The Voorhees Cultural and Diversity Committee (VCDC) participated in the NAACP New Jersey State Health Conference at Camden County College on Jan. 14, an event hosted by the latter’s Gloucester County chapter to address critical health disparities among women of color.
Committee co-chair Lisa Witherspoon spoke at the event about the inspiration behind the group’s participation, attributing it to the leadership of the NAACP chapter’s president and club secretary, Loretta Winters. She was in attendance at the conference along with committee co-chair Gwen DeVera and Voorhees-Gibbsboro Lions Club member Sapana Raval.
“Loretta Winters is an inspiration to the entire community of South Jersey,” Witherspoon said. “As president of the NAACP Gloucester County chapter, she has encouraged everyone in the region to advocate for equitable health care and social justice, regardless of the township they reside in.”
The conference was filled with friendly exchanges, moments of reflection and a mix of laughter and tears. Panelists shared their personal experiences as patients in a health-care system that often fails women of color. One of the most impactful speakers was Dr. Chris Pernell, a public-health physician and health equity advocate whom Witherspoon described as “direct, inspiring and very knowledgeable.”
Pernell emphasized the systemic challenges in health care and urged attendees to take proactive steps by becoming their own advocates in navigating care.
“Her words were powerful,” Witherspoon observed of Pernell, “and she challenged us to demand change one patient, one doctor, at a time.”
The conference panelists’ personal stories of overcoming care resonated with the audience – and the committee. It plans to bring lessons learned at the event to Voorhees.
“We hope to develop our own health initiative to raise awareness about the disparities in health care for women of color,” Witherspoon pointed out. “It’s important for us to advocate for equitable treatment and educate our community about how to navigate the health-care system effectively.”
Witherspoon said that as the committee moves forward with plans for a health project inspired by the conference, it will seek to honor the leadership and vision of Winters.
