By Linda Jackson Cocroft A native Milwaukeean, Jeanette L. Kowalik, resigned her position as Associate Director of the Association of Maternal Child Health Programs in Washington, D.C., and, in 2018, accepted the appointment by Mayor Tom Barrett as Health Commissioner for the City of Milwaukee. Her professional journey had come full circle, bringing her back home to the department where she worked as an undergraduate intern many years ago. Responding to this observation, the Commissioner said, “Although I knew it would be challenging, I have a deep love for my community and Milwaukee. However, little did I know that it would involve leading through a pandemic.”
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By Treva B. Lindsey It was only a few short weeks ago that a tweet from Madonna labeling COVID-19 “the great equalizer” went viral. Echoing high-profile elected officials such New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, this framing of the global pandemic quickly drew sharp criticism. With overwhelming evidence regarding racial and class disparities in terms of both lost lives and lost livelihoods as a result of the virus, any assertion of equity of impact ignores painful yet blaring truths about deeply entrenched inequality along multiple fault lines in the U.S.
— Francine Renee Saffold The Covid-19 pandemic deprives us of our usual connections — giving hugs, spending time with family and friends, shopping, working outside of the home, and attending worship services. We find ourselves struggling with “shelter at home” orders, wearing masks and gloves while maintaining the recommended six feet social distance from others. We are feeling isolated, lonely, and physically disconnected as never before.
Lati Green They harden my heart—these little stones in that wall built from childhood to adulthood, from pebbles to boulders of hurt. “You are ugly. You are fat. You are skinny. You smell like a rat.” These stones are heavy and weigh me down with pain. They make me fall and cry like the rain.
These stones left from mental and physical abuse, molestation, divorce, poverty, low self-esteem, homelessness, prejudice/hate, no love or guidance. It’s hard to see the hatefulness of this world. It’s hard to see that some men have more regard for dogs than Black men. It’s hard to see hungry children without proper clothes. It’s hard for me to understand molestation, prejudice, and hate. “In Milwaukee, African Americans living in senior housing assisted living, nursing homes or homeless shelters are at especially high risk for COVID-19. Older adults are a vulnerable population likely to have multiple comorbidities increasing their risk of experiencing complications or mortality due to COIVD-19. A hotspot has emerged in the city’s northside, with the potential to spread across the city if effective measures are not taken. With this project, we aim to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in these vulnerable populations, reduce fear and confusion during this time, and ultimately save lives.”
Members of the Milwaukee Chapter of the National Black Nurses Association at their 2020 PRAYER BREAKFAST. “There are concerns about working with COVID-19 patients,” explained Karina Brown, RN, President of the Milwaukee Chapter of the National Association of Black Nurses. Continuing, she emphasized,“This is what we are called to do, and the moment for which our profession was created. We’re also supporting front-line staff thru prayers and access to mental health resources to make sure they are ok.”
The purpose of a church wellness ministry is to share beneficial information with the church body,” said Senior Pastor Demetris Crum, of Second Baptist Church in Kenosha, Wisconsin, which celebrated 100 years of service in 2019. “To do what God has called us to do, we have to be both spiritually and physically able to do it. I think about how poor nutrition, over-eating, and other counter-productive habits hinder the physical body.
Voting is Important
Free, fair, and transparent elections are the bedrock of our democracy. Therefore, it is a point of great pride and privilege to me as County Clerk that my office is involved with administering elections. Ensuring that eligible voters are not encumbered to vote is our duty as public officials and Americans. Voting is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution. We must work to make voting as easy as possible, without compromising the integrity of elections, and to ensure that all eligible voters are well informed about when they vote, where they vote and have the documentation required to cast their ballot on Election Day. Consequently, we are conducting a vigorous voter education program in anticipation of the Fall 2020 elections. |
WriterLinda J. Concroft Archives
May 2021
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