Meet Your Site Leaders!
C.C. Reeves
Third Year Double Major in Criminal Justice and Biology
She/Her/Hers
Third Year Double Major in Criminal Justice and Biology
She/Her/Hers
How did I get involved with IMPACT?
I got involved with IMPACT my freshman year when I signed up for the Bluefield, WV trip that focused on child empowerment. Call it fate, but being in that town, serving in those specific non-profits, with my particular IMPACT group opened a part of myself I didn’t know existed and blazoned a fire in my heart for social justice that finally gave me permission to explore my passions. Before Bluefield, I feared the word passion. To me, following your passion equated being penniless and brokenhearted. But, Bluefield was magic and ultimately changed the course of my life. After returning to Athens, I surveyed my life and challenged myself to find my passions. One of the biggest one’s I uncovered was my love for HIV. So, my second year I strategically chose to go on the Memphis, TN trip which focused on HIV/AIDS Awareness. For the first time my college experiences started to align. From my majors (Criminal Justice and Biology) to my greater life purpose (to be an Infectious Disease physician), IMPACT helped me find myself and I am excited to continue my journey of discovery by leading my first trip to Birmingham, AL.
Why am I interested in my trip focus?
Health has always played a major role in my life, beginning at the age of five when my grandmother experienced kidney decline and had to be placed on dialysis. Still, it was not until I got to college that I realized the complexities of medicine and the discrepancy in treatment one faces in hospitals and the greater health system depending on the identities one holds. As a double major in Criminal Justice and Biology I am always excited when the two overlap. I hope to use my experiences on this trip to gain a broader perspective of health as it applies to underserved communities. I later hope to use that knowledge to reconstruct the medical field for the betterment of socially non dominant groups.
Fun fact?
I love SOAP OPERAS
Contact
Email: ccr91773@uga.edu
Phone: 678-972-8212
Let's get coffee!
I got involved with IMPACT my freshman year when I signed up for the Bluefield, WV trip that focused on child empowerment. Call it fate, but being in that town, serving in those specific non-profits, with my particular IMPACT group opened a part of myself I didn’t know existed and blazoned a fire in my heart for social justice that finally gave me permission to explore my passions. Before Bluefield, I feared the word passion. To me, following your passion equated being penniless and brokenhearted. But, Bluefield was magic and ultimately changed the course of my life. After returning to Athens, I surveyed my life and challenged myself to find my passions. One of the biggest one’s I uncovered was my love for HIV. So, my second year I strategically chose to go on the Memphis, TN trip which focused on HIV/AIDS Awareness. For the first time my college experiences started to align. From my majors (Criminal Justice and Biology) to my greater life purpose (to be an Infectious Disease physician), IMPACT helped me find myself and I am excited to continue my journey of discovery by leading my first trip to Birmingham, AL.
Why am I interested in my trip focus?
Health has always played a major role in my life, beginning at the age of five when my grandmother experienced kidney decline and had to be placed on dialysis. Still, it was not until I got to college that I realized the complexities of medicine and the discrepancy in treatment one faces in hospitals and the greater health system depending on the identities one holds. As a double major in Criminal Justice and Biology I am always excited when the two overlap. I hope to use my experiences on this trip to gain a broader perspective of health as it applies to underserved communities. I later hope to use that knowledge to reconstruct the medical field for the betterment of socially non dominant groups.
Fun fact?
I love SOAP OPERAS
Contact
Email: ccr91773@uga.edu
Phone: 678-972-8212
Let's get coffee!
Brian Woolfolk
Third Year Computer Science Major
He/Him/His
Third Year Computer Science Major
He/Him/His
How did I get involved with IMPACT?
Unfortunately, I did not attend an Impact trip my freshman year, but many of my close friends did! They all loved their trips and recommended that I participate the next year. During my sophomore year, I had an amazing time on the Shelter and Resource Access trip to Charlotte, North Carolina. I was able to learn a lot about a topic that I thought I was already well versed on, as well as start many friendships that have continued on to today. Now I am super excited to be even more involved with Impact this year!
Why am I interested in my trip focus?
We live in a world where the needs of men are prioritized over women in most aspects of life, especially in health. Many men do not know or even care about the ways that the healthcare system continuously fails women. I hope to become more educated on this topic and to do my part as an ally.
Fun fact?
I have never eaten a banana!
