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History
In 1986, Rosemary Berkel Crisp of Marion and
Ann L. Knewitz of Carbondale, along with a group of women with backgrounds in health care,
met to discuss the creation of a forum where their general health, emotional and wellness
concerns could be addressed. These women felt that although women were receiving
health-related information, the information was targeting women solely as the care
providers for their family's health, and women's unique and individual health concerns
were being ignored. They believed that women lacked appropriate information about their
health to make educated and responsible decisions about their own health issues. This
meeting culminated in the formation of the first Steering Committee for the Southern
Illinois Women's Health Conference, and the first conference was held in 1986. The
conference has developed into the most prominent health conference for women in southern
Illinois. It provides women an opportunity to spend a day focused on their health and
well-being offering nationally known keynote speakers, over 20 programs on health topics
presented by local experts, health screenings, and exhibitors featuring products and
services for women.
Women for Health and Wellness, Inc. was incorporated in 1992 to
service the region bordered by Interstate 64 on the north, Cairo on the south, and the
Ohio and Mississippi Rivers on the east and west.
Today the organization has an executive director and has
developed into much more than the Southern Illinois Women's Health Conference. The
organization also hosts the Southern Illinois Women's Teen Conference and Women's
Educational Forums on various topics.
The work of Women for Health and Wellness, Inc., is funded solely
through private donations and its single fundraiser, Treasures in Time, A Vintage Fashion
Show. To learn how you can contribute to this organization and further its mission,
contact our offices at 618-985-9210 or email us at address below.
Fran Becque, Ph.D., Executive Director
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