As we all celebrate Women’s History Month this month, it’s also a powerful opportunity to connect the legacy of women in our communities with our own health and wellness journeys, even here the NEK! Unbelievably (or believably), Vermont is rich in its history of women who have paved the way for healthier and happier futures that we all enjoy!
Wellness is not a trend; it’s a tapestry woven by generations of women who believed in caring for the body, mind, and community long before it was popular. In Vermont, and especially in our rural regions, women have often been the quiet force behind healthier families, stronger systems, and more accessible care. Here’s a look back at how Vermont has woven together its own tapestry of wellness!
Vermont Digger (vtdigger.org) shares that, “in 1999, when her daughters were young, Nancy Heydinger said she ‘wanted to find a way to ensure that they would grow up loving themselves, feeling complete.” This awoke in Nancy Heydinger a dream for all girls to feel empowered, safe to move their feet, embrace their bodies, and build friendships! For almost 27 years, Girls on the Run Vermont is still just as popular today, empowering young girls to build confidence, resilience, and physical strength. From running in after-school groups to community 5k’s girls on the run is just that, a club for girls to run. Her work reminds us that wellness starts early and extends far beyond fitness; it’s about self-worth and belonging.
In another realm of wellness is nutrition, and Dr. Rachel K. Johnson has spent decades at the University of Vermont shaping how we understand dietary guidelines, especially for children. Her research (www.uvm.edu) on pediatric nutrition and energy metabolism underscores something simple yet profound: what we eat matters, and education is a powerful tool for lifelong health. Alongside her, Elizabeth (Betsy) Hiser has translated complex nutrition science into meaningful, accessible information, helping everyday people make informed choices in their kitchens and communities. When we can understand what nutrition is, what it means and how it can change our lives, then we can implement it and reap those benefits.
Now knowing how important it is to understand nutrition is, and having access to materials that simplify healthy eating, food access becomes the next part of our wellness puzzle. Food access, of course, is foundational for health and wellness. Meaghan McKenna, as highlighted on WPTZ, (www.myncbc5.com) for her history-making story, recognizing her work founding Hearts for Hunger. This foundation addresses food insecurity and childhood hunger in Vermont when it comes to equity. Bringing to light that people need to be fed, and especially our young children. She believes that when we ensure every child has access to nourishing food, we invest in the future health of our entire community.
Mental health is equally vital in our wellness and Dr. Christine DiBlasio’s recognition as USA Today’s Woman of the Year for Vermont reflects her profound impact on community well-being. Her work reminds us that caring for our mental and emotional health is not separate from physical health; it is essential to it. Vermonters are too quick to get back to work, brush things under the rug and hope the next day gets better. When we invest in our mental health all the time, it supports our health in a more balanced way as well.
Looking back, we can also honor pioneers like Dorothy Lang, Estelle Foote, and Naomi Lanou, among the first women to study at the University of Vermont College of Medicine in the 1920s (www.uvm.edu). Their courage opened doors in a field where women were typically closed out. However, before them and alongside them, physicians like Dr. Elizabeth LaBoiteaux dedicated their lives to caring for children and underserved populations in rural Vermont, setting a standard of compassion and commitment that still guides healthcare today, making history in how we improve our health outcomes with care.
Closer to home, Susan Alward’s creation of The Wellness Center at North Country Hospital in 1982 was history-making for our region! This was Vermont’s first hospital-run wellness center and ahead of its time. She recognized that prevention, movement, and education belong at the heart of healthcare, not just in response to illness. Partnering with Merrilyn Barry, who still works at North Country Hospital as the Director of Volunteers, they created a foundation for group fitness classes in our community that is still thriving today! If you haven’t checked them out, or not in a while, reach out to mhoaldey@nchsi.org and she’ll offer you a free class pass. What’s even more amazing is that after Susan, there have been only two other Directors of The Wellness Center: Mary Perkins and current director Mary Hoadley, proving that this is a place to be and stay!
What does this mean for us now? It means that every walk you take, every nourishing meal you prepare, every moment you pause to breathe or check in on a friend, you are continuing this legacy! Maybe even making history! Women’s History Month is not only about looking back; it’s about recognizing that we are part of the story. Vermont women been making history in Health, Wellness, Medical Advancement, Education and beyond for decades, and this matters!
Let’s honor these women not just with words, but with action. Prioritize your health. Support one another. Advocate for access and equity. Because when one of us becomes healthier, our whole community grows stronger. Here’s to the women who paved the way and to the wellness we continue to build together. Thank You, Ladies!