WS Chronicle

By Ashlea Jones

Rainy weather didn’t prevent women dressed in red from flooding the M.C. Benton Convention Center on Saturday, Feb. 23, for Red H.E.A.R.R.T’s annual Red Bottom Shoes Wellness and Luncheon Affair.

This annual event aims to educate women, specifically women of color, about heart health issues and methods for prevention.

The sold-out event began with a wellness focus. Vendors were available to give health assessments, sell merchandise, and pamper attendees with massages and makeovers.

Emceed by Judge Denise Hartsfield, Forsyth County District Court judge, the luncheon was sold out with over 500 attendees, including special guest Greenleaf actress Desiree Ross.

“I am glad to be in the number today as we stand up for healthy hearts, healthy spirits and healthy people all over this city,” said Hartsfield.

Ross shared a memory of her earliest experience with heart disease.

“When I was two my grandfather passed away of a heart attack and I remember having to console my mother …” said Ross. “I have seen the negative effects that it has on our family … take care of yourself, your mind, your spirit, your body most importantly …”

Heart disease affects women and men alike. Red H.E.A.R.R.T. also hosted their 2nd annual Red Bow Tie Men’s Wellness and Luncheon affair with guest speaker Mark Carrier, former NFL player and senior advisor to the general manager of the Carolina Panthers, and special guest Darnell William of “All My Children.”

Heart disease survivors walked the red-carpet runway while news anchor Taheshah Moise of WFMY News 2 introduced them and read their survival stories to the audience. 

Cheryl Lindsay, Red H.E.A.R.R.T. founder, lost her mother to heart disease and uses events such as this to coincide with the National Go Red February campaigns.

“I am so excited about each and every one of you being in the room today,” said Lindsay. “Especially since we have rain outside, but we are raining red in here and together we are going to make a difference.”

Lindsay, who was also diagnosed with heart disease, encouraged attendees to see a specialist after a cardiologist told her she was lucky to be alive.

“If I did not go, I don’t know if I would be before you today,” said Lindsay.

Winston-Salem City Mayor Allen Joines delivered remarks to the red filled room about the impact of events such as this.

“… There will be a lot of information shared here today that you can use in your life and your family’s life,” said Joines. “I believe that it is well worth all of our time to be here.”

Mayor Pro Tempore Dr. Vivian Burke, former State Rep. Larry Womble, and Dr. Virginia Newell, former East Ward City Council member, received special recognition for their leadership in the community.

Several speakers, such as Allison Ashe-Card, assistant director of career and professional development at Wake Forest University School of Law; Jaleema Speaks, obstetrician and gynecologist for Novant Health; Lakesha Morgan Tillman; elder and first lady of Oak Grove Baptist Church; Lady Leah McNair, Emmanuel Baptist Church, Thomasville; and Rita Wilson, co-pastor of Cathedral of Refuge Church, addressed the group with messages about healthy minds, bodies, souls and relationships.