BreastCancer/Breastselfawareness.html - Susan B. Komen Org. http://www.creativecenter.org/ - The Creative Center for People With Cancer
