Login    Sites MenuBlueStep
WELCOME

Welcome to the official website for the Westchester Women's Bar Association, a professional organization of male and female lawyers and judges who live or work in Westchester County, and one of the largest chapters of the Women's Bar Association of the State of New York ("WBASNY").

February 2010

President's Message
by Deborah A. Scalise, Esq.

Deborah A. Scalise, Esq.February is known for Valentine‘s Day, a day symbolized by hearts. We may give cards with pictures of hearts or candy filled hearts as gifts to demonstrate our love to those we care about. February is also known as Heart Health month and this year the WWBA and WBASNY will again participate in the American Heart Association‘s (“AHA”) Go Red for Heart Campaign (www.goredforwomen.org) to raise awareness about heart disease.

All too often, lawyers, and women lawyers in particular, are so involved in taking care of others that we forget to take care of ourselves. We take care of our families and our clients. We put off our needs, sometimes failing to heed our body‘s signals and warning signs. Unfortunately, heart attacks and strokes are leading causes of disability and death in women today. I would venture to say that many of us are unaware of the symptoms1 that indicate heart trouble or stoke for a woman.

According to the AHA, warning signs for heart attacks are:

- Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
- Discomfort in other areas of the up per body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
- Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
- Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

And the warning signs for stroke are as follows:

- Sdden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
- Sudden, severe headache with no known cause.

You can experience one or all of the aforementioned symptoms. Unfortunately, they are often ignored because they can be confused with other ailments that we assume can be cured with an over the counter non-prescription medication. In addition, women who smoke, lack proper sleep habits (five hours or less or nine hours or more) have high blood pressure, and/or have a family history of heart trouble or stroke are at a greater risk for heart disease or stroke. In fact, knowing the symptoms can help you take swift action to seek treatment and to avoid serious complications.

So what can a busy attorney and WWBA member do? First, have yearly check-ups, and if you are at risk due to one of the above categories, you should inform your health care professionals so that they can monitor your health. If you are not at risk, you should still educate yourself by going to a seminar about heart health such as the American Heart Association‘s Go Red for Women event later this month (see our calendar or website for details). Even if you do not have the time, make time! At the very least, visit the American Heart Association‘s website at americanheart.org to learn what you need to know to care for yourself in the event that you, or a loved one experiences symptoms of a heart attack or stroke. Doing so will benefit you, because you will be equipped to deal with the situation to prevent serious damage and possibly save a life, including your own.

In the long run, taking the time to care for yourself and your own heart health will not only benefit you, but also all those you usually take care of. You will be around longer to attend to the needs of your clients. You will also be around to send your loved ones the Valentine‘s cards with pictures of hearts or candyfilled hearts. So, think of this message as the WWBA‘s Valentine to you, in which we invite all of you to show love for yourself, and thereby, those you care about by educating yourself to ensure that you stay heart healthy! Six months and counting to our 35th!  

UPCOMING  EVENTS 10 of 10
Events occurring within the next 90 days.
Time zone shifted 02/09/2010 3:30PM Decanting Trusts: Old Wine in a New Bottle
Time zone shifted 02/19/2010 1:15PM New Lawyers Committee Event
Time zone shifted 02/24/2010 4:00PM Special Needs Planning for Students with Disabilities
Time zone shifted 02/25/2010 7:30AM Go Red For Women Luncheon & Learning Sessions
Time zone shifted 03/03/2010 3:30PM WWBA Board Meeting
Time zone shifted 03/12/2010 10:30AM Meet Judge Connolly
Time zone shifted 03/25/2010 4:00PM Women and the Law: Pathways to Leadership
Time zone shifted 04/07/2010 3:30PM WWBA Board Meeting
Time zone shifted 04/27/2010 4:00PM Special Education Mediation
Time zone shifted 05/05/2010 3:30PM WWBA Board Meeting
SAVE THE DATE!

WBASNY Convention 2010
Celebrating 30 Years!
To be held at Honor’s Haven Resort & Spa
Ellenville, New York
May 21 – 23, 2010
www.honorshaven.com

WWBA NEWS

The February 2010 Newsletter is here! (Please note, this is a large file and may take a few minutes to download.)

  

NEW!  You can now fill out your membership application and pay your dues online!

  

Member Benefits

 

Pace Law School announces its’ New Directions: Practical Skills for Returning to Law Practice Program

 

DV Video Now Available

 

Notes on Members

 

 

  Newsletter Archive  

 

  WWBA News Archive