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shouldn’t trust emails at the same level as a person standing in front of us. • Protect your computer by keeping its operating system patched. By operating system I mean MacOS or Microsoft Windows as the common ones. If you’re running Linux or UNIX, I’m talking to you, too, but you’re likely already nodding. Hackers - good and bad - find vulnerabilities in operating systems and websites. The good hackers tell the companies so that they can fix, or patch, these bugs and problems. You download the patches using the Internet, the software is updated and secure, and future hackers trying to exploit those issues to get into your computer will be thwarted. That’s greatly oversimplified, but you get the idea. • Help others know and practice good cybersecurity if they’re using the Internet, too. Not everyone in the older generation adapted how they live to regularly use the Internet, so there may be some gaps in knowledge for our senior citizens even about basic usage like sending email. • Antivirus, antimalware software running automatically on your computer, of course. • Enable multi-factor authentication when a site or app offers that option. •Remove your password management from your browser - keep everything in your password manager, secured by one super amazing passphrase. If you do these things, you personally raise the level of security of devices that access the Internet. You’re practicing good cyber hygiene. You are actively working to stop crime against yourself. These practices are simple but do require your attention.

2022 recipients of the NAACP Black Excellence Award

The recipients of the NAACP Black Excellence award were celebrated for their valued leadership and commitment to the community. It’s important to celebrate those who are doing the work. Each person recognized has consistently demonstrated qualities of compassion and selfless service. 1. Dr. Angela Holloway-Payne; 2. Dr. Ashley Payne; 3. Jonathan Bell 4. Tony Gunn Jr.; 5. Marlon Re’Sean Graves; 6. Dr Yvania Garcia-Pusateri; 7. Natasha Lancaster; 8. Darline Mabins; 9. KeKe Rover; 10. Cecily Woodard; 11. Duan Gavel and 12. Michelle Gavel

ART EXHIBITS EDUCATION WORKSHOPS CLASSES FOR KIDS & ADULTS GUEST ARTISTS SIGNATURE EVENTS MUSEUM TOURS

free admission

1111 East Brookside Drive

Springfield, Missouri 65807 417-837-5700 · SGFMUSEUM.ORG @SGFMUSEUM hours of operation:

Monday: Closed Tues-Sat: 10am - 6pm Sunday: 1PM - 5PM

*Closed on city & national holidays

Health Coach, Melesha Bailey

Fibroids—Suffering in Silence July is Fibroid Awareness Month

Springtime equals great time to move into a senior community

July 1 is National Wear White Day to show support for women who suffer from fibroids. by Melesha Bailey

The goal is to bring awareness to a common health issue affecting 20% to 80% of women by the time they reach age 50. It’s a rarely discussed issue but impacts nearly 26 million women annually. Fibroids are a common gynecological condition and a primary reason for hysterectomies for US women. Over their lifetime, about 80% of black women and 70% of white women will develop fibroids. Fibroids are small, noncancerous muscular tumors that grow in and around the walls of the uterus and become attached by a stalk or stem-like structure. They vary by size, shape, and location and often appear during a woman’s childbearing years, caused by the hormones estrogen and progesterone. If left untreated, they can affect reproductive issues like infertility and miscarriage. It’s a horrible condition that leaves many women isolated and feeling debilitated. But, according to some national estimates, they affect Black women at higher rates. These women can show symptoms in their teens and early 20s. By age 35, black women have a 60% chance of developing fibroids, reoccurrences, or suffering from complications, according to the CDC. Diet and genetics can cause women to develop fibroids. For example, some data suggest that low Vitamin D levels can increase women’s chances of fibroids. According to the Black Women’s Health Imperative, African-Americans usually have lower levels of Vitamin D, contributing to their higher risk. In addition, black women have higher rates of obesity, a risk factor for fibroids, and over time, they will become symptomatic as they grow. Fibroid symptoms include extremely heavy or prolonged periods and anemia from heavy bleeding that may appear as blood clots. Often women don’t know they have fibroids until they start experiencing these symptoms, and for many women leaving the house becomes problematic from excessive bleeding. To determine the presence of

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Senior living communities typically have incentives and discounts for new move-ins. by Jacqueline Jadidian

If you’re contemplating when is a good time to begin researching and touring senior communities, springtime is the best season. Senior living communities typically have incentives and discounts for new move-ins. The reason why is because typically the winter season is slow for move-ins mainly due to weather and holidays. The senior communities begin to prepare and advertise move-in deals during the beginning of the spring season to make up for the lack of move-ins during the winter months. Here is a brief list of what to be attentive to and ask during tours: 1. Don’t always equate brand new smile on their face while providor even renovated communities ing a tour, but it is the other staff’s to great care. There demeanor and cusare beautiful commu- tomer service that you nities in our neck of should be attentive to. the woods, but not 3. When you see other all of them provide residents be cognizant exceptional care and of how they look. If it customer service. is a community that 2. Be attentive to provides hands-on customer service; care to residents, a not only the person Jacqueline Jadidian key factor in noticing giving the tour, but how they look (i.e. the staff and administration that dirty clothes, hair not brushed, you pass by. Anyone can put a Continued on page 11

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fibroids, physicians will do a pelvic examination or an ultrasound. There’s also the embarrassment of appearing pregnant as the tumors grow and mimic pregnancy, with heartwrenching effects for those trying to become pregnant. In addition, pain is excessive as women experience extreme pelvic and lower back pain, frequent urination, difficulty emptying the bladder with constipation, or straining with bowel movements which can lead to hemorrhoids. Many women suffer in silence, and for black women, because of a lack of awareness and research, it is a contributing factor to health inequities. Study shows racial disparities in healthcare linked to beliefs and biases about Black women and the treatment of fibroids. Additionally, health disparities affect healthcare and

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shoes and/or socks not on) and if staff notices. 4. Cleanliness of the building. If a building is not clean, including smell, then that does equate to lack of resident care (i.e. carpets, overhead lights, doorways, flooring, furniture). Difference between dirty and old. 5. If you’re touring for someone that is a fall risk, nutritional problems, behaviors due to cognition, pressure sores/wounds and/or incontinent, request to speak to the Director of Nursing (DON) or recommendations, affecting women’s trust in physician-suggested treatment. Women must not be afraid to ask questions and investigate alternative courses of treatment and know what is available before deciding what treatment works best for them. Unfortunately, many women are subjected to prolonged suffering as doctors prescribe birth control pills or other hormones to control the bleeding leading to many unnecessary hysterectomies as a source of treatment. It’s time to bring awareness to this debilitating condition and stop the suffering of women. Pitts Chapel invites you to support “The White Dress Project” with a Fibroid Awareness Luncheon Saturday, July 23rd. It is empowering those with fibroids to be fearless with support, education, and hope for women living with fibroids.

Administrator to receive guidance and a peace of mind. Be cognizant of how the DON or Administrator communicates with you as well as makes time to speak with you; you will know at this point if your loved one will be taken care of. 6. Stay long enough to eat in their dining room. The main complaint or focus in communities is the food. Food = love, socialization, and choices. Food is typically the last area residents still get to decide. 7. Security. Make sure the front doors are staffed by a receptionist and locked during certain hours. Ask about weekend coverage.

Bishop Jones Foote & Mother Dianne Foote

Congratulations on your 51st Wedding Anniversary

The Faith Tabernacle church family would like to honor our founders and leaders, Bishop Jones Foote & Mother Dianne Foote on their 51st wedding anniversary! We love you both! You are a wonderful inspiration to every person you connect with. You both are a beacon of light shining in a dark place! May God bless and keep you for many more years to come!