Welcome to the Women Who Win Empower Podcast! My guest today is Valda Ford, Professional Speaker, Women's Health Expert, and CEO of the Center for Human Diversity, Inc.
WWWE 018: In this episode, Valda will share her stories and lessons learned about equity during her work with some of the most vulnerable people on the planet. She shares what inspired her path, spanning more than thirty years, and work in over 50 countries to improve health and decrease vulnerability.
More About Today's Guest
Valda Boyd Ford, MPH, MS, RN
- Had a high-tech home health service agency that employed 200 staff
- Opened the first cardiac, stroke and physical rehabilitation company in the Caribbean
- Worked in 57 countries and have had programs replicated through funding from the US Agency for International Development
- Has 1/2 million followers on Sex is Not for Sissies (Facebook)
- Serves on the board of the National Speakers Association
- Member of the Global Speakers’ Federation
- Member of the American Nurses’ Association.
You may have seen her on television, heard her on the radio and read her columns online and in print. She is a women’s health expert, leadership consultant, and author.
As a young mother with a child requiring critical care, Valda was struck by how unwilling or unable nursing and medical staff members were when it came to listening to her opinions or addressing her concerns. That failure to communicate led to the worst of outcomes - the death of her two-year-old son. At first, her grief made her want to leave nursing school but, in time, her grief became anger and her anger became advocacy for those who could not speak for themselves.
From the time Valda began working in a multinational organization with employees from 32 countries she faced issues of equity: in status, in pay scale, and in care delivery. When tasked with coordinating care for a hospital serving all non-English speaking patients, she began to see and hear challenges to achieving that goal.
Valda gives over 50 talks a year to a variety of organizations and associations and consults with agencies around the globe. She has been honored nationally and internationally for her work to empower women in Afghanistan, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka and many areas in the USA. She has established sustainable health programs in various war zones and refugee camps around the world.
Valda Ford resides in North Carolina.
You Will Learn:
- What inspired her to become a speaker, advocate, and entrepreneur
- How and why the Center for Human Diversity was founded
- What empowerment means to Valda
- What are some of her woes (and how she overcomes obstacles) and wins
- Where she feels her health advocacy work has made the biggest difference
- Why sexual health is so important to her
- What are the most important sexual and reproductive things people need to know
- Why it is vital to address diversity and cultural competency
- How her work empowers other women
Links and Resources:
Email: valda@valdaford.com
Website: www.valdaford.com
Author of: SINS: Secrets and Lies
Connect on Facebook:
- Facebook: Facebook.com/sexisnotforsissies
- Facebook.com/centerforhumandiversity
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