For centuries, women have been seen as the nurturing presence in the family. However, sometimes they neglect to take care of themselves.
So when during Union City celebrated Women’s Heritage Month on Thursday, March 31 at Jose Marti Middle School, the message of women’s health was strongly reinforced.
“We want to honor you, the women of Union City, and we want to thank you, the women that came out today for this great support,” said Commissioner Margie Bombino during her opening speech at the celebration.
Women both young and old packed the cafetorium at school for the program and dinner buffet celebration. Booths were set up in the back of the cafetorium with information on women’s health services for breast cancer and heart disease.
Bombino continued the celebration by introducing a panel of some accomplished women who have demonstrated great success in their prestigious fields, not only in Hudson County but around the state of New Jersey.
Among them were Dr. Maria Elena Saiz, internationally renowned actress Lilia Veiga, Lissette Delgado, Dr. Nancy Tham, Dolly Bosire, Gina Diaz, Diana Morejon, and Flor Onorato.
Community leaders
These women came to share a bit about their life stories and how they overcame adversity to reach their goals, in order to inspire generations of women.
“By making sacrifices, they have been educated and have achieved their goals; you are our inspirations,” said Bombino. “[Today] we celebrate all the accomplishments women have made and continue to in this world. Que viva la mujer!”
Lilia Vega, who spoke at the event, was a well respected and prominent artist in her native Argentina. Viega shared her efforts to start over in America and how she was able to rise to international stardom, even at this point in her life.
“Your have to strive for what you want and to forge ahead,” said Viega. “Nothing is found for free – you always have to fight for it, and it’s never too late to start.”
Although the humble beginnings of all these women were very inspirational in their own right, the advancements they continue to make are remarkable. Due to some of their respective fields, they were able to raise awareness of women’s issues, especially when it came to health.
Gina Diaz, who has worked as a registered nurse for 22 years and serves as the chairman of the Bergen Image Center, talked to the women in the audience about breast cancer, which is one of the leading causes of death for women in the United States.
It is also ranked as the second most common cause of death for women in New Jersey.
“Cancer is a cell that has grown out of control, and early diagnosis is so important because the survival rate is so high when [the cancer] is detected early,” said Diaz.
During her bilingual presentation, Diaz identified what some of the signs are of potential problems in women who are at risk for breast cancer, which can include factors such as unusual lumps and discharges to changes in the breast’s skin texture or discoloration.
She also said the women most at risk for breast cancer are those with a family history of breast cancer, women who have had children late in life or no children at all, and other factors such as consumption of alcohol and use of certain contraceptives.
“The death rate [for breast cancer patients] has gone down in the last 10 years due to early detection,” said Diaz. “Screening is the best form of prevention, and we as women in general have to have a better relationship with our breasts. Mammograms and clinical breast exams will help you live a long time.”
Putting health first
Following Diaz’s presentation on breast cancer, Dr. Marie Elena Saiz spoke to the audience about diabetes, and shared her own story of arriving to this country during the massive Cuban Exile of the 1960s.
Dolly Bosire, spokesperson for the American Heart Association, spoke to the audience about all facets of cardiovascular disease, which claims 500,000 lives a year. Other women on the panel came representing some of the local health facilities, and discussed with the audience the affordable health care they could offer.
Toward the end of the presentation, the women urged the audience to visit their booths in the back for more information, and were invited to stay for an abundant dinner buffet.
At the end of the program, all the women on the panel were honored with a proclamation from the city, signed by Mayor Brian Stack, for all the hard work and tireless dedication they have shown to the community.