New faces, fresh ideas, and dedication to making an impact on the world inspired those in attendance at the 2nd annual Council on Women's Health (CWH) meeting held during the WCA Summit this April.

New 2002 Board officers are: Chair, Madeline Behrendt, D.C.; Vice Chair, Leslie Bedell, D.C.; and Secretary/Treasurer, Kristen Kidgell, D.C. The previous Chair, Veronica Gutierrez, D.C. accepted a Board position with the Council on Chiropractic Practice as well as potential involvement with chiropractic policy on the federal level, and we wish her great success.

Recognition was given to those who had accomplished projects during 2001, including case studies published in the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research (JVSR) and profiles in the CWH column in The Chiropractic Journal. New members were introduced and welcomed.

A survey for discussion of goal development was utilized in order to establish priorities for the current year. The Council voted to focus on research, education, new member recruitment, and outreach/partnerships.

As associate editor of JVSR, Dr. Behrendt is dedicated to developing an abundance of case studies documenting the impact of subluxation correction in women's health. The CWH agreed to make commitment to case studies a top priority and chose Infertility as the first topic. All chiropractors are invited to contribute a case study. Target date for cases to be presented for review is Oct. 1, 2002. For questions/info, contact Dr. Behrendt at mbcawe@aol.com.

Belinda Steenburgh, the WCA's newly appointed director of International Student Affairs, will be working with other CWH members to actively recruit new students and recent graduates into the Council. WCA President Dr. Terry A. Rondberg agreed to give the CWH a $500 scholarship to be awarded to a single mother attending chiropractic college.

New member packets are being created in order to encourage increased CWH participation. Membership is free for active WCA members. Non-WCA members are invited to join for an annual membership fee of $100 for chiropractors and $25 for students. To maintain active membership, participation in our Annual Survey is required.

In line with one of the Council's priorities for this year – local and national outreach/partnership efforts – letters of introduction are being created to establish relationships with those individuals and entities promoting women's health, including: shelters; recovery support groups; civic organizations; parenting groups; health-care providers; and the extended chiropractic community.

In closing, the vision of the WCA Council on Women's Health is vast, caring and productive, and our chiropractors represent a high caliber of the profession, with many talents and passions. The needs of women in all cultures continues to escalate with the deterioration of the quality of life – socially, economically, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. Our profession can truly impact people's lives on all levels of existence, by offering to help individuals reach their full life potential through our unique care, subluxation correction.

Get involved in the excitement and vision and help us make a difference for women and their families around the world. Join the Council today by calling 800/347-1011. Also visit our website at www.worldchiropracticalliance.org.

(Madeline Behrendt, D.C., chairs the World Chiropractic Alliance Council on Women's Health, and is the author of "A Woman's Experience/A.W.E.," a practice manual offering a subluxation-based perspective on diverse aspects of women's health. Dr. Behrendt, whose articles have appeared in numerous print and electronic publications, serves as associate editor of the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research.)