Member of TN BPW/USA
Activities
FESTIVAL PROPOSED TO HONOR MARY CORDELIA BEASLEY-HUDSON
An important historical event occurred on April 22, 1919 in Benton Co. that very few people are aware of. The members of Benton Co. Business and Professional Women (BPW) were honored to learn about the woman behind this historical occurrence at their monthly meeting on April 28 at Country and Western Steakhouse. President Gail Humphrey welcomed John Barton, Jr., and his wife, Hilary, both from Holladay.
John shared the history of Mary Cordelia Beasley-Hudson, the first woman to vote in the state of Tennessee. After hearing about Mary, John researched geneology records for months to learn all he could about her. Although there were a few gaps, John was able to piece together an interesting history. Mary Cordelia was born in 1852 in Lincoln Co. during troubling times. The Abolision movement had just begun and the political climate was in turmoil. The new Republican Party was formed from members of the now fractured Whig party. In the years to follow, tension broke out among the states over slavery, the nation was hit with a recession, banks and businesses failed and many people were out of work.
In 1860, tragedy struck Mary Cordelia’s father, mother and oldest brother William. Mary and her other siblings are left in the care of a distant relative, Simeon Beasley, who is only 17. Later that year, Lincoln was elected President and 7 southern states seceded from the Union. In 1861, Tennessee joined the Confederacy and the Civil War began. Before the war ended in 1865, Mary left Lincoln Co. and moved to Kentucky. Mary eventually lived with the family of James Stayton until 1872 when Mr. Stayton signed Mary’s marriage bond with O.C. Hudson. She and O.C. settled down in Benton Co. and lived in Camden the rest of their lives with their six children.
In 1918, Mary joined the suffrage movement to help women obtain equal representation. A limited suffrage act was passed for the State of Tennessee on April 15, 1919, a full year before the Federal Act. The governor signed it on April 17 and on April 22, 1919, Mary Cordelia Beasley-Hudson made sure she was the first woman in line to vote in the Camden Municipal election. This also made her the first woman to vote in the State of Tennessee. The next year, Tennessee became the deciding state to ratify the 19th Amendment, ensuring women the right to vote. Sadly, Mary died on October 1, 1920, just prior to the Presidential election.
To honor this brave history-maker, the Geneological Society marker will be placed at the Court Square on Friday, March 24. The celebration will be begin at 3:00 with many dignitaries expected. There will be a dinner following. A coin will be issued commemorating Aunt Cord for $10. Stay tuned for additional details.. If you are interested in learning more about Mary Cordelia Beasley-Hudson, or would like to offer your assistance in getting this event launched, contact John Barton at 584-0873 or email him at jbarton@mirage-ink.com
Gail Humphrey, Rhonda Griffith and Kris Craven attend the BPW/TN Convention June 13-15
in Nashville,TN. At the Convention, Gail was elected to State Treasurer, Rhonda was installed
as Local President and Benton Co. BPW received an award for their website.
BPW/TN held an "Opry" on Friday night for Fun Night.
Benton Co. members Rhonda Griffith, Dawn Sacks Duke and Gail Humphrey joined Bailey Cooper,
from Milan BPW, in their rendition of "Jose Cuervo" as Dottie Chest and the Chestnuts.
Benton Co. BPW members set up a booth at the Benton Co. fair in August, 2008 in keeping with the theme.
BPW MEMBERS LEARN ABOUT HEART DISEASE
Kathy Bishop, RN from TVA New Johnsonville, spoke to members about Heart Disease.
In honor of National Heart Healthy Month, members of Benton Co. Business Professional Women (BPW) learned all about women and heart issues. At their meeting on February 24 at Country & Western Steakhouse, the members were proud to welcome Kathy Bishop, RN at TVA New Johnsonville. Kathy educated members on warning signs, risk factors and prevention of heart disease.
250-300,000 people die of heart attacks each year. Of this total, 33% will be women. Heart disease is the number one killer of women..more than the total of the top 5 cancers that strike women. Up to the age of 55, estrogen levels will help protect a woman against heart attacks.
The symptoms of a heart attack in a man include the crushing chest pain that you see on TV. However, a woman will experience jaw or neck pain, indigestion, sleep disturbances, and/or pain in the shoulder and back. She can experience symptoms up to 4 months prior to a heart attack. However, twenty-five percent of women die after their first heart attack because they do not recognize the symptoms. Unfortunately, only 30% of doctors will recognize symptoms and send a woman to a cardiologist. In many cases, women will be treated differently than a man upon presenting with symptoms. Additionally, a stress test does not work as well on women as it does on men. A woman should request an echo stress test if she suspects a problem. The key to early detection is to trust ones own instincts. Noone knows your body better than you. A person who suspects a problem must get her doctor to listen to her.
