Conference seeks solutions for disruptive forces in women's lives

When women suffer from problems such as violence, poverty, abuse, homelessness, inadequate health care and unintended pregnancy, the effects are felt not only by the women themselves, but by all those whose lives they touch. Women play key roles in nurturing the young and old, in helping distressed families stay together, and in maintaining health and economic stability. When they cannot fulfill these roles, the impact can be felt regardless of class, culture or ethnicity.

Emory will host "The Politics of Caring III: Creating Safe and Healing Environments" on Nov. 10-12 at the Terrace Garden Inn in Buckhead to seek interdisciplinary solutions to the problems that disrupt women's lives and the lives of those around them. "The disruption of a woman's state of well-being acts like a pebble cast upon a pond's still waters, affecting her family, her neighborhood and the environment in which she lives," said Rose Cannon, nursing faculty member and planning committee chair for the conference.

The conference brings together members of the academic, grass roots, health care and faith communities to propose strategies for creating safe and healing environments for women. It was conceived as a socially diverse forum for sharing expertise within a context of mutual appreciation for individual contributions.

The conference will address topics such as social and cultural influences on violence and injury; the impact of unintended pregnancy; patient autonomy; ethical and cultural approaches to HIV; community-based health care services; empowerment of culturally diverse women in caregiving situations; healing through music and literature; medical ethics; and women's health and public policy.

Featured speakers will include: Dyanne D. Affonso, dean of the School of Nursing; Sarah Brown, senior study director at the Institute of Medicine at the National Academy of Sciences; Vinie Burrows, representative to the United Nations for the Women's International Democratic Federation; President Bill Chace; Marilynne McKay, professor of dermatology and gynecology/obstetrics at the School of Medicine and chief of dermatology at Grady Hospital; and Susan Sherwin, professor of philosophy at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

For information, contact Rose Cannon at 727-1374.

-- Holly Korschun