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Since the Covid pandemic, America has witnessed a mass exodus of women from the workplace
- 2.2 million fewer women in the workplace in October of 2020 as opposed to October
of 2019, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Increased responsibilities
at home and career-related changes due to the pandemic and its economic impact have
radically altered women鈥檚 lives.
Added pressures at work and at home take a significant toll on women鈥檚 mental health.
For working women, these pressures manifest in added stress, increased anxiety, and
psychological ramifications, including being paid less money than men for equal听 work.
The same can be said for women not working outside the home, where domestic responsibilities
are quantified by children attending school remotely and the social expectation of
women always saying 鈥淵es!鈥� or being vilified for claiming/reserving their time and
energy.听
While women experience microaggressions at home and in the workplace, women鈥檚 work
is often deemed trivial and not treated with the respect afforded to the adage 鈥渄ignity
of work.鈥� While women lead diversity and inclusion efforts, and contend that working
in places that prioritize such practices is important, the organization and defense
of workplace equity has left women exhausted and mentally depleted. According to the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1 in 5 women experienced mental health
issues in 2019 - prior to the Covid pandemic. Undiagnosed and untreated mental health
concerns can result in depression, anxiety, and increased instances of substance abuse.
As the last three years have forced us all to consider the value of work and home
life, in addition to mental health concerns, women especially are on the precipice
of demanding and instituting radical changes to the societal standards and expectations
of women鈥檚 work, both at home and in the workplace.
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Dr. Martha Phillips
Nurse Practitioner
NEDHSA
Dr. Phillips is a board certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. She
is employed as a mental health provider at NEDHSA since 2015, as former Director of
Clinical Services and currently as a PMHNP. She has been married to Foster Phillips
Jr. for the past 32 years and they have 6 children. She is a healthcare provider,
nursing educator, business owner, and entrepreneur. She is a two-time graduate of
Grambling State University with a BSN in nursing and MSN in nursing education. She
is also a two 鈥搕ime graduate of the University of La. at Lafayette with a master鈥檚
degree in psychiatric nursing and Doctorate of Nursing Practice.听
Dr. Phillips enjoys spending time with her family, decorating, reading, surfing the
Web for new information, vacationing at the beach, and giving advice. She prioritizes
her faith, family, and focus on empowering people to strive to live their best lives.
She mentors young teens and college students who are interested in pursuing a career
in the nursing profession. Dr. Phillips has received numerous accolades, honors, and
awards, but reflects her greatest accomplishment is being married to her wonderful
husband for the past 32 years.听
Her inspirational quote is 鈥淗e thought I was worth saving, so He came and rescued
me, every day I strive to prove I was worth it鈥�. She describes herself as a masterpiece
made of mistakes and precisions, trials and triumphs, rejections and embraces, joys,
pains, sorrows and successes. There are no perfect masterpieces.
听
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Sarah Hoffman
director of Development
Food Bank of Northeast LA
Sarah Hoffman has been with the Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana for over seven years,
and now serves as their Director of Development. She relocated to the Monroe area
from New Orleans in 2011 when she joined the local brokerage of John Rea Realty to
lead their marketing efforts. Sarah鈥檚 desire to help others eventually led her to
move into the non-profit sector. Throughout her career, she has specialized and focused
on community engagement, event planning, brand awareness, and social networking. During
her time with the Food Bank, Sarah has created and managed several events, including
the popular Empty Bowls, Rock & Box, and Do Good Date Night鈩� events.
In addition to being passionate about hunger relief, Sarah is an active member of
the local arts community. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Northeast
Louisiana Arts Council and the Twin City Arts Foundation. Sarah is trained in the
Dare to Lead program听based on Dr. Bren茅 Brown's research and the Search Inside Yourself program, which focuses on emotional intelligence, mindfulness,
and leadership skills. Sarah鈥檚 personal journey in recovery from addiction and living
with anxiety has also given her the opportunity to help others who are facing similar
difficulties and break the stigma surrounding these issues. In her spare time, Sarah
enjoys making pottery and outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and rock climbing
with her boyfriend Sam and their dog Falkor.
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Crystal Fox
CEO & Founder, Registered Dietitian
Healing Nutrition Therapy
I graduated with my Master's in Nutrition and Dietetics from Louisiana Tech University.
As an RD, I specialize in working with individuals who struggle with eating disorders,
disordered eating, chronic illnesses such as diabetes or anyone wishing to improve
their overall relationship with food and their body. I practice from a non-diet approach,
the Health At Every Size (HAES), and intuitive eating perspective. Being a recovered
clinician, combined with my knowledge and experience of working with eating disorders,
helps me treat my clients with compassion and understanding and meet them where they
are in their recovery process. I truly believe full recovery is possible for many
and it is my goal and mission to bring hope to those who struggle with eating disorders.
听
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