Women Walk Putnam County steps into fifth season

A group of local women gather to kick off the fifth season of Women Walk Putnam County. Women taking part in the Wednesday walk starting from First Baptist Church include (front from left) Janet Cox, Rebecca Roach, Opal Sutherlin, Sandra Steinem, Judy Dunlap, Martha Klock, Karen Boswell, Lavergne Blaikie, Mary Ann Barrett, Remy Woodsmall, Lauren Woodsmall and Health and Human Science Extension Educator Jennifer Cannon, (back) Delanee Phillips, Connie Phillips, Kathy Stephan, Mary Wyant, Sue Stattner, Sandra Foster, Anita Edenfield, Lois Tomaskovic, Phyllis Neumann and Putnam County Hospital Marketing Director Brooke Trissel.

Banner Graphic/JARED JERNAGAN

Entering its fifth year of promoting healthy behavior among local women, Women Walk Putnam County kicked off on Wednesday with a group of about 20 women gathered at First Baptist Church for a morning walk.

Citing research that shows cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of women, resulting in one death each minute, Purdue Extension-Putnam County and Putnam County Hospital partnered to address the issue.

Health and Human Science Extension Educator Jennifer Cannon and former Putnam County Hospital Marketing Director Lori Lucas created the vision and plan for Women Walk Putnam County.

“We wanted to create an atmosphere for women to engage in education, physical activity, fellowship and fun,” Cannon said.

Women Walk is a walking program for individuals in the county to participate in physical activity, education and fellowship. Each week, they meet at various places in the community to walk for 30 minutes.

Throughout the five years of the program, individuals have formed new friendships, maintained old friendships and adapted healthy lifestyle changes along the way.

In fact, these women have reported weight loss in the midst of walking with the program. Organizers have also included Purdue Extension programs such as Be Heart Smart, Dining with Diabetes, Healthy aging and much more in the program.

“We are looking forward to another year and many more to come,” said Cannon, who is now partnering with PCH Marketing Director Brooke Trissel in facilitating the program.

For the program is free of charge and anyone is welcome to come out and walk.

The ladies meet at 9 a.m. on Wedensday. Upcoming locations include Forest Hill Cemetery on Sept. 5, Big Walnut Sports Park Sept. 12, DePauw Nature Park Sept. 19 and Ashley Square Cinema on Sept. 26.

The calendar of other upcoming walking events may be found on the Purdue Extension webiste or Putnam County Hospital website.

For more information on the program, contact Jennifer Cannon at 653-8411.