Kathy informed the members that there are several factors they can control that will reduce their risk of heart disease and stroke: blood pressure, cholesterol, weight, exercise, smoking and diabetes. She suggested that you know your numbers and monitor them regularly. Kathy discussed each of these factors and ways to take control of them.
The free blood pressure cuff located in department stores is a convenient way to regularly monitor your blood pressure. A reading of over 120/70 is considered pre-hypertensive. The top number is the systolic and is the force that blood exerts on the artery walls as the heart contracts. The bottom number is diastolic and is the force that blood exerts on the artery walls between heartbeats, when the heart is at rest. High blood pressure can also increase your risk of stroke. A good acronym to remember when a person is suspected of having a stroke is F.A.C.E.- F is for face—is the person’s face drooping during the attack? A is for arms—can they hold their arms up or do they drop? S is for smile—have the person smile and notice if the corners of their mouth droop. And T is for time—time is of the essence when you think a stroke is in progress.
Know your cholesterol. Everyone age 20 and older should have his/her cholesterol measured at least once every 5 years. Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is in every cell in the body. Most of it is produced by the liver. It can also come from foods, especially poultry, meat, dairy and eggs. A total cholesterol of 200 mg/dL is a desirable level that puts you at lower risk for heart disease. The risk of coronary heart disease rises as blood cholesterol levels increase. When other risk factors (such as high blood pressure and tobacco smoke) are present, this risk increases even more. :LDL cholesterol is "bad" cholesterol because it’s deposited in artery walls, increasing the buildup of plaque. High levels of LDL cholesterol raise your risk of coronary heart disease and stroke. Less than 100 mg/dL is the optimal number. HDL is the "good" cholesterol that tends to carry excess cholesterol back to the liver, where it’s removed from the body. An HDL of 55 mg/dL and above is considered protective against heart disease.
Diabetes increases a woman’s chance of heart disease by five times. Much of the food we eat is broken down into glucose, which is carried to the cells via the blood. Insulin is a hormone made by the body that allows glucose to get into the cells, where it is used as fuel to give us energy. A person with diabetes either cannot make enough insulin or the body cannot properly use it. This causes the glucose to stay in the blood, increasing the risk of heart disease. Diabetes can be controlled and should be discussed with your doctor.
Watch your diet. Power foods that are good for the heart include cherries, grapes, tomatoes, blueberries, strawberries, leafy greens, oatmeal, avocados, nuts, oily fish and chocolate. Oily fishes, such as salmon, are rich in Omega 3’s. Include low-fat dairy products, food high in fiber, fruits and vegetables and lean poultry in your diet.
Other hints to lower your hear risk include (1) Exercise – women are encouraged to get 60-90 minutes a day, even if it is done in 10-15 minute increments; (2) Quit smoking. Smokers have twice the normal risk of heart attack and stroke. Smoking causes your blood vessels to narrow. Women have arteries that are 2-6 times smaller than men to begin with. Smoking causes your heart to work harder to pump blood, which strains not only the heart, but the blood vessels as well. (3) Avoid sodium, which increases blood pressure. Also drink plenty of water to flush out sodium. (4) Floss your teeth regularly. Gum disease makes you more prone to heart disease because of the germs that travel into your body. (5) Reduce stress. Walk..laugh. Depression makes you more prone to heart disease. Following these hints..eating right, being physically active, not smoking and maintaining a healthy weight will reduce one’s risk factors for heart disease by 80%.
It is recommended that you discuss these factors with your doctor. Also, there are several excellent websites that can provide you with additional information. These include webmd.com, hearttruth.gov and mayoclinic.com.
MARCH 23 - THE PHOENIX
The guest speaker, at the March 23 meeting was Karen Davis-Ahng, a volunteer with The Phoenix, a domestic violence task force which was started in Benton and Henry County in the Fall of 2008. Karen discussed the history and nuances of this task force. The Phoenix is a grassroots, nonprofit organization dedicated to helping domestic violence victims in this two-county area find a safe way out of their current situation and prepare for a new start. It is an advocate for the victims, ensuring that they receive the best care and help them to receive the services they need. Local safe houses are established, which is essential in helping victims to maintain a routine of employment for themselves, school for their children and the support of family and friends. They provide one-on-one care management and counseling for the victims. Volunteers staff a 24-hour line, and victims are directed to a partner who helps them find a safe place. If transportation is not available, arrangements are made to get the victim out safely. They also educate the public about domestic violence. Currently the organization operates strictly on donations, but they are working to get their nonprofit 501(c)(3) status in order to seek grant funding. For further information, email the organization at ThePhoenixDVTF@yahoo.com, or find them on Facebook and MySpace. Or they can be contacted at 584-5232.
