At the beginning of the year, the Howell Foundation hosted three experts in the field of women’s health to discuss the major research projects that are affecting the health of women in our community, and will continue to dictate the way women are diagnosed and treated well into the next decade.
Attending the at the event were recipients of our Howell Scholarship Program, who briefly spoke about their research projects –many related to the research that was being presented — from polycystic ovarian syndrome and stress and reproduction, to lung disease due to chemical constituents in airborne matter, developmental disorders due to infertility, and cardiovascular disease.
This story exemplifies what we, as a Board of volunteers, have worked to achieve for the past 25 years: Inform women about the latest research advances for the sake of the individual, her family and the greater community, while advocating for women’s health by funding undergraduate and graduate level researchers, tapping their innovation, and creating a sustainable pool of next generation researchers in the field of women’s health.
The work we have done in advancing the health of the women in our community has been recognized by our City Officials:
- In 2017, Congressman Scott Peters proclaimed November 30th as Howell Foundation Day, not only for our efforts in encouraging women to take measures to improve their health, but also for advocating for women to pursue careers in women’s health to create active change.
- Back in 2013, then Interim Mayor Todd Gloria proclaimed December 2nd as Dr. Doris Howell Day for her leadership and lasting impact in the overall well-being of women in our community.
Dr. Howell built a community where the pursuit of education, the passion for community, and the love for her work are definitely a reflection of her legacy of care. Early on she realized that, by funding undergraduate and graduate level researchers, we were tapping their innovation and creating a sustainable pool of next generation scientists that would continue to keep the women we love healthy.
This is the guiding principle that we as a Board of volunteers have worked to achieve for the past 25 years: Inform women about the latest research advances for the sake of the individual, her family and the greater community, while supporting women’s health by funding undergraduate and graduate level researchers, tapping their innovation, and creating a sustainable pool of next generation researchers in the field of women’s health.
In this incredible journey, Dr. Howell’s vision was very effective in communicating the need to close the gap in research disparities for the health of the women in our community: “How many of you have wives; how many of you have daughters; how many of you have sisters? And I know you all have mothers… What do you do to help them stay healthy?”
Today, almost 270 scholarships later, over 100,000 dollars awarded to research projects that benefit under-represented women in the community, and more than 9000 individuals informed about relevant and pressing issues affecting women’s health, the Howell Foundation continues to support the health and well‐being of generations of women in our community!
We are determined to continue making history and carry our mission for the next 25 years!
For more information on the Howell Foundation’s programs, or if you would like to make a donation, please visit www.howellfoundation.org.
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About the Howell Foundation:
The Howell Foundation advances women’s health by funding undergraduate and graduate research scholarships, awarding grants to scientists who conduct research benefiting under represented women in the community, and supporting outreach efforts and events that promote health education and self-advocacy for the long-term health and well-being of women, their families and the community in which they live.
