Health fair arms women with wealth of information


By DEBORAH A. MILES Instead of spending a Saturday


running errands or house cleaning, more than 100 people took advantage of a health fair organized by the PEF Region 8 Women’s Program. Maddie Shannon-Roberts, program


chair, said the March 19 event held at the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) headquarters in Latham was designed to help PEF women achieve a healthy balance in their lives physically, mentally and spiritually. Kim Smith, a project manager at the


state Office of Temporary Disability and Assistance, said the fair provided a wealth of information at no cost. “Usually, a wide variety of quality


information comes with a price tag,” Smith said. “The fair provided informative workshops as well as several vendors who added another great dimension to the event.” Dr. Christine Pluviose, Upper Hudson


Planned Parenthood vice president for patient services, spoke about the importance of cancer screening and women’s health. “Dr. Pluviose was an excellent speaker. She also passed out some very good statistical information,” Smith said. “A lot of the focus today is on breast cancer, so her presentation created a needed awareness for women.” “Usually when someone talks about


cancer, you get a scary feeling. Her presentation made you feel as if you should be more in tune with your body,” said Josephine Kamya, a services specialist at the state Office of Children and Family Services. “Dr. Pluviose was a dynamic speaker. “The workshop on domestic violence


also was very enlightening. Domestic violence is in every community and touches every one of us in one way or another. I walked away with a new outlook on the topic,” Kamya said. “The fair also included screenings. It was a nice way to spend a Saturday.” Shannon-Roberts said the event’s


Page 14—The Communicator May 2011


A DAYWELL SPENT—(Top left)Valerie Ridgeway fromthe state Department of Health joins Maddie Shannon-Roberts, chair of the PEF Region 8Women’s Program, at the March 19 health fair held at the NewYork State UnitedTeachers headquarters in Latham. (Above)Among several workshops, participants attended a presentation by Dr.Lance Sullenberger, a cardiologist who addressed issues concerning women and heart health. (Below) PEFVice PresidentTomComanzo welcomesmore than 100 attendees to the fair.


—Photos by FredMoody


success also was due to the participation and sponsorship of NYSUT, the Coalition of Labor Union Women, Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, New York State Nurses Association, United Steel Workers, United Sisters of New York Inc, GHI and the Work Force Development Institute which displayed photos of union women.


Matrazzo golf tournament set for July


The 2nd Annual Lou Matrazzo Golf Tournament will be held Thursday, July 14, at the Mohawk River Country Club in Rexford, Saratoga County. The cost is $80 and includes green fees, a golf cart, lunch at the


turn and a dinner buffet. The cost to attend just the dinner is $35. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. with a four-person scramble


shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. There must be at least one PEF member per foursome. The event also will include contests, raffles and awards. Registration will be accepted on a first-come, first-served


basis. A completed registration form and check for the full amount payable to “Annual Lou Matrazzo Golf Tournament” must be received by June 30. Mail it to NYSPEF, Rachel Mango, PO Box 12414, Albany, NY 12212. For more information, email rmango@pef.org. To make a


donation or become a sponsor, send an email to lpulver@pef.org. All proceeds from the tournament will be donated to the American Heart Association in memory of PEF leaders, members and staff who have passed in recent years. Matrazzo was a PEF vice president and Region 8 activist who died March 19, 2009, from heart failure. —Deborah A. Miles


PEF Information Line: 1-800-553-2445


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