The current popularity of female characters like Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games and Princess Merida in Brave—strong women who refuse to be subdued or victimized—might seem like a modern phenomenon, but the archetype has ancient roots. Atalanta, the famous hunter and runner in ancient Greek mythology, began life abandoned on a mountaintop, left to die there because she was a girl. Found and raised by hunters, she challenged the Calydon Boar and courageously drew first blood. Before a man could claim her as his bride, she demanded, with confidence, that he beat her in a footrace. Atalanta exemplifies today’s girls, who resonate with the passion and persistence to go the distance, survive and succeed, becoming women who will not only discover the indomitable spirit in themselves, but also recognize and encourage it in each other. Our feature article, “Heart-Based Leadership,” describes how strong women like these are taking action and leading movements for positive change around the world.
 Every May, Natural Awakenings honors women and Mother’s Day. That’s not hard in our community, where you don’t have to look far to find women who, enlightened by their own health journeys, provide services for women seeking to take their well-being into their own hands. Just last month, one of those women, Lori Poelstra, M.D., opened a holistic wellness center where women can explore mind-body practices that have an empowering and strengthening value beyond that of traditional Western medicine. Read all about it on page 24. In keeping with that theme, our article “Natural Motherhood” (page 26) delivers a message of intuitive and spiritual empowerment for embarking on the magical journey of motherhood, and on page 22, local doula Amber Roman explains how new moms can have healthier recoveries through cutting-edge placenta encapsulation, and how the doulas in her practice have expanded natural childbirth options for women in the Pensacola area. And anyone who has a baby or is expecting one should plan to attend the World’s Greatest Baby Shower, being presented by Healthy Start on May 25 in Fort Walton Beach. Details are on page 28.
 Start empowering yourself today by reaching out to the women who provide services, classes and workshops that you find right here in Natural Awakenings. Keep moving forward, and let passion and compassion continue to be your driving force.

Happy Mother’s Day, and here’s to all women—you continue to better our world!

 

Scott & Daralyn Chase