Women’s Health USA – July-August 2020
English | 121 pages | pdf | 133.4 MB
This issue’s theme, “strength,” was initially conceived as a celebration of women in sport. But when the coronavirus pandemic hit and the Olympics were postponed, everything changed.
Sad as we were for the athletes, and for the loss of an uplifting, inspiring tradition, the WH team was fiercely onboard with the decision to prioritize lives and safety.
In this new reality, “strength” was already taking on a new meaning when the world turned upside down again as we all confronted the devastating tragedy of George Floyd’s murder. His life mattered, and so did the lives of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery…and the many victims before them.
In all honesty, it has been a humbling time at Women’s Health. As a team, we sprang into action, committing to uncomfortable conversations with each other and creating goals and action items to hold ourselves accountable as journalists and WH staffers. It was just the beginning, yet it took, well, a lot of strength.
But strength is more than running forward as fast you can. It’s a marathon as well as a sprint. As a runner, I know that speed workouts make me faster and fitter, but overall fitness must include endurance. The real-life application of this metaphor means being in it for the long haul—not just recognizing our blind spots, but embracing all of the growth and change we’re capable of so this world can be a better place.
Ultimately, strength has acquired a deeper meaning for most of us. It is embodied by women like Latham Thomas, a doula and meditation expert who has committed herself to saving black mothers and their babies (page 124). And Marie-Laure Romney, MD, a doctor on the front lines who puts on PPE and courageously treats sick patients every single day (page 97). Hopefully, at times you even find it in yourself, like I am trying to, when you admit that your words aren’t even close enough—that they are painfully imperfect—but you still speak up anyway. The common denominator: We’re all reconsidering our previous notions of what strength is. And that is an opportunity
we definitely don’t want to take for granted.
Women’s Health Magazine stands in solidarity with our community today and every day, and we’re right beside you for every step and mile in front of us.
Download from: