
Minneapolis, MN – Teresa Kay-Aba Kennedy’s passion and heartfelt efforts
to end heart disease in her New York City community are being recognized
on a national level. Kennedy is one of five women honored with a 2008
Cheerios Sisters Saving Hearts grant award for her work to raise
awareness for heart disease prevention particularly among black women.
Kennedy will receive a $5,000 check from the Congressional Black Caucus
Foundation (CBCF) and Cheerios which she will donate to the American
Heart Association. The national grant program is in its second year and
honors heart-health heroes each spring with $5,000 in unrestricted funds
for operating expenses. Kennedy also will be recognized on the
SistersSavingHearts.com web site and will be awarded a trophy
representing her commitment to her community.
“We are very proud to recognize Teresa for her tireless work, commitment
and compassion on behalf of friends, family members and neighbors,” said
Elsie Scott, PhD, President & CEO, CBCF. “Statistics show that heart
disease is the leading cause of death among Americans, and we know it
disproportionately affects those of African heritage. However, we can
find inspiration and hope woven throughout our Sisters Saving Hearts
winners’ stories. With continued effort, ultimately, we can end this
terrible disease.”
Teresa, described as a woman who is “smart with a heart,” has actively
helped thousands of individuals from all walks of life discover the path
to a healthier heart. She wears many hats in her role as teacher,
trainer and speaker. Eight years ago, she opened one of the first yoga
studios in New York City’s Harlem neighborhood. Since then, she has
served as a holistic health counselor, a life coach, an ambassador for
the American Heart Association and a speaker for the Congressional Black
Caucus Foundation. She holds an MBA from Harvard and a PhD in world
religions. Teresa plans to donate her $5,000 grant to fund a session on
stress and heart disease through Harlem’s H.E.A.L. (Healthy Eating And
Living) initiative.
“Teresa is truly making a difference by leading with her heart and
improving overall health of women living in New York’s Harlem
neighborhood” said Sara Rohland, Cheerios marketing. “We applaud
Teresa’s ability to touch so many women of color with her work. She
inspires us with her extraordinary efforts to promote wise lifestyle
choices and we hope more people will hear Teresa’s story and be
encouraged to take positive steps to end heart disease.”
The CBCF and Cheerios received dozens of nominations for individuals and
organizations from across the U.S. from February 1 through March 15,
2008. Winners were selected by a panel of judges based on their
creativity, quality of service, reach/impact of their work and their
direct ability to help educate women on the importance of lowering their
cholesterol. The grants are part of Cheerios Circle of Helping Hearts
broader heart-health initiative which arms consumers with useful
information on heart disease prevention and provides steps to a heart
healthy lifestyle via diet, exercise, and regular cholesterol and blood
pressure screenings. As the only cold cereal clinically proven to lower
cholesterol, Cheerios is committed to empowering women who are working
to fight heart disease.
For more information on the Sisters Saving Hearts visit
www.SistersSavingHearts.com..
The National Organization for Women applauds the presidential campaigns
of Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama for their announcement
today that Clinton’s name will be placed into nomination at the
Democratic National Convention.
“Hillary Clinton’s campaign made history this year, with 18 million
women and men across the country voting for her in the primaries,” said
NOW President Kim Gandy. “And she will make history yet again when
delegates from nearly every state in the nation will be able to take the
floor and proudly say Clinton’s name in the roll call vote.”
Clinton follows in the footsteps of Margaret Chase Smith, whose name was
placed in nomination at the 1964 Republican convention, and Shirley
Chisholm, who won 151.95 votes at the 1972 Democratic convention.
Clinton, the first woman to compete in all of the U.S. primary contests,
is expected to garner the most delegates ever of any woman candidate at
a major party convention.
Clinton will speak at the convention on the evening of Aug. 26, the 88th
anniversary of women winning the right to vote in the United States. The
following night the roll call vote will take place, when the voices of
the millions who voted for Clinton will be heard and counted.
“Women will not be fully equal until we break every last glass ceiling,”
said Gandy. “Hillary Clinton proved that electing a woman president is
within our grasp. Having her delegates tallied at the convention will
ensure that this important step in history will never be forgotten.”