Contact
Feel free to reach out to me! :)
Email: woolfolkbj@uga.edu
Phone: 470-809-3232
Unfortunately, I did not attend an Impact trip my freshman year, but many of my close friends did! They all loved their trips and recommended that I participate the next year. During my sophomore year, I had an amazing time on the Shelter and Resource Access trip to Charlotte, North Carolina. I was able to learn a lot about a topic that I thought I was already well versed on, as well as start many friendships that have continued on to today. Now I am super excited to be even more involved with Impact this year!
Why am I interested in my trip focus?
We live in a world where the needs of men are prioritized over women in most aspects of life, especially in health. Many men do not know or even care about the ways that the healthcare system continuously fails women. I hope to become more educated on this topic and to do my part as an ally.
Fun fact?
I have never eaten a banana!
Contact
Feel free to reach out to me! :)
Email: woolfolkbj@uga.edu
Phone: 470-809-3232
About Our Trip's Focus!
Overview
The Women's Health Trip to Birmingham, AL is centered around giving its participants a holistic review of women's health. Often times women's health is summed to mean only certain health specialties/services that are utilized predominantly by women (e.g. OB/GYN, Maternal Health). We plan to abolish this myth by exploring all aspects of a female's wellbeing, ranging from mental health to homelessness and reproductive rights. Women's health intersects with all branches of medicine and is uniquely affected by various social injustices (e.g. poverty). We will explore all of these and more during our time in Birmingham!
Women have unique health issues, many of which serve as a double edged swords. Women are susceptible to certain diseases that only affect females as well as diseases that affect both men and women (several of which women have increased risk factors for). For example, Endometriosis (a disorder in which tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus — the endometrium — grows outside your uterus) increases women's risk of developing coronary artery disease, making women 400 times more likely to develop heart disease. Women are also more likely to experience adverse effects with drugs (e.g women who regularly drink are more likely to experience brain damage and cancer). Women are more commonly affected by mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety. They also have higher rates of strokes, autoimmune disorders, and osteoporosis. But despite women making up just over half of the U.S. population, they have been treated as a neglected minority population in terms of health care.
Healthy women lead to healthy economies and also to healthy societies. Women make 80% of the healthcare decisions for their families, which means that investing in women’s health is also the key to building healthier families and communities. As women move forward, the world moves forward with them.
The Women's Health Trip to Birmingham, AL is centered around giving its participants a holistic review of women's health. Often times women's health is summed to mean only certain health specialties/services that are utilized predominantly by women (e.g. OB/GYN, Maternal Health). We plan to abolish this myth by exploring all aspects of a female's wellbeing, ranging from mental health to homelessness and reproductive rights. Women's health intersects with all branches of medicine and is uniquely affected by various social injustices (e.g. poverty). We will explore all of these and more during our time in Birmingham!
Women have unique health issues, many of which serve as a double edged swords. Women are susceptible to certain diseases that only affect females as well as diseases that affect both men and women (several of which women have increased risk factors for). For example, Endometriosis (a disorder in which tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus — the endometrium — grows outside your uterus) increases women's risk of developing coronary artery disease, making women 400 times more likely to develop heart disease. Women are also more likely to experience adverse effects with drugs (e.g women who regularly drink are more likely to experience brain damage and cancer). Women are more commonly affected by mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety. They also have higher rates of strokes, autoimmune disorders, and osteoporosis. But despite women making up just over half of the U.S. population, they have been treated as a neglected minority population in terms of health care.
Healthy women lead to healthy economies and also to healthy societies. Women make 80% of the healthcare decisions for their families, which means that investing in women’s health is also the key to building healthier families and communities. As women move forward, the world moves forward with them.
Key Terms
- Reproductive Health: The diseases, disorders, and conditions that affect the functioning of the reproductive systems during all stages of life
- Mental Health: Our emotional, psychological, and social well being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices.
- Sexually Transmitted Infections: An infection transmitted through sexual contact, caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites.
- Maternity Leave: A period of absence from work granted to a mother before and after the birth of her child.
- Noncommunicable Diseases: Also known as chronic diseases, tend to be of long duration and are the result of a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental. and behavioral factors. Can be addressed by helping girls and women adopt healthy lifestyles early on.
- Domestic Violence: Violent or aggressive behavior within the home, typically involving the violent abuse of a spouse or partner. Today, one in three women under 50 has experienced physical and/or sexual violence by a partner, or non-partner sexual violence.
