On Sunday May 13th I was able to be apart of my sister-in-laws Circle of Strength. Nancy is a breast cancer survivor, and she gathered her support group of family and friends and formed a team she calls "Nancy's Blazers." We walked to support Nancy in her second year of being cancer free and in solidarity for the other survivors and those still battling the disease.

The annual Susan G Komen Race For The Cure attracted 50K walkers in Minneapolis, MN.

Who is your Circle of Strength? E mail me your story.

phi·lan·thro·py (fi˘-la˘n'thr?- pï): voluntary promotion of human welfare.

There is a lot of talk and buzz these days about philanthropy. Many of us have read about Bill Gates, Warren Buffet and Bill Clinton's foray into the philanthropic space and their hopes to have impact on the world's most marginalized. While I applaud their efforts and the media's coverage of their work I'm reminded of the thousands of women, on the ground, in their communities who daily work for the greater good, for the "promotion of human welfare." Some of these women I have met have significant financial resources and apply those resources to benefit those in need. Most however give more of their time, talents and sweat equity to make a difference. And what a difference they make.

In Bosnia I worked with women leaders who convened the men in their community and asked them this: what are you going to do about the men who are abusing their wives? These women shared that it was hurting the economic potential of their community to have this abuse. Further they shared that the women being abused were being prevented from receiving job skills training. Surely, they asked, you want us to have a vibrant community for our children and our children's children? The men took the women's advice. They hosted their own convening and confronted the abusers.

Having practiced in the field of women's medicine for the past 20 years and being a woman myself I feel somewhat an expert in the field of the female psyche. Day after day women come through my practice telling me how tired and burnt out they feel. Some are hormonally challenged, some suffer from depression but all have one underlying theme of not feeling good enough. Just look around at the never ending borage of media telling women who they should be and what they should look like to be smart, sexy and lovable. Every cover story drips with unrealistic diet tips, sex tips for making your man happy, and how to be the perfect wife, mother and friend all at the same time. The sad truth is that we as women have bought it hook line and sinker. The words that come out of women's mouth about themselves are shocking. Why do we as women find it necessary to be our worst critic?

Michele Broad MSN, NP-C owns and serves patients at her clinic in Murrieta, CA. Women's Health & Wellness Medical Office 951.304.3180 michele@healthandwellness4women.com

Thank you for being apart of my Circle of Strength.
Strengthening Women, Strengthening Communities.

Sincerely,