“We want to do things in a fun, interactive way to get women the information they need to make the decisions they need,” said Kim Howell, SMMC marketing director/Healthy Woman coordinator. “Women are today's health care decision makers. They make decisions for themselves, for their family members, many for their parents. They need this information. We want to give them a way to get it and to develop a network with other women who are facing many of the same situations they are.”

Interest seemed to be strong as women packed into the Old Hardware Store located in downtown Big Spring to take advantage of the informational booths and even a free massage.

“I was invited by Ann Ward (a member of the Healthy Woman advisory council). I had no idea that this was going on,” said Carrie Conley of Coahoma. “If she hadn't invited me, I would have wanted to come to this anyway. I love all the different booths and I even got a massage. This is wonderful. I can't wait for the dinner.”

From her booth, Mindy Sedberry, owner of the Big Spring Health Food Store, passed out information and answered questions about alternative methods to improving health.

“I think it's important that women not only think about their medical health but also think about alternative ways to improve their health, not just vitamin supplements but also body care, easy strategies for relaxation and other ways of taking care of the many aspects of our lives.”

Sedberry said she was pleasantly surprised by the turnout.

“I'm very excited about our community and its willingness to welcome things like this,” she said. “People forget, if you don't keep up your health you are not going to be happy in any other aspect of your life.”

During the sold-out dinner that followed the health fair, motivational speaker Dr. Suzanne Metzger, author of “Learning Through Living ... Some Assembly Required,' gave a very lively and humorous talk, urging women to take some time to take care of themselves .

“We put on a pretty good show of liking ourselves but for the most part women really don't,” Metzger said. “We're never pretty enough, we're never young enough, we're never smart enough. We're just not enough. So my goal this evening is that we are enough and we need to be a little more kind and a little bit more gentle with ourselves and to laugh and have fun.”

Howell encouraged women in the community to take advantage of the Healthy Woman resources.

“Healthy Women membership is free and we're planning monthly events,” she said. “Each event will cover a different health topic. Some of the events will be held at the hospital. Some will be held out at locations in the community. You can log on to our Web site — www.smmccares.com — for membership”

Howell attributed the overall success of the event to her advisory council, a committee consisting of a number of women in the community.

“I've been so blessed by the women of the advisory council,” she said. “They have worked so hard to make this evening come to pass. They have given us their time, their energy, their ideas, what women in our community want to make this evening what it is.

For more information about Healthy Woman, contact Howell at 268-4842.