Get Involved in Athens!
Period at UGA
https://uga.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/ugaperiod
Work with local homeless shelters and community centers to provide menstrual products and health education to those in need across Athens-Clarke County.
Freedom From Bondage
https://www.freedomfrombondage.com
A non-profit organization that operates a women's residence for recovery from alcohol and/or drug dependency. Provides a safe, sober, stabilizing environment for women with substance abuse problems.
Project Safe
https://www.project-safe.org/
A non-profit organization working to end violence against women through prevention and educational programs, crisis intervention, and support services for survivors of domestic violence and their children.
PALS
http://www.palsathens.org/
Partnering Ambassadors for Life and Service is a non-profit Christian service organization that develops and conducts educational and job skills classes to equip adult women to gain stable employment.
And more!
Period at UGA
https://uga.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/ugaperiod
Work with local homeless shelters and community centers to provide menstrual products and health education to those in need across Athens-Clarke County.
Freedom From Bondage
https://www.freedomfrombondage.com
A non-profit organization that operates a women's residence for recovery from alcohol and/or drug dependency. Provides a safe, sober, stabilizing environment for women with substance abuse problems.
Project Safe
https://www.project-safe.org/
A non-profit organization working to end violence against women through prevention and educational programs, crisis intervention, and support services for survivors of domestic violence and their children.
PALS
http://www.palsathens.org/
Partnering Ambassadors for Life and Service is a non-profit Christian service organization that develops and conducts educational and job skills classes to equip adult women to gain stable employment.
And more!
Helpful Videos and Articles
Articles
Kamala Harris on abortion restrictions: ‘Women will die’ — here’s what research says about this public-health issue
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/kamala-harris-on-abortion-restrictions-women-will-die-heres-what-research-says-about-this-public-health-issue-2019-10-17
Military Doctors Told Them It Was Just "Female Problems." Weeks Later, They Were In The Hospital.
https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/emaoconnor/woman-military-doctors-female-problems-health-care
How Women’s Health and Wellbeing Can Drive Sustainable Economic Growth
https://womendeliver.org/2016/womens-health-well-can-drive-sustainable-economic-growth/
How life changes like childbirth and menstruation affect women's mental health
https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/wellness/story/life-childbirth-menstruation-affect-womens-mental-health-66139329
Why Are More Black Women Dying From the Most Common Reproductive Cancer?
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2019/10/why-are-more-black-women-dying-from-the-most-common-reproductive-cancer/
‘The Vagina Monologues’ author to deliver keynote address at Women’s Mental Health Conference
https://news.yale.edu/2019/10/18/vagina-monologues-author-speak-womens-mental-health-conference
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/kamala-harris-on-abortion-restrictions-women-will-die-heres-what-research-says-about-this-public-health-issue-2019-10-17
Military Doctors Told Them It Was Just "Female Problems." Weeks Later, They Were In The Hospital.
https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/emaoconnor/woman-military-doctors-female-problems-health-care
How Women’s Health and Wellbeing Can Drive Sustainable Economic Growth
https://womendeliver.org/2016/womens-health-well-can-drive-sustainable-economic-growth/
How life changes like childbirth and menstruation affect women's mental health
https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/wellness/story/life-childbirth-menstruation-affect-womens-mental-health-66139329
Why Are More Black Women Dying From the Most Common Reproductive Cancer?
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2019/10/why-are-more-black-women-dying-from-the-most-common-reproductive-cancer/
‘The Vagina Monologues’ author to deliver keynote address at Women’s Mental Health Conference
https://news.yale.edu/2019/10/18/vagina-monologues-author-speak-womens-mental-health-conference
Videos:
When will Alabama take new mothers' health seriously?
Women’s Health Week: Ask The Doctors Anything!
Why Taraji P. Henson Values Mental Health Awareness
The Most Common Disease You’ve Never Heard Of | Shannon Cohn
WHO - Violence against women: Strengthening the health system response
I broke my silence: My story of domestic violence | Emma Murphy |
Mothers Matter: why so many black women are dying from childbirth
Native American Women Speak Out About Sexual Assault And Violence
Kids Talk Vaginas With a Gynecologist | Kids Meet | HiHo Kids
Intersectionality!
Here are some helpful links and videos on how our focus ties into other social justice issues!
