University of Wisconsin - Extension

A photography exhibit of Wisconsin women who have had an impact on the health and wellness of their communities will be on display at St. Mary's Hospital's A Woman's Place, 1727 Shawano Ave., Suite 101, from Oct. 12 through Nov. 9.

The exhibit, "Women in Health," is a part of Wisconsin Public Television's (WPT) Creating Health project. It will feature photographs of two local women - Patricia Finder-Stone, DePere, and Barbara Bauer, Green Bay.

In arresting sepia-tone images, the photographs -- and accompanying quotes from subjects -- tell the stories of 22 women.

Bauer has spent 52 years working in the field of mental health, as a nurse, teacher, author and leader on many health boards and organizations. Her hope for the future of women's health is, "That women will take time to focus on their health in our fast-paced world. If one does not take care of herself, she is unable to help others."

Finder-Stone, a registered nurse, has for years also been active on boards and with organizations. Recently, she was named to the Wisconsin Tobacco Control Board, shaping recommendations on how to fight tobacco addiction using the millions of dollars from the state's tobacco lawsuit settlement.

She said, "My dream is a tobacco-free Wisconsin. I hope all women learn the dangers of tobacco use, becoming tobacