Boston Women’s Health Book Collective goes online at www.ourbodiesourselves.org

Boston Women’s Health Book Collective goes online at www.ourbodiesourselves.org (posted 29 April 2001, 5pm)

Here's a pretty old legacy post from the blog archives of Geekery Today; it was written about 23 years ago, in 2001, on the World Wide Web.

Today I was delighted to find the www.ourbodiesourselves.org, the online home of the Boston Women’s Health Book Collective, women’s liberation pioneers and the force behind the classic Our Bodies, Ourselves (including multiple new editions since the original publication in 1970).

1 reply to Boston Women’s Health Book Collective goes online at www.ourbodiesourselves.org Follow replies to this article

Leslie Botha-Williams /# 8pm • 12 Feb 2003

NEW RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Leslie Botha-Williams PHONE : 970-481-6980 E MAIL : lcb@frii.com

Failed Prevention Programs Overlook The Obvious

February 12, 2003, Allenspark, CO.  According to a press release issued by the CASA - National Center On  Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, traditional unisex prevention and treatments programs have not been successful  in treating at risk girl's and/or women's substance abuse addictions. The report, titled "Big Differences In Why Girls Vs Boys Use Cigarettes, Alcohol and Drugs", February 5, 2003, calls for a fundamental overhaul of public prevention  programs - that have failed to influence "millions of women and girls".

http://www.casacolumbia.org/newsletter1457/newslettershow.htm?docid=147504

Leslie Botha-Williams, a nationally recognized expert on women's cycles, believes the report, while citing many valid reasons why young women are more at risk for abusing these substances,  neglects to take into consideration the effects that the hormone cycle has on a young woman's body and behavior. Hormonal changes can interfere with the success of any treatment program - unless education about the menstrual cycle, and the ensuing hormonal fluctuations that can adversely affect behaviors are acknowledged and understood.

             According to Botha-Williams, "The lack of education for women of all ages about the behavioral changes they experience throughout their menstrual cycle is a crucial reason as to why women suffer from so many mental/emotional and physical disorders.  In order for women to understand the nature of their addictions/afflictions it is essential for them to be educated about the their hormonal phases and changes. I firmly believe that understanding those hormonal changes are a deciding factor in the development of a successful treatment program that assists at risk women of all ages in overcoming their addictions."

             Botha-Williams, an author, workshop leader and counselor,  has been researching the influence that the hormone cycles has on women's behavior for over twenty five years. She is a member of the Society For Menstrual Cycle Research and the International Human Caring Association.

             She has successfully developed a program based on her research that assists young women in understanding and overcoming their addictions.  As the Health Educator for Monarch Youth Homes - an in-house residential treatment program for at risk teens ages 13 - 17, she has

worked with young women in understanding the hormonal changes that they go through and has developed an educational approach that combines charting their menstrual cycle (listing physical, mental and emotional symptoms in relation to where they are in their hormone cycle) and Life Skills Education classes on values, choices, decision making, self esteem, health and hygiene. In the two years that she has been teaching these skills, she has witnessed remarkable changes in the program participants once they receive fundamental skills and education about their body’s changes. Botha-Williams states; “With this type of education, women begin to feel that they can “trust” themselves instead of being controlled by others or by their addictions.”

             Botha-Williams is available for interviews on the Life Skills Health Education Program that she developed for Monarch Youth Homes, as well as the importance for women to understand the positive influence that the hormone cycle can have on their lives.

             For more information, contact Botha-Williams at 970-481-6980 or visit her web site at www.holyhormones.com

Follow Up

Rad Geek People's Daily