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We are committed to promoting empowering education for our community members and for the next generation of reproductive health advocates.
We are committed to promoting empowering education for our community members and for the next generation of reproductive health advocates.
Community Engagement (CE) is a cornerstone of onWHARD, and we are purposeful about ensuring CE occurs not only within - but extends outside of and continues beyond - our research projects.
Our events are often multi-purpose, providing a forum for education, exchange, and relationship-building. For instance, a recent day-long public event - hosted in partnership with the Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research - offered attendees an introduction to the mission of the Institute and the value of health research; community and academy-led presentations on the history of health equity and women's health; and break-out rooms dedicated to related topics of discussion. Several of these discussion rooms, dedicated to 'Understanding the Digital Divide' and 'Trust in Clinical Trials' have signaled key areas for future community support.
Below, you will find summaries of our most recent events and a calendar of upcoming CE efforts. We are always finding new ways to engage with the community and welcome suggestions.
To understand who we are, please also read about our team members, many of whom are student researchers, and visit our onWHARD alumni to see who has worked with us over the years.
PEACE Open House
PEACE Open House
On August 2nd, PEACE hosted its first ever community open house at the Second Baptist Church in Ypsilanti where we broke the silence on uterine fibroids alongside fellow onWHARD studies like MARCH. Families and friends joined us to share experiences, learn more about uterine fibroids, and connect with each other over great food.
Around the room and throughout the day, our event stations reflected PEACE’s goal to improve health for all. At the ‘Healthy Eating Station’ and ‘Health Screening Table,’ all attendees were able to gather fresh, free food and receive A1C and anemia testing. At our ‘Period Party, period packs filled with menstrual supplies were given away, along with books to educate young girls on their bodies and surmount menstrual stigma. Our ‘Post-It’ stations asked attendees to reflect on their and their loved ones’ fibroid experiences, and share snippets on their treatment, support networks, and hopes for future change. All the while, our ‘Kid’s Activity Table’ offered on-site entertainment and age-appropriate ‘school supplies’ to bring home.
Book Club with Dr. Geronimus
Book Club with Dr. Geronimus
On July 30th, PEACE in collaboration with the onWHARD team, hosted a deeply engaging and thought-provoking discussion with Dr. Arline Geronimus, author of Weathering: The Extraordinary Stress of Ordinary Life in an Unjust Society. In honor of Fibroid Awareness Month, the evening’s conversation centered on exploring the book's themes of chronic stress and the intersection of this stress on uterine fibroids and broader women’s health.
Dr. Geronimus shared compelling reflections on her research and reflected on the concept of “weathering” — the term she coined to describe the physical toll that social injustice and structural inequalities can imparton individuals. Attendees engaged in a lively dialogue, focused on health challenges and disparities — particularly in the context of uterine fibroids.
Upcoming Engagement Events
Upcoming Engagement Events
The onWHARD team is always looking for new opportunities to engage with and serve our community. Here you will find a calendar of upcoming, near-term events.
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