HerSelf First: Women Supporting Women
HerSelf First encourages women to support, energize, inspire, and build one another up, to form communities, networks, and important connections that help every woman realize her best Self. Women achieve greater degrees of success and personal happiness from working together, staying connected with critical support systems, and making positive contributions that uplift fellow women rather than deride and isolate. HerSelf First aims to educate and empower women to elevate themselves by elevating one another.
HerSelf First was launched in 2011 as a pilot program with Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy,(PPMD), the leading organization in the fight against Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. HerSelf First was originally conceived with a focus on caregivers, specifically creating resources to help caregivers focus on their own wellness needs. Currently, HerSelf First is an independent entity broadening its reach to encourage women across all populations and demographics to invest in the realization of their best Selves.
For inquiries on workshop/seminar and speaking opportunities or for questions, contact Sheila C. Moeschen, Founder/Director: sheila@herselffirst.com
About Director/Founder, Sheila C. Moeschen, PhD
Sheila C. Moeschen holds an Interdisciplinary PhD in Gender and Theatre Studies from Northwestern University. She has taught at the college level for Bentley University where she also held an appointment as Assistant Director of the Bentley University Women’s Leadership Institute and worked as Faculty Advisor to the Bentley University Women’s Center. There she was awarded the 2008 “Woman of the Year” by the Black United Body for her work on gender issues at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Dr. Moeschen is a writer whose articles have appeared on MariaShriver.com, The Huffington Post, BlogHer, Inspired Wining, Girl w/Pen and Happy Woman Magazine and in scholarly journals such as Women’s Studies Journal, Disability Studies Quarterly, and Comparative Drama. Dr. Moeschen’s book Acts of Conspicuous Compassion: Performance Culture and American Charity Practices is forthcoming in Spring of 2013 from the University of Michigan Press. To access links to all articles and publications or to contact Sheila about freelance writing opportunities, visit: sheilamoeschen.com.
Copyright © 2013 HerSelf First
This Dr Moeschen seems like a real brainy fancypants! I wonder what she was like in her twenties…
HA! I’ll never tell
xoxoxo!
Hi! So grateful that this site exists and even more grateful I came here! It’s been over 10 years since my sons DMD diagnosis and to say its taken it’s toll on me is a drastic understatement! Over the years I have lost basically every friend I had. Some avoided me cause they felt guilty, some cause they minimized the situation and others cause they didn’t agree with how I handled, felt etc. It’s always been a touchy subject with my family as well and just last week I told my family to stay away. I’m left with 1 person I can count on. I’ve had several mental breakdowns trying to convince my family that my son is not normal. They say I dwell on his DMD diagnosis. For too many years I’ve heard don’t feel like that, don’t think like that, don’t ask that. I am drained and alone how and where do I even begin to climb out of this?
Hi Amy,
Welcome! You are NOT alone for sure! Thank you for stopping by and for your incredibly brave comment. We have a wonderful, supportive community of women and families who “get it” and who work together to help each other gain resilience, reclaim positivity, and do their best to live to the fullest in the face of this terrible disease. I would encourage you to get further connected through our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/HerSelfFirst and also to visit Parent Project at parentprojectmd.org. There are wonderful resources and even more families with whom you can connect. We’re happy to have you, Amy! Be well!
I would like to nominate you for the Liebster award which is given to up and coming bloggers to encourage them to continue their work. What is a Liebster? The meaning: Liebster is German and means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome. http://simplymejustbe.wordpress.com/2013/04/03/feeling-the-l-o-v-e-twice-as-nice/
Thank you!!