Breathing Life into Advocacy: A Day of Inspiration, Education and Empowerment
- Community Researchers
- Apr 2
- 5 min read
International Women’s Day is a time for reflection and celebration. Ada and Lorraine, Community Researchers on the UPTURN COPD project, had the privilege of attending the Caribbean and African Health Network’s (CAHN) International Women’s Day event on 7th March 2025. CAHN is an organisation dedicated to addressing health inequalities affecting Black Caribbean and African communities. For more information about the organisation, visit https://www.cahn.org.uk/
Our backgrounds and unique perspectives shaped our experiences. Here’s a reflection of the day as we came together to listen, share and learn.
Ada: The morning sky over Sheffield was cloudy, heavy with grey, almost looking like it would rain, yet whispering quiet promises of a meaningful day ahead as the Northern Express train gently rocked me into introspection on its journey to Manchester. A journey I anticipated for its professional potential yet deeply personal resonance.
My colleague Lorraine had invited me to attend the International Women’s Day event hosted by the Caribbean and African Health Network (CAHN). The theme, "Womb Health," struck a personal chord. As an African woman in her thirties navigating recent battles with fibroids, the opportunity to immerse myself in this gathering felt deeply poignant. My thoughts drifted to family histories whispered in kitchens, shared quietly among aunts and mothers, their pain rarely validated by medical or societal understanding.
Upon arrival at Manchester station, the briskness of the March morning prompted a quick Uber ride to the venue, anticipation building in my chest.
Lorraine: Upon entering the venue, the atmosphere was full of vibrancy, filled with a sense of sisterhood, solidarity and empowerment. The venue was adorned with decorations and filled with the aroma of delicious African cuisine, which created an inviting ambience.
Ada: Lorraine and I began setting up our stall, carefully laying out materials (brochures, leaflets) focused on COPD, lung health and our research (UPTURN). With cups of tea warming our hands, we welcomed people who approached, eager to discuss COPD and our research. The lady at the stall next to us, on recognising the letters ‘COPD’ on our leaflets, visibly felt shivers of sadness as she shared a difficult story of how her neighbour had tragically lost a son to COPD. Moved and curious, we gently inquired about the neighbour's ethnicity, contemplating if we could sensitively invite her to join our PPI group as a ‘lived-experience carer’ after a suitable period of mourning, of course.
Delegates began trooping in, filling the room with quiet chatter as everyone settled into their seats in the auditorium. The room buzzed with quiet strength, anticipation, and unity, signalling that the day's events were about to begin.
Lorraine: The day consisted of an inspiring gathering which focused on the crucial theme of “Womb Health in a Digital Era.” A line-up of inspirational speakers and performers shared their expertise, experiences and perspectives on women’s health and well-being.
For me, one of the highlights of the event was an inspiring speaker called Clotilde Abe, who is the Co-Founder of Five X More, an organisation set up to advocate for Black maternal health. She shared her personal journey of overcoming health challenges and how she used her experiences to create a space for other women to connect. For more information about the organisation, visit https://fivexmore.org/
Ada: More and more speakers took the stage, each narrative building a tapestry of shared experiences and unwavering advocacy. Tina Backhouse’s words (General Manager at Thermax) echoed in the auditorium and in my heart: “All women should have the same choice, no matter their colour, where they live, or what they earn. It should always be their choice.” Her call to challenge biases to educate the gatekeepers of healthcare resonated deeply. She reminded us that visibility and advocacy were essential pathways to change.
Listening to the representative from Trafford Women’s Voices, my admiration swelled. Their focus on the localised needs of Black women, and their fight to arm young girls and women with knowledge of menstrual, sexual, and contraceptive health, showed me how grassroots efforts truly shape lived realities.
Yet, it was Dr Ngozi Edi-Osagie’s speech that held the room in profound silence. Her name, 'Ngozi,' resonated immediately—an Igbo name from Nigeria meaning 'God's favour,' familiar and comforting as I recognised it from my own heritage. Her tireless research aimed to combat the high mortality rate among neonates who often die from jaundice because the yellowish pigment is difficult to recognise in the skin of Black babies, causing healthcare professionals to overlook it before discharge. Her struggle to have her findings recognised was a stark reminder of the uphill battles women of colour face. Her words etched into my memory: ‘Advocacy demands evidence’. As a researcher, this truth resonated deeply. I felt both challenged and inspired to hold firm in my pursuit, not only professionally but personally.
During the breakout sessions, I gravitated naturally to discussions on fibroids. Sitting among women, young and old, courageously sharing intimate battles against a healthcare system often dismissive or dismissing, I found myself profoundly moved. Their raw, vulnerable stories mirrored my recent diagnosis, validating fears I had yet to fully acknowledge. Hearing stories of dismissals, of invasive treatments offered casually, of women labelled as 'over-dramatic,' a quiet anger and resolve ignited within me.
Lorraine: While seemingly unrelated to the main theme of the event, the presence of the UPTURN stall was a hive of activity, with attendees eager to learn about the project and its impact. We spoke with attendees about early diagnosis and treatment of COPD, as well as the benefits of Pulmonary Rehabilitation.
Ada: After the event concluded, we enjoyed food thoughtfully prepared, including smoky jollof rice reminiscent of home, flavourful jerk chicken, fresh salad, and puff-puff, a Nigerian dessert snack that offered a comforting taste of nostalgia and belonging.
Lorraine: The CAHN event aligned with the UPTURN project’s commitment to addressing health disparities. By attending the event, we aimed to raise awareness of the challenges faced by women with COPD, particularly those from minority and marginalised communities.
Ada: Initially, I attended with professional ambitions, hoping to discuss COPD, share my research, and potentially recruit participants. Instead, I received something far richer—a collective strength, a deeper understanding, and the reassurance that my experiences and those of countless Black women deserved acknowledgement, advocacy, and systemic change. The powerful talks and personal stories resonated deeply with the work we’re doing on the UPTURN research project, highlighting how minority groups often find themselves underrepresented or why they choose not to engage with healthcare services. Our research aims precisely to bridge these gaps, improve health inequalities, and ensure that marginalised voices are heard and valued in healthcare contexts, specifically pulmonary rehabilitation.
Lorraine: As we left the event, I felt inspired, energised and grateful for the opportunity to be part of such an impactful event. We look forward to continuing our relationship with CAHN. Thank you, Charles Kwaku Odoi and the CAHN team, for a brilliant day.
Ada: The return journey to Sheffield was quieter, and my heart was full of newfound determination. As the train rolled gently homeward beneath a fading sky, I reflected deeply. This day had gifted me not just knowledge but a profound sense of purpose and community — a reminder that my voice, intertwined with others, could indeed foster change. Deep gratitude settled within me as I silently thanked Lorraine for inviting me, knowing her thoughtful gesture had opened doors to greater understanding and meaningful connections.
Authors:
Dr. Ada Achinanya, Research Associate (UPTURN)
Department of Health Science,
University of York
Lorraine Lawrence, Community Researcher (UPTURN)
Department of Health Science,
University of York
