The Wayne State University Office of Women’s Health used Mason jars to bring the importance of health to Detroit women during its most recent Well Woman Wednesdays event.

Well Woman Wednesdays is a health-focused mobile unit developed by the Office of Women’s Health in partnership with Wayne Health and other organizations. It aims to provide on-site health screenings as well as education to improve primary health preventive measures. Partners who cover all areas of women’s health educate and screen participants. Areas of women’s health that are usually covered include pregnancy and infant health, cardiovascular health, reproductive/sexual health, cancer prevention and mental health. The mobile unit brings health to Detroit area neighborhoods.

The most recent event, held Nov. 30 at the Crowell Recreation Center at 16630 Lahser in Detroit, attracted women 55 and older.

The Mason jar exchange began with Karla Williamson, District 1 manager for the City of Detroit, speaking about the iconic containers from a women’s empowerment perspective. She was followed by an educational talk from fire department representatives on safety precautions in the winter season that highlighted the importance of a fire escape plan.

Partners in the event included the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, the Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program, the Center for Health and Community Impact, the Detroit Parenting Network, Wayne Health, Delta Dental and Make your Date.

The women visited partner tables and gained important educational information, lab work, vaccines and health screenings. The participants also engaged in a chair yoga activity tailored to their age group.

The women received Mason jars that contained motivational quotes about women’s health. They later filled the jars with a salad they arranged from a complimentary salad bar.

Sonia Hassan, M.D., associate vice president and founder of the Office of Women’s Health and a professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology for WSU, provided a motivational talk about health and wellbeing while encouraging the women to take advantage of the services provided.

Amy Wright, M.D., a board-certified obstetrician and director of Community Outreach for the Office of Women’s Health, concluded with a talk about preventive screening and guidelines recommended for women 55 and older.