Recognition banquet also remembers two pioneers in Black Women's health

THE NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED “PRIME TIME SISTER CIRCLES” will celebrate its’ first Philadelphia class in a ceremony on Saturday February 18, 2012,at 8pm, at First District Headquarters located at 3801 Market Street. Tickets are $45. More than 100 African American women successfully completed the health intervention program and will be recognized in a special banquet celebration that will include music and dancing. The “Prime Time Sister Circles” empowered the women to “Create a Legacy of Wellness” through a series of workshops. The women met for twelve, two hours sessions each week and participated in interactive lessons focusing on stress management techniques, increased physical activity, and improved nutrition. The classes were lead by specially trained women from the Philadelphia community who were paid a stipend. The “Prime Time Sister Circles” were founded by internationally recognized Dr. Marilyn Gaston and Dr. Gayle Porter of the Gaston & Porter Health Improvement Center in Washington, DC (http://www.gastonandporter.org ). The esteemed doctors were in Philadelphia last June for the Black Women’s Health Alliance “Creating a Legacy of Wellness: Mind Body & Spirit” kick-off campaign designed to engage city and community leaders so they become concerned about the health of their constituents. Those leaders were also encouraged to begin instituting wellness activities and programs in their arenas.

“THE CHEYNEY PLAYERS,” ALONG WITH THE 3RD REGIMENT INFANTRY OF THE UNITED STATES COLORED TROOPS, will bring African American history to life at Mother Bethel AME Church located at 419 South 6th Street on Sunday February 12, 2012, during the 11am worship service. “The Cheyney Players,” under the direction of Jan Ellis-Scruggs, is a student drama organization on the campus of Cheyney University, Pennsylvania’s oldest African-American college (www.cheyney.edu).

On Saturday, February 4, Organizing for America Pennsylvania (OFA PA) volunteers and community leaders will gather at locations across the state to collect signatures to get President Obama’s name on the ballot and to register voters.

Walnut Street Theatre’s Independence Studio on 3 is proud to bring back the spirit of Philadelphia’s own Ethel Waters with her life stories and memorable songs in Ethel!  Written by and starring Broadway’s Terry Burrell, this world premiere begins with previews on February 21^st, opens February 23^rd and runs through March 11^th in the intimate Independence Studio on 3.