Honoring the Legacy of Women Health Leaders in D.C.

Often women’s health is critically important to their own livelihoods and contributes to their ability to take care of their family, community members and more. From ancient civilizations to today, women health practitioners, healers, and educators have remained paramount to the sustainability and wellness outcomes seen within Black communities.

While major entities of health care in the District stand as the linchpin of care to local residents, independent health professionals and advocates have made major contributions toward the health and well-being of people and families across the D.C. metropolitan area.

In celebration of Women’s History Month and The Washington Informer’s 60th anniversary, the publication is highlighting a few leading ladies over the age of 60 who are dedicated to pouring their love, encouragement, and healing into local communities and beyond.

Ayo Handy-Kendi: Healing the Community One Breath At A Time

In a world full of highs and lows and life’s trials, Ayo Handy-Kendi found her centering and eventual calling of service when she learned to tap into one of the most transformational antidotes known: the power of the breath.

Lovingly referred to as “Mama Ayo,” the renowned “breath sekou” or breath master teacher has more than 50 years of experience in working to advance wellness, culture, and community development.  Breathing with scores of people through various mediums, on stage, and in private practice, Handy-Kendi has left an indelible mark on those who found themselves with the great privilege to learn and heal under her tutelage.

Among her many successes and breakthroughs teaching transformational breathing, reiki, laughter yoga and more, Handy-Kendi is also the brains behind Black Love Day, a community-based celebration. Uplifting the beauty of Black love, the day focuses on Handy-Kendi’s five tenets of loving acts that strengthen people’s capabilities of self-love, connection with the creator, family, and others.

Known as an absolute jewel of her community, Handy-Kendi has opened the pathway to enlightenment, while evoking an emotional catharsis through breath that has forever changed the lives of many — and she hasn’t stopped yet.  

“I truly believe we all have come here with a purpose and that we can get lost from that purpose for a lot of different reasons,” Handy-Kendi told The Informer. “For me, the work with breathing helped me find that spiritual connection again.”

Mary Douglas-Brown: Pink With A Purpose

Mary Douglas-Brown has spent the last 17 years of her life giving back to the very community she found herself in upon receiving a stage 2 breast cancer diagnosis in 2004.  Throughout the course of her treatment, ample time spent in support groups became the inspiration behind the inception of her own safe space for women struggling with the emotional toll of breast cancer.

A woman of great faith, Douglas-Brown, 74, serves as the health coordinator at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church of Northeast D.C., uplifting the spirits of numerous women across the District who are embarking on their personal journey against the disease she faced more than 20 years ago.  

Pink is more than a cute color for Douglas-Brown to don, it’s a sign of strength. Adorned in hues of pink from her pixie cut, to her everyday accessories, her love of the radiant color pays homage to women fighting the battle, while celebrating her success of remaining cancer free. 

Today, her support group continues to build a growing sisterhood across the District, while she additionally pours into community members through local health fairs in efforts to connect residents with resources.

Countless women thank Douglas-Brown for being their angel in a time of uncertainty, saving numerous ladies’ lives with her “blueprint for wellness,” and supporting services to the breast cancer community.   

While she sees herself as just a humble servant to those in need, she believes that, “God puts his people in places.”

“I guess that’s where I am at my church,” she told The Informer. “[I am here] just to really help and to be a blessing to somebody.”

Sharon Robinson Goods: Climbing to Higher Heights

Sharon Robinson Goods has reached many heights in her life as a well-respected public relations professional and health advocate who spent years as a yoga instructor.  

While powering through her journey of physical fitness, witnessing increasing rates of African American women suffering from strokes and hypertension and seeing a beloved niece struggle with health, offered an added motivation to help others.

Leading with the knowledge that sweat is the best form of medicine, Goods began holding local walks in Rock Creek Park with just a few ladies in her group to encourage exercise and strong health outcomes.  

Goods’ vision quickly grew from local walks in the park with her peers to international treks, including a 10-day climb of Mount Kilimanjaro amid a tour to the beautiful lands of Tanzania and Zanzibar in 2022.  In her claim three years ago, the public relations and health expert  made history as the oldest Black woman to ever summit the iconic landmark.

The prevalence of stress, obesity, and other underlying health concerns brought Goods in 2023 to start “Wisdom Walkers” – a nonprofit, destination-fitness organization dedicated to addressing African American healthcare disparities, while advancing physical and emotional wellness.

The fitness guru later broke another world record climbing the Inca Trail in the Andes mountain range of Peru in July 2024.  

Today, the group continues their weekly walks, training members in preparation for their next destination of Mount Fuji in August, this time climbing for an even greater cause to raise money for sickle cell patients.  

Of all the great things that have come from Goods’ initiative, she deems bringing people to self-discovery as her greatest accomplishment yet.

“The thing that makes me feel the best is when someone who was afraid of taking the first step in their health journey, takes that step and discovers themselves. That’s just a great feeling,” Goods told The Informer. “Some women have come out with us and they start walking or come to yoga and start taking classes, and say, ‘Oh, I can’t do this.’  I say, just come back. The road to health is repetition. It’s not how heavy the weights are or how long you walk. Just the consistency will get you there.”