Olympian Joan Benoit Samuelson Coming To Central Falls
Wednesday, May 08, 2013
"I think it's important for girls and women to be involved in sports and physical activities so that they can achieve balance in their lives"--Joan Benoit Samuelson, who will be in RI on May 14.
The goal of “Central Falls Has Heart” is to educate women, specifically Hispanic women over the age of 50 and their families, on seven common symptoms of heart attack so they will know to call for emergency help.
Samuelson will speak about the warning signs of a heart attack as well as about her athletic career – including her record-setting time at this year’s Boston Marathon – and about the benefits of regular exercise.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST“It is important for women to recognize the signs of a heart attack so that they can call 9-1-1 and respond appropriately in an emergency situation,” Samuelson says. “Training in CPR should be mandatory for all students graduating from high school.”
Call 9-1-1
In cooperation with Central Falls Mayor James Diossa and local small businesses, YWCA Rhode Island will distribute English and Spanish-language magnets that list the seven common symptoms and stressing the importance of calling 9-1-1.
“Central Falls Has Heart” and Samuelson’s participation are presented through a grant to YWCA Rhode Island from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Women’s Health. The grant was
secured in a competitive funding process supporting a Spanish-language awareness program, “Make the Call. Don’t Miss a Beat.”
“This funding allows YWCA Rhode Island to educate women on the range of symptoms of a heart attack and empower them to call 9-1-1- to save their own life or the life of their mother or loved one,” says Deborah L. Perry, president and chief executive officer of YWCA Rhode Island. “YWCA also will encourage local women to adopt behaviors to improve their health going forward,” she adds.
“I am looking forward to working with YWCA Rhode Island to dramatically increase the number of women in Central Falls who can recognize the warning signs of a heart attack and call 9-1-1,” says Mayor Diossa. “These funds bring important attention to the health of our community and the need to empower residents to make healthy, informed choices.”
The “Make the Call. Don’t Miss a Beat” national campaign includes public service projects like this one in Central Falls; educational materials; a website, www.womenshealth.gov/heart; and announcements
via broadcast, print and social media.
Joan Benoit Samuelson
Joan Benoit Samuelson, 55, has been running since she was in high school in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. As a senior at Bowdoin College in Maine, she won the 1979 Boston Marathon, setting an American women’s record of 2:35:15.
She won the Boston Marathon again in 1983, this time setting the world record of 2:22:43. A year later, at the age of 27, she won the gold medal in the first women’s marathon at the Los Angeles Olympics,
outdistancing the favorite, Grete Waitz of Norway. In 1985 she won the Chicago Marathon with an American record time of 2:21:21. Her record-setting achievement continued at the 2013 Boston Marathon,
which she ran in 2:50:29, the fastest time ever logged by a woman age 55 or older, according to statistics from the Runner’s World website. She was not injured in the explosions at the finish line.
Samuelson has written two books, the autobiography “Running Tide” and “Running for Women”; serves as a consultant to Nike Inc.; and conducts clinics throughout the United States on running, health and fitness. She also is a motivational speaker for corporations, civic groups, schools and athletes.
Achieving balance through athletics
“I think it is important for girls and women to be involved in sports and physical activities so that they can achieve balance in their lives,” Samuelson says. “When a woman’s life is balanced, there seems
to be an improved level of self-esteem, confidence, productivity and an overall feeling of well-being.
“Furthermore, physical activity and sports help reduce the stress in a woman’s life,” she adds. “With women trying to multi-task throughout their days at home, work and school, it is important to take time our for physical activity as a way to reduce stress.”
In 1998 Samuelson founded the TD Bank 10K which benefits a different children’s charity each year and annually attracts more than 6,000 runners. Samuelson lives and works in Maine with husband, Scott, and they have two children, Abby and Anders.
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