Co-op News
Going Red for Women’s Health
Electric cooperatives across the nation were among the businesses taking part in the 9th annual National Wear Red Day, Feb. 3, in support of the American Heart Association’s “Go Red for Women” campaign.
Workers at Tri-County Electric Cooperative dressed in red to help fight heart disease. (Photo By: Tri-County Electric Cooperative)
The day-long event opened National Heart Month by encouraging people to wear red clothing to focus attention on heart disease among women.
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“It’s the No. 1 killer of women, so we felt it was important,” said Brenda Tesch, public relations director for Tri-County Electric Cooperative, based in Rushford, Minn. Several workers wore red to raise awareness of women’s heart health issues.
Shades of magenta, ruby, scarlet and vermilion were common in co-op offices for National Wear Red Day.
“Fifteen of us work in the office, so we all wore red to bring heart awareness to the forefront,” said Shirley Dukes, communications and public information specialist of Comanche Electric Cooperative Association.
Staffers at the Comanche, Texas, co-op also made a donation to their local heart association chapter to honor employees, present and past, who have faced heart issues.
At Pointe Coupee Electric Membership Corp., Lucille St. Romain, the executive assistant to the general manager, made heart health the focus of a wellness seminar for the co-op’s staff.
“She had two nurses conduct a presentation on healthy eating and exercise,” said Addie Armato, member services representative for the New Roads, La.-based co-op. “Lucille also brought fresh strawberries for the staff to snack on this morning in an effort to remind us to eat red.”
Actress Elizabeth Banks directed and starred in the public awareness video “Just a Little Heart Attack.” (Photo: By: American Heart Assoc.)
In Cresco, Iowa, staffers at the office of Hawkeye Rural Electric Cooperative also embraced the campaign.
“We wore red to support the awareness of heart disease among women nationwide and locally,” said Meagan Moellers, the co-op’s public relations director.
“We hope to make more women aware of the risk factors of heart disease,” said Shelby Potterfield, vice president of marketing and communications at Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative, based in South Pittsburg, Tenn. “We want to encourage them to take preventable measures to better their hearts, health and lives.”
At NRECA’s headquarters in Arlington, Va., about 60 percent of the employees dressed for the campaign.
“NRECA values the wellness and health of its employees,” said Cindy Varden, benefits manager of the co-op organization. “There were both men and women showing their support for good heart health.”
While 90 percent of women have one or more risk factors for developing the condition, only one in six considers it her greatest health threat, said Elizabeth Banks. The Emmy- nominated actress directed and stars in “It was Just a Little Heart Attack,” a public awareness video.
“Every woman needs to be reminded that heart disease doesn’t just happen to men or to someone else,” Banks said. “It can happen to you.”
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Tags: Co-op Newsmakers, Commitment to Community, Cooperatives, Local Initiatives