Our
Mission
"We
function…with the philosophy that the power to shape, mould and direct women's
health must be placed in the very hands of the women who walk through our doors
and who envision, participate in and deliver our programs. We are a centre that
attempts to walk what we talk - to acknowledge the complexities of women's lives
and to acknowledge the ways in which the determinants of health…affect women."
-
Ann Phillips, past Chair of the Board 1997-2000
Our
Symbol
A woman with her arms stretched above her head to form a heart.
Our logo represents a woman armed with knowledge and self-love ready to embrace
her total health. Designer Debbie Adams, Adams + Associates, worked with us to
take a simple image and give it the life and movement to adequately represent
who we are and the women we serve.
"Our
work cannot be done in isolation. We must also acknowledge the full participation
of the women we work with as essential to our growth."
- Eunadie Johnson,
Executive Director
"I
really believe that Women's Health in Women's Hands saved my life…I've been
coming here for four years and the staff has helped me put my life back together.
They've helped me deal with my health problems and stress and I never felt that
they were judging me. I couldn't have done this alone…"
- a woman
who uses WHIWH
Our
Space
"Our
Health Promotion Coordinator referred to the design of our space as ‘Architectural
Health Promotion’ in action. The design of this space…is conducive to
health promotion; [it] is inviting and warm and comfortable…A recurring theme
emerged [during consultations with women's groups] about the physical environment.
[They said]: ‘We do not want a Centre that is not clean in appearance, cockroach
infested or has an absence of light. [People] may think we are poor women with
problems. We are women and we want something that validates who we are; that makes
us feel healthy!’ We took that to heart and with our site committee and Susan
Speigel Architects, we insisted on making it happen."
- Joan Grant-Cummings,
former Executive Director, WHIWH1993-1996
