Women are brave ... in fact, very brave. From cradle to grave, from Africa to the United States, women are life-givers, life-support­ ers. We even suckle our young. Our bodies give us this power to give life to others. It is this strength that unites the women of Yagma Village, West Mrica to the women of our own hometowns.

In today's society, every woman is aware of breast cancer. What does a woman feel when her breasts, which carry her history fmm girl­ hood, through puberty and into womanhood are invaded and removed from her body? Bari-Ellen Roberts is an over comer. She is the author of a New York Times best-seller, 'Roberts vs. Texaco.' and a native of Cincinnati, Ohio. She is a breast cancer survivor. Here is her story.

"In 2009, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Cancer.  It was in my right tonsil. Most people who have this cancer are men who are smokers or heavy drinkers and over 50 years of age. Obviously, I did not fit the typical profile. I did not drink, I did not smoke, and I was not a man. But the battle is the same. Once I was diagnosed the treatment was brutal physically, psychologically and emotionally. It had spread outside of the primary area of the throat into my lymph nodes and was headed to my lungs. I was given a very aggressive treat­ ment of 7 weeks of daily radiation, chemotherapy and surgery that removed part of my neck, muscles and breast tissue. During the treatment and recovery I was unable to eat for 9 months. I had a feeding tube inserted in my abdomen and was fed a liquid nutrient. I lost all of my hair from the radiation treatment. I lost considerable weight. I lost my voice for months. I was very disfigured by the experience. But I never lost my faith my optimism.

The treatments saved my life but destroyed my skin, from the middle of my chest up to the top of my head. I had third degree burns from the radiation over my entire neck and lost all of my hair. I learned about She'Ology™ Heal­ing Balm through a friend. I can truly say it healed me. Not just my skin but my spirit was healed by this product. After using this Healing Balm for just three weeks, I noticed a remarkable improvement in the healing of my burns compared to the other patients who were being treated by my doctor. Within one year the scarring had disappeared and two years later my skin is clear, supple and my spirit is lifted".

So a woman's strength comes full circle. The West Mrican Women's Initiative is helping women around the world by producing this magi­ cal Healing Balm that heals the scarring of women here in the United States. In turn, the sale of Healing Balm here helps to sup­ port the women and their children of West Mrica.

Yes, women are brave...VERY brave.

Hand sanitizers are an integral part of hand hygiene in hospitals, clinics, and medical facilities. They have been validated as effective agents for killing germs (including H1N1), and reducing the transmission of diseases, infections, and bacteria. But, hand sanitizers, because they are alcohol-based formulations, also dry out skin, leaving it cracked, irritated, and vulnerable to bacterial infections. In addition, wetting and drying hands throughout the day depletes the skin of its natural oil, which helps to protect skin and keep it soft.  This can be especially severe among older adults, since their loss of sweat glands (from aging) causes water to evaporate from their skin more quickly.

Healing Balm by She′Ology Organics has been proven to be effective in healing and restoring damaged skin. This highly concentrated, all-natural skin emollient has no chemicals, preservatives or additives.  It is laboratory-certified and 100% pure. Its ingredients have been scientifically documented to facilitate the healing of skin tissue through the high concentration of Vitamin A, which accelerates cell regeneration, and triterpenes, which are anti-inflammatory. 

"The skin is the largest organ of the body," said Michelle Graves, CEO of She′Ology Organics. "It protects us,  so we need to protect it.  Healing Balm is amazing for your damaged skin. Try it for yourself and watch significant improvement on your hands, your feet, or anywhere your skin is troubled. ”

“I have used a variety of creams and ointments for my dry hands. Nothing worked. I must confess that I did not believe that the Healing Balm would work. Was I ever wrong!  My hands are wonderful and soft despite my using sanitizers daily and frequently. I don’t ever plan to be without this product!  Thank you SheOlogy Organics for showing me a natural way to healthy hands! P.S.  I love it on my feet too!”      JENNIFER GODFREY Cardiac Nurse,Tri-Health Alliance, Cincinnati, Ohio

The Mystique surrounding the Karite fruit in Africa is fascinating. Known as the Tree of Life, its history is one of mystery, awe, and power. Tracing its story over thousands of years, this extraordinary tree is referenced in almost all African historical documents. However, the true mystique of the Karite tree is found in the oil extracted from its fruit seeds; we know it as Shea butter. Its healing and skin- restorative properties are legendary, and it was even used by the Queen of Sheba and Cleopatra. One reference mentions caravans bearing clay jars of precious Shea butter for Cleopatra’s cosmetic use, and huge urns filled with the oil were found in her tomb. Europeans rediscovered these trees about 200 years ago and have sought to commercialize its properties. Today, the oil in Shea butter is a highly sought-after ingredient in cosmetics, foods, medicines and applied science.

The Karite tree can be found growing wild on the dry, open savannahs of Central and Western Africa. Maturing after 25 years, a single tree can live and bear fruit for more than 300 years. It cannot be cultivated by humans. It grows only wild, reaching heights of over 60 feet. There is another mystery surrounding the tree: many believe it traces back to the Garden of Eden. As the story is told, a serpent tempted a woman to eat the fruit of the Karite. In doing so, she became inextricably connected to the tree and to the snake. This story has been passed down for generations and because the mystifying connection, only women are permitted to touch the tree, harvest the fruit and produce the Shea butter the is sold throughout the world. And another air of mystery? Large black snakes also love the Karite fruit and hover in the vicinity.

Processing Shea butter is done by hand and is laborious, intensive work. It takes about 20 hours of labor to produce just two pounds of Shea butter, and the women work together as a team. They then sell the oil to make extra money. Is it any wonder that Shea butter is commonly called “Women’s Gold?” And nothing is left to waste. The fruits, butter, leaves, flowers, bark, wood - and even the roots of the Karite tree are used in traditional food, medicines, rituals and furniture. It is truly the Tree of Life!

Women’s Gold has created a much- needed opportunity for the women in Burkina Faso, Africa. By producing Shea butter that’s sold on the international market, these women now can earn an income that them to buy food and medicine and pay for their children’s schooling. They have an enterprise that is entirely their own and are experiencing increased respect from the men in their village. In a cultural context, they have greater input into the decision-making processes which affect their communities. The women of Burkina Faso are carving out their destinies for themselves and for their children.

For centuries, the Karite tree, and its product, Shea butter, has been a valuable asset on the African continent yielding edible oil for domestic use and products for cosmetic and medicinal use. Almost all historical references we have from pre-19th century Africa mention Shea butter. Even as early as Cleopatra’s Egypt, there is mention of caravans bearing clay jars of the valuable Shea butter for cosmetic uses.