Heels on the Battlefield: Women Empowerment in Action
Photo of Glassboro Mayor John Wallace, with members of the Gloucester County NAACP by Ashley Ward.
BY ASHLEY WARD | For AC JosepH Media
GLASSBORO — The Gloucester County NAACP hosted its annual Heels on the Battlefield Women’s Empowerment Conference last Saturday, May 10 at the Marriott Courtyard.
Each year, Gloucester County’s NAACP holds a women-centered event. This year, they partnered with Peaceful Minds Haven, which helped concentrate on topics like mental health, childbirth, and postpartum. Peaceful Minds Haven, which focused on topics such as mental health, childbirth, and postpartum care. Peaceful Minds Haven, which will celebrate its first anniversary on June 5, was founded by CEO and President/Executive Director Jasmine Winters.
The organization consists of board members who are advocates and activists in the maternal and reproductive justice space for over fifteen years. They stand to support and spread awareness for moms dealing with mental health issues.
Loretta Winters, president of the Gloucester County NAACP, said she hopes for next year’s conference to focus on menopause, the stage women face after motherhood. To the young women who want to step into leadership and activism, Winters urged, “Do it! If you feel it, if you’re passionate about it, just do it.”
She added, “When it seems like there’s a gray area or something that seems discouraging, continue to press on, advocate for yourself, and teach others to advocate, especially in the medical field. Find your voice, use it, and don’t let anyone silence you.”
Boots on the battlefield refers to men’s shoes or army boots, but Winters wanted a name that women could own: “Heels on the Battlefield.” Women on different battlefields are fighting for all women’s empowerment and family issues. The underlying purpose of this annual conference is to encourage women to be educated and vote because, “The only way we can achieve what we want and get the support we need is to put the right people in the right place at the right time.”
Mayor John Wallace of Glassboro welcomed guests and wished everyone a Happy Mother’s Day to mothers in the room.
“Bringing organizations and events like this to the boro is a feather in the cap of the boro,” said Wallace, who is now going into his eighth year as mayor. “We pride ourselves on being one of the most diversified communities, probably in the state of New Jersey.”
Wallace said he comes from a family of “strong, educated women” and fully embraced the conference.
“Empowering women is empowerment,” he said. He added that nothing makes him prouder than seeing the women in his community thrive.
Attendees listened to several speakers discuss powerful topics surrounding mental health in a woman’s journey into motherhood. The event started with MC Tiffany B. Walker, who introduced Dr. Irene Mintz and gave a warm opening prayer. Attendees then enjoyed Suzann Christine singing a beautiful rendition of “Lift Every Voice & Sing” and “A Change is Gonna Come,” and later serenaded the audience with musical selections by Tori Lauren.
Keynote Speakers:
- Elizabeth Mercado serves as Vice Chair of the women’s committee and Chair of the Labor committee while being a member of NALEO, CLUW, and the NAACP. She spoke on how “burnout is real” and how to prevent and recover from burnout.
- Miesha Stokely holds many positions: She is founder of nonprofit Black Girls Bake Inc., a University of Miami graduate, Nurse, AKA member, and mother. She shares tips on when to seek help and how to identify postpartum signs that shouldn’t be ignored. She explains how motherhood is like being planted, where you must root yourself in love, stretch toward the light for your children, all while needing nourishment like water.
- Bianca and Paul Gause are a dynamic husband-and-wife duo who shared their experiences with mental health and marriages and advised on how to navigate parenthood as a team.
- The Healing Playbook is a subcommittee of Peaceful Minds Haven that stands to create a safe space for men to share and support each other. They shared how isolation impacts men’s mental health, why male friendships in fatherhood are important, and the healing power of brotherhood and mentorship.
- Dakota, a Tough Love Relationship Coach, shares tips on how to heal while parenting. She gives tips for single parents to learn how to manage emotions in relationships, how healing from relationship trauma can improve parenting, and the crucial role of establishing boundaries.
- Ametra D. Burton has a passion for providing healthcare in underserved communities, especially in predominantly colored areas. She shares how being an organ donor or being in need of an organ knows no age, color, or gender. She urges people to talk with their families about whether or not they want to become organ donors.
Special Guest:
- Assemblywoman Heather Simmons is now in her 2nd year of service as a part of the Legislative District 3 in New Jersey, which includes Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem counties. She shares a few words expressing her excitement about the Gloucester County NAACP partnering with Peaceful Minds Haven and discussing women’s reproductive health, postpartum challenges, motherhood, and overall mental health. She shares how she went into her legislative position with an agenda looking for access and affordability to education, world-class health care, as well as women-owned and minority-owned businesses to get the necessities they need to thrive.
Award Recipients:
Towards the end of the program, an award ceremony was held for four special women. They were recognized for their outstanding contributions to the community and their dedication to uplifting others. Each woman received certificates and a standing ovation from the audience. Their stories inspired everyone in attendance and highlighted the importance of resilience and leadership.
- Toshire Maldonado received the Justice In Action Award. Maldonado is a passionate international birth worker, educator, and community organizer who has dedicated her life to Black maternal health and justice.
- Isis Williams received the Community Leadership Award. Williams is a dedicated leader and advocate for equity and inclusion, known for breaking barriers through her roles in civic leadership.
- Janaye Ingram received the Champion for Human Rights & Activism award. Once praised by Michelle Obama as an “impressive leader,” Ingram is a change-maker dedicated to equity and justice, shaping social impact through civil rights.
- Milan Whetstone received the Strength In Motherhood Award. Whetstone is a resilient leader who inspired others through her journey in overcoming infertility and dealing with stage 4 cancer.
Attendees got a chance to win raffle prizes towards the end. Among the prizes were a new crib, an overnight stay at Caesars Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, six life coaching sessions with Tiffany Walker, and more. Zaria Williams, an attendee, shared how she liked the presentation and learned that fathers can experience postpartum. She believed that postpartum is not talked about enough and that there needs to be more empathy for parents. Ingram adds how Whetstone’s story on battling cancer, dealing with infertility, and becoming a mother has deeply touched her heart.
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