This local nonprofit is working to combat period poverty and normalize the conversation about women’s health
A 2022 study showed that 41% of women in the U.S. ages 18-49 reported having a health condition that required ongoing monitoring, care, or medication. Even with this amount of women experiencing this, women’s health continues to be a taboo topic. Deonna Wylie is on a mission to change that and combat period poverty across the Midlands.
Deonna is the founder of the Cola Rosé Shower, an annual event (happening Saturday, Feb. 3 at William Brice Stadium in Columbia, SC) that celebrates women and promotes awareness for women's health issues that plague women in the Greater Columbia community. Keep reading to find out the story behind her nonprofit and how she’s working to change the stigma surrounding women’s health.
What inspired the creation of the Cola Rosé Shower?
After 10 years of being challenged with fibroids undergoing all possible treatments, iron infusions, and several surgeries, I had no choice but to have a hysterectomy at age 36. As women, so much is expected of us that we often suffer in silence and we are never given the opportunity to speak about our plights.
My hysterectomy not only gave me back my life, it gave me the courage to share my story. My 10 year journey was mentally, emotionally, and physically challenging in so many ways and still is — it's an ongoing journey.
I always try to look at the positive side of things and what it gave me, not just what it took over the past decade. I wanted to celebrate and embrace this new journey with family and friends. I do not have children, so instead of having a baby shower, I decided to have a Rosé Shower, my version of a baby shower.
In lieu of receiving gifts, I wanted to bring awareness to feminine care and period poverty by asking everyone to wear a shade of pink and bring feminine products to be donated to Sistercare Women’s Shelter. I chose to host the event at William Brice Stadium to turn the most masculine symbol in Columbia pink for a day to promote unity around the cause of feminine care. It wasn't until after the fact that I'd realized what I did.
The positive reactions from others that heard about it, asking and encouraging me to do it again gave birth to the annual Rosé Shower. I know I'm not alone. All women, despite age, ethnicity, etc., face their own struggles, or has a mother, sister, aunt, cousin, or friend who can relate. The Cola Rosé Shower is a celebration of women and feminine healthcare.
Whether battling cancer, fibroids, endometriosis, infertility, facing a hysterectomy, menopause, or other healthcare challenges, the Cola Rosé Shower provides a place to be seen, heard, and celebrated. All women, despite age, ethnicity, etc., face their own struggles, or has a mother, sister, aunt, cousin, or friend who can relate. God has blessed me in so many ways and has put me on this journey for reasons only He can fathom. This is truly a journey of unity, one that we can do together.
How can we work to normalize the conversation surrounding women's health?
By starting the conversation. Sharing your health journey with others. It's not something we should feel we have to hide. It can be challenging to talk about it because it is personal, it can be emotional, and it's not always easy to let your walls down and be vulnerable. Especially in our world of social media, it's not the perfect photo that you might have taken 100 times to get right.
Some people might not understand, some might not know the right things to say, and that's okay. We can normalize the conversation on women's health by talking about it. We learn from each other and understand each other better by talking about it. We don't feel so alone, by talking about it. We gain support by talking about it. If you start talking about then maybe others will too.
It is because of me talking about the Cola Rosé Shower that many women have opened up to me to share their stories. Stories they wouldn't have normally shared with a stranger five minutes after meeting. They felt safe enough to share and that's the beauty of it. As I stated before, all women, despite age, ethnicity, etc., face their own struggles, or has a mother, sister, aunt, cousin, or friend who can relate. We're all diamonds, built under pressure in all colors, shapes, and sizes...all precious stones. That's why the logo is a diamond in the center of the rose.
What advice do you have for women advocating for themselves when it comes to dealing with health providers?
Listen to your body. You know yourself better than anyone. Find health providers you feel comfortable with and who you feel listen to you. Don't feel ashamed to tell them everything. Don't feel silly for asking questions. Don't be afraid to speak up.
Tickets are currently on sale for the annual event are on sale now to be a part of this remarkable event. Can’t make it in-person but want to support? There are sponsorship opportunities available.