The BYU–Hawaii Women’s Organization held its first luncheon for 2016 and set the tone for upcoming luncheons planned in the next months.
To open the event, President Linda Black welcomed guests to an “organization that is a service-oriented institution and seeking to provide intellectual, cultural and social opportunities for its members and to promote a spirit of harmony and unity among the members of the university and the community.”
According to Black, this particular luncheon was an opportunity to “encourage and empower women to take charge of their lives and know what to do to feel and be well.”
She continued, “I know that in the beginning of the year, we focus on new goals and everybody wants to feel well. So we organized this event with good refreshments and invited amazing people to speak” on how people can feel better.
The first guest speaker was Dr. Ye Nguyen, who was introduced as a licensed naturopathic physician, yoga and massage therapist. She said it is important to use natural methods to keep bodies healthy and relaxed. Such methods, or pillars, include a good diet, not skipping meals, exercise, sleep, hydration, meditation, prayer and lifestyle.
The other speaker was Stephanie Marcum, a professional reflexologist and founder of Foothold, a foot-zone therapy company. As someone who believes foot-zoning can perform miracles, she said she loves to help men and women become more self-reliant in their health through foot-zoning or reflexology. She taught simple foot zoning techniques that can help people sleep, stop headaches and neck pains.
Sister Teresa Denison, a senior missionary, said she enjoyed the messages and found it very informative. She quoted Nguyen, saying, “Symptoms lose their power when we talk about them.” This reminded Denison it is important to talk about her symptoms, because it could put her fears into perspective.
Although the luncheons have included topics on health issues before, Denison felt this luncheon was a different approach because it was women teaching women. “I loved it. I love the whole aspect of the luncheon because it brings women together. Women from part of the community and the university that we may not necessarily work side by side but are drawn from all over.”
For Dora Nautu, a BYUH alumna and community member, it was her first time attending the luncheon and she said she enjoyed herself immensely. She was enthusiastic to apply the things she had learned.
“I think those pillars that the doctor were talking about reinforces some of the things that I’ve known to be healthy. So I want to try to do those things like exercise and cut down on my sugars. Try to be healthier for myself and my family, and the foot zoning tips can really help my family.”
Vice President of the organization, Rose Maria Hurst, said, “It is important that women get together and learn together. All of us have issues and problems, and there are a lot of natural ways to heal it. It’s good to have doctors, too, but if we can embrace things and open our minds, we can help ourselves and we can help our families.”
Aside from the insights and friendships gained by the women at the luncheon, Hurst explained, “The purpose of this event is to use the money we get from the people who pay for their lunches and give it as scholarships to students.”
She added, “100 percent of [the money] goes to the students. We know that some of them are praying for such means, and we surprise 10 students with the scholarship annually. We just want the students to be the best that they can be and study hard.”
Sara Roberts, the wife of Gabriel Roberts, assistant coach for the men’s basketball team and a member of the Exercise and Sports Science faculty, said she has liked the information that was offered in the last three luncheons and was excited for the topic about health and wellness.
“I like how they have a lot of volunteer opportunities. People helped with the flowers. I actually helped to set up with the decorations today. And of course the portions go to the student books, so I like to come because I know the money goes to a good cause,” said Roberts.
Another community member, Maia McArthur, found her first luncheon interesting and said she found it fun to socialize with a group of women and get their perspective on life. “It’s great that there are women who have done productive things with their lives and are good examples.”
It was announced that the next luncheon will be held on Feb. 4, 2016, with guest speaker, Anne Tanner, President John S. Tanner’s sister and doctor of psychology. Her topic will be: “It’s a wonderful life and letting go of the ifs and if onlys and finding our unique purpose.”