Our Bodies Ourselves – Call for Nominations of Women Health Heroes

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http://www.ourbodiesourselves.org/about/default.asp

 

Our
Bodies Ourselves (OBOS), also known as the Boston Women’s Health Book Collective
(BWHBC), is a nonprofit, public interest women’s health education, advocacy,
and consulting organization. Our Bodies Ourselves provides accessible,
research-based information about women’s health and sexuality. OBOS advances health
and human rights within a framework of values shaped by women’s voices and a
commitment to self-determination and equality.

 

http://www.ourbodiesourselves.org/heroes.asp

 

 

 

NOMINATE YOUR WOMEN’S HEALTH HERO!

Contest Timeline: Submissions deadline: May 1 Voting deadline: May 8 Winners announced: May 11 SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY NOW!

When you hear the words “Women’s Health Hero,” who comes to mind? Your 9th
grade health teacher who taught you about sexually transmitted infections? The midwife
who sat with you through 15 hours of labor? The young Nigerian activist you
read about who’s working to end gender discrimination in her country? Or maybe
the neighbor who counter-protests at the abortion clinic every Saturday
morning?

Whoever your heroes are, we want to know about them! We’ve created the Our
Bodies Ourselves Women’s Health Heroes awards to honor those who make
significant contributions to the health and well-being of women. It’s a great
way to publicly recognize people who make a difference in your life or the
lives of others.

Who should I nominate?

You’re welcome to nominate yourself or anyone who has advocated on behalf of
women’s health. Possible nominees include, but are far from limited to, your
nurse practitioner, a favorite blogger, a volunteer at the domestic violence
shelter, the local activist who writes letters to the editor on the importance
of health care reform, or a friend who supports you through day-to-day medical
struggles. If you have a hero, we want to hear about that person.

How do I nominate someone?

You can either write a few paragraphs or make a video about the person
you’re nominating. In your entry, tell us why your nominee is a Women’s Health
Hero. Be specific and give examples of how she or he helps women live healthier
lives.

A video sounds like fun. How would I go about doing that?

There are several options: You can turn the camera on yourself and explain
why your hero is important to you. You can create a video about your hero and
interview other people. Or you can record your hero in action. Be creative!
Videos can be uploaded  to YouTube (see instructions
below). After uploading, entrants should complete the online
submission form.

I’m more of a wordsmith. How do I submit my writing?

Using the online submission form, you’ll have the choice of either
uploading a document or copying and pasting your text.  If possible, we
encourage you to send a photo (see details below)
of the person you’re nominating.

What will happen to my entry?

We’ll post the entries on our website for others to read or watch. You’ll
receive an email when your submission is posted (usually within 24 hours),
along with a link. You can then forward the link to your friends and family and
let them know that your entry is online.

I hear there’s an award…

Even though all nominees are heroes, two heroes will be chosen to receive an
engraved award for display.  Both the winning heroes and the people who
nominated them will receive a complimentary set of Our Bodies, Ourselves
titles, including Our Bodies, Ourselves, Our Bodies, Ourselves:
Menopause, and Our Bodies, Ourselves: Pregnancy and Birth. The
books will be signed by organizational co-founders, book editors and
contributors.  

Who selects the winners?

Our Bodies Ourselves staff will pick one entry, and the other entry will be
determined by the public. The public will be allowed to vote on all entries
between April 1 and May 8, 2009. The entry that receives the highest overall
ranking will win the Audience Choice award.

I don’t have anyone to nominate, but I want to see all the entries!

Go to www.ourbodiesourblog.org/blog/category/womens-health-heroes
to read or watch the entries submitted. You can rate the entries by awarding
them stars; by doing so you’ll help choose the entry that will receive the
Audience Choice award!

Great! What’s the deadline?

The deadline for nominations is May 1, 2009, but there’s never a deadline on
thanking the people who help us live better lives.

When will the winners be announced?

May 11, 2009. We’ll announce the winners at our blog and website, and will
also send a press release about the winners to other media.

Is there anything else I need to know?

Read the small
print content rules for additional information.

I still have questions. Who do I contact?

Please contact Wendy Brovold, Communications and Marketing Manager, at wendy@bwhbc.org or 617-245-0200 x13.