To kick off February, American Heart Month, five Atlanta women are joining the American Heart Association to fight their number one health threat, cardiovascular disease (CVD) through the Woman of Impact initiative. Woman of Impact is an extension of the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women® movement, a comprehensive platform designed more than two decades ago to increase women’s heart health awareness and serve as a catalyst for change to improve the lives of women globally. This year’s Woman of Impact class will work from February 2 to April 4 to raise funds to support research and education to better identify, diagnose, treat and prevent CVD in women and is locally sponsored by Northside Hospital. 

Women experience unique life stages that can increase their risk of developing CVD over the course of their lifetime. In fact, CVD is the number one killer of new moms as the leading case of maternal mortality.[1] The good news is, the majority of cardiovascular events can be prevented with lifestyle changes and education which is the foundation of the Association’s Go Red for Women movement.

“Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in women, claiming more lives than all cancers combined, so it’s vital for all women to take charge of their heart health and encourage others to do the same,” said Carla Smith, region senior vice president and executive director of the Metro Atlanta American Heart Association. Nearly 45% of women over age 20 are living with some form of CVD[2]. I am here to encourage women to raise their voices and make sure all Atlanta women know how to take steps now to protect our hearts later.”  

Woman of Impact, a nationwide initiative, is set to launch in more than 100 cities across the country on National Wear Red Day, February 2. At the start of the campaign, hundreds of nominees nationwide embark on a nine-week journey to help transform the health of women through education and fundraising. Each week, nominees participate in activities designed to create a culture of wellness and advance health equity. Activities may include educational events, learning and spreading the word about CPR, getting physically active, recruiting women to participate in research and more. Nominees also raise critical funds for the Atlanta American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement.

Atlanta’s 2024 Woman of Impact Nominees are:

• Shannon Binder, Accenture

• Lindsay Hopkins, IPD Analytics

• Noelle London, Illoominus Software, Inc.

• ZenSelah Lowe, CenterWell Senior Primary Care

• Clare Taylor, Skin Pharm

On April 4, one nominee will be named the Atlanta 2024 Woman of Impact Winner. In addition to local market winners, one nominee from across the country will be named the National Woman of Impact Winner. 

“By using their influence, their local networks and their unique lived experiences, these volunteers are able to make a measurable difference in Atlanta and we are so grateful for each of them,” said Erika Zulawski, 2024 Atlanta Go Red for Women chairwoman. “Woman of Impact truly embodies the power of coming together to create important and lasting change for good.”

While the majority cardiac events can be prevented, cardiovascular disease continues to take the life of 1 in 3 women.

To learn more about the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement in Atlanta visit heart.org/atlgored.