Past WHE Events
TEDxManhattan: Changing the Way We Eat - Jan. 21, 2012
Join Women for a Healthy Environment, PA Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA) and the Food Studies Program at Chatham University on Saturday, January 21, 2012 from 10:30 am - 5:15 pm. (doors open at 9:30). This FREE one-day TEDx event will be held at Chatham University's Eddy Theatre. Feel free to join us for the entire day or drop by for a session. TEDxManhattan will explore the food system—from what has happened, to where we are, and onto what we are doing to shift to a more sustainable way of eating and farming. The themes for this year's sessions are Issues, Impact and Innovation. In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. TEDxManhattan “Changing the Way We Eat” is being brought to you by TEDster and Glynwood Institute co-founder Diane Hatz. The lead sponsor is The Glynwood Institute for Sustainable Food and Farming. TEDx is licensed through TED but is an independently organized event. For more information about the day's agenda, visit www.tedxmanhattan.org
Healthy Home for the Holidays!
'Tis the season to shop for healthy, environmentally-friendly gifts for family and friends! Women for a Healthy Environment is excited to collaborate with the Pittsburgh Public Market to bring you "Healthy Home for the Holidays."
Visit the market located on Smallman Street (between 16th and 17th Streets) in the Strip District on Saturday, December 10, 2011 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm to visit local businesses who offer fun, safe and creative gifts for the holiday season.
Wood toys, sustainable home furnishings, soy candles, and natural bath and beauty products are just a few of the items that will be available for purchase. Admission to the market is free. We hope you will be able to join us and celebrate the season!
Creating Healthy Places to Live, Learn, and Play (October 24, 2011)
TEDxManhattan: Changing the Way We Eat - Jan. 21, 2012
Join Women for a Healthy Environment, PA Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA) and the Food Studies Program at Chatham University on Saturday, January 21, 2012 from 10:30 am - 5:15 pm. (doors open at 9:30). This FREE one-day TEDx event will be held at Chatham University's Eddy Theatre. Feel free to join us for the entire day or drop by for a session. TEDxManhattan will explore the food system—from what has happened, to where we are, and onto what we are doing to shift to a more sustainable way of eating and farming. The themes for this year's sessions are Issues, Impact and Innovation. In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. TEDxManhattan “Changing the Way We Eat” is being brought to you by TEDster and Glynwood Institute co-founder Diane Hatz. The lead sponsor is The Glynwood Institute for Sustainable Food and Farming. TEDx is licensed through TED but is an independently organized event. For more information about the day's agenda, visit www.tedxmanhattan.org
Healthy Home for the Holidays!
TEDxManhattan: Changing the Way We Eat - Jan. 21, 2012
Join Women for a Healthy Environment, PA Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA) and the Food Studies Program at Chatham University on Saturday, January 21, 2012 from 10:30 am - 5:15 pm. (doors open at 9:30). This FREE one-day TEDx event will be held at Chatham University's Eddy Theatre. Feel free to join us for the entire day or drop by for a session. TEDxManhattan will explore the food system—from what has happened, to where we are, and onto what we are doing to shift to a more sustainable way of eating and farming. The themes for this year's sessions are Issues, Impact and Innovation. In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. TEDxManhattan “Changing the Way We Eat” is being brought to you by TEDster and Glynwood Institute co-founder Diane Hatz. The lead sponsor is The Glynwood Institute for Sustainable Food and Farming. TEDx is licensed through TED but is an independently organized event. For more information about the day's agenda, visit www.tedxmanhattan.org
'Tis the season to shop for healthy, environmentally-friendly gifts for family and friends! Women for a Healthy Environment is excited to collaborate with the Pittsburgh Public Market to bring you "Healthy Home for the Holidays."
Visit the market located on Smallman Street (between 16th and 17th Streets) in the Strip District on Saturday, December 10, 2011 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm to visit local businesses who offer fun, safe and creative gifts for the holiday season.
Wood toys, sustainable home furnishings, soy candles, and natural bath and beauty products are just a few of the items that will be available for purchase. Admission to the market is free. We hope you will be able to join us and celebrate the season!
'Tis the season to shop for healthy, environmentally-friendly gifts for family and friends! Women for a Healthy Environment is excited to collaborate with the Pittsburgh Public Market to bring you "Healthy Home for the Holidays."
Visit the market located on Smallman Street (between 16th and 17th Streets) in the Strip District on Saturday, December 10, 2011 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm to visit local businesses who offer fun, safe and creative gifts for the holiday season.
Wood toys, sustainable home furnishings, soy candles, and natural bath and beauty products are just a few of the items that will be available for purchase. Admission to the market is free. We hope you will be able to join us and celebrate the season!
Rachel Carson Forum: Creating Healthy Places to Live, Learn and Play is a full day conference on October 22, 2011 for people who educate, care for and care about young children. This event draws together people with expertise and experience in providing healthy, safe and fun environments for the most vulnerable among us - our young children. We will hear from Phil Boise, author of The Go Green Rating Scale, Jane Houlihan, Vice President for Research of the Environmental Working Group and plenary panel on meeting environmental goals in multiple quality standards. Workshops will address administrative procedures for green facility operations, avoiding toxics indoors and outdoors, economic metrics for green operations, and teaching young children about the environment. Attendees may receive Act 48 or PQAS continuing education credits (6 ceu).
Presented by: Rachel Carson Institute of Chatham University, Pittsburgh Association for the Education of Young Children, Women for a Healthy Environment, and Sense of Place Learning, Inc. For registration, click here. Call Patricia DeMarco at 412-708-9277 for information and sponsorship opportunities.
Redefining Business and Beauty (October 11, 2011)
Thank you for joining Women for a Healthy Environment, Center for Victims of Violence and Crime, EVE project and New Voices Pittsburgh to hear from A'Lelia Bundles, the great-great granddaughter of Madam C.J. Walker – one of the twentieth century’s most successful, self-made women entrepreneurs.
Ms. Walker created Madam Walker’s Wonderful Hair Grower, a scalp conditioning and healing formula, and sold her products door to door. “In 1908, she temporarily moved her base to Pittsburgh where she opened Lelia College to train Walker 'hair culturists.' By early 1910, she had settled in Indianapolis…where she built a factory, hair and manicure salon and another training school. By the time she died at her estate…she had helped create the role of the 20th Century, self-made American businesswoman; established herself as a pioneer of the modern black hair-care and cosmetics industry; and set standards in the African-American community for corporate and community giving.” (www.madamcjwalker.com)
Ms. Bundles shared fascinating stories and dispelled many myths about her ancestor's improbable rise to the top of an international hair care empire that would be run by four generations of Walker women. Ms. Bundles is president of the Madam Walker/A’Lelia Walker Family Archives and author of On Her Own Ground: The Life and Times of Madam C. J. Walker, the award-winning, New York Times bestselling biography of Madam C. J. Walker. An accomplished and engaging public speaker, she has delivered keynote addresses at dozens of events, book festivals and conferences including Harvard University, London City Hall, the National Archives and on all the major television and radio networks including ABC, NBC, CBS, BBC, PBS and NPR.
Following Ms. Bundles’ presentation, a panel discussion connected the past to the present revealing Madam C. J. Walker's Pittsburgh roots; the trials and triumphs of black women as entrepreneurs; and the importance of, and oppportunity for, black women today to create and advocate for safe personal care products.
.jpg)
We are especially grateful to the Highmark Foundation and Eden Hall Foundation for providing financial assistance, so that we may bring you this fabulous program.
National Stroller Brigade in Pittsburgh
On August 10th, a National Stroller Brigade occurred across 20 states with 200 organizations participating. Women for a Healthy Environment and Learning Disabilities Association of America hosted a Pittsburgh Stroller Brigade for local parents and kids to come together and support the Safe Chemicals Act of 2011. The Brigade started at Mr. Rogers' statue on the North Shore and paraded to the water steps where parents could have their children's toys tested for elements of concern such as lead, mercury, cadmium and arsenic.
The Safe Chemicals Act of 2011 is such an important issue because current laws that regulate consumer products have not been updated in over 30 years. Since the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) was passed in 1976, over 80,000 chemicals have been introduced; just over 200 have been reviewed by the EPA; and only five have been regulated! The Safe Chemicals Act of 2011, introduced by Senator Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey, would raise chemical safety in consumer products and reduce most toxic chemicals readily available. Companies would be required to give more information about the product and populations like women and children would be more protected with this information. Consumers deserve the right to know what they are purchasing and how their bodies are being affected. We encourage you to support companies that fully disclose all ingredients and provide you with safe and natural ingredients to keep you and your family healthy.
And we need your help! Please contact your U.S. Senator and ask him/her to co-sponsor the Safe Chemicals Act of 2011 and protect our families. They can be reached at the Capitol switchboard: (202) 224-3121 or feel free to send a personal note!
Click the picture below for more photos of the Stroller Brigade!
Face It... Healthy Beauty from the Inside Out (June 7, 2011)
Pittsburgh City Council declared the week of June 6th "Safe Cosmetics Week" in celebration of educating the public about personal care product safety. WHE had a wonderful time connecting with network members and meeting new friends as we explored this important issue in a fun and informative way!
Thanks to all the attendees of WHE's first fundraiser, Face It...Healthy Beauty from the Inside Out! On June 7th at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens we learned about the dark side of personal care products (such as how the FDA has no ability to recall a product known to contain harmful ingredients including mercury, lead or formaldehyde) and then had an opportunity to shop around for alternatives. Participants enjoyed a panel discussion hosted by WQED's Emmy-award winning correspondent, Tonia Caruso, and featuring comments from Jessa Blades with Blades Natural Beauty; Betsy George, a representative from Duchess Marden; Vanessa Green, from the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics; and Michelle Naccarati-Chapkis, Executive Director of Women for a Healthy Environment. There was also an opportunity to participate in makeup demontrations by natural beauty expert, makeup artist, and women's health advocate, Jessa Blades.
Additional vendors who participated in the event included As I am Naturals, Cherry Valley Organics, Simple Sugars Scrub, Third Day Luxury Soaps, and Una Biologicals. Thanks for your support of these wonderful local women who are creating safe, natural alternatives! If you're concerned about the safety of your personal care products, make sure to visit our "Find a Safer Product" section.
Click the picture below to check out more photos from the Face it Event!
Special thanks to our "Total Makeover" sponsors!
Using Our Voices: The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics Advocate Workshop (June 8, 2011)
The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, Women for a Healthy Environment, Women and Girls Foundation, Girls Coalition of Southwestern Pennsylvania, and Strong Women, Strong Girls hosted a unique information-sharing and skill-building workshop on Wednesday, June 8th at the Union Project in East Liberty.This free workshop brought together a variety of community members in order to hone their women's health and environmental health advocacy skills. Education and Outreach Coordinator Vanessa Green introduced us to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics tools and resources, discussed best practices for advocacy in the community, and helped participants to use the messages, frames and tools provided by the national Campaign for our own local engagement. We also heard from local natural beauty entrepeneurs, and women and girls empowerment groups. Participants were provided with a Safe Cosmetics toolkit and new motivation for making positive change through the market, policy reform and community outreach.
The Stories, the Science, and the Solutions behind Air Pollution in Western Pennsylvania (3/30/11)
Don Hopey and David Templeton, authors of Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's “Mapping Mortality” series, will lead an evening forum with individuals featured in the articles. This event will pull the people from the pages to share their struggles and concerns. A question and answer session will follow, allowing the audience to ask questions of the authors, the featured individuals and air quality experts. Finally, rounding out the evening, local environmental leaders will discuss current regulations and what actions we can take to improve our environment and public health. Brought to you by Center for Coalfield Justice, Clean Water Action, Environmental Integrity Project, Group Against Smog and Pollution, Penn Environment, Penn Future, Rachel Carson Institute at Chatham University, Sierra Club Allegheny Group, and Women for a Healthy Environment.
TEDx Viewing Party at Duquesne University (2/12/11)
TEDx Manhattan, "Changing the Way We Eat" highlights the sustainable food movement and the work being done to shift the food system from industrially-based agriculture to healthy, nutritious, accessible foods. The event is scheduled into three sessions, approximately an hour and half each. "What went wrong?" "Where are we?" and "Where are we going?" with a 45 minute break between each session. The local viewing will feature a panel of local sustainable food system leaders. Your participation is key to the discussion of continuing to accelerate this region's sustainable food movement. For more background, visit www.tedxmanhattan.org
Chemical Policy: Improving Our Health and Economy (12/9/10)
Read an article about this event here.
Women for a Healthy Environment and Learning Disabilities Association of America hosted “Chemical Policy: Improving Our Health and Economy, ” a public forum highlighting Pittsburgh perspectives on evolving science, policy, and the global market. Protecting our families, including our most vulnerable populations, from toxic chemical exposures is an issue of concern to us all, regardless of political affiliation or economic status. The evening featured our region’s expertise on health outcomes, business strategy and policy related to chemicals, and opportunities for preventing disease and strengthening our industrial competitiveness in a changing world.
Speakers included:
• Felicia Bayer - Manager, Health Services Center of Excellence, Alcoa Corporation
• Noedahn Copley-Woods, M.D. - Obstetrician/Gynecologist, Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC
• David Dausey, Ph.D. - Senior Director of Health Programs and Initiatives and Professor at Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College
• Daryl Ditz, Ph.D. - Senior Policy Advisor, Center for International Environmental Law
Summer Sun: Simple Steps to Safer Skin (5/25/10)
How do I protect my skin from sun damage? What is the difference between sunscreen and sun block? Are all sunscreen products safe? This workshop addressed these topics and many more, including skin cancer prevention and early detection, UV radiation and tanning risks.Panelists for the evening included Suzan Obagi, M.D., Director of the UPMC Cosmetic Surgery and Skin Health Center, and David Andrews, Ph.D., Senior Scientist of the Environmental Working Group (EWG). Press Release (PDF) Presentation Materials (PDF)
Family Food and Fun Day: Healthy Cooking with Soul (5/15/10)
Parents, caregivers, and children joined WHE and the Pittsburgh public Schools for a fun-filled day of activities that focused on healthy food choices and nutrition. Attendees participated in cooking demonstrations with chefs and certified food educators, learned helpful tips from a registered dietician, enjoyed healthy food selections including healthy snacks and desserts, and planted seeds to start their own gardens! Press Release (PDF)
Beyond Paper and Plastic: A Closer Look at Recycling and Environmental Toxins (3/22/10)
We have all heard of the three R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, but this should go beyond paper and plastic. WHE invited three panelists to take a closer look at recycling and environmental toxins: Sarah Alessio (Environmental Program Specialist, Pennsylvania Resources Council), Ned Eldridge (President, eLoop llc), and Mike Gable (Executive Director, Construction Junction). Press Release (PDF) Presentation Materials (PPT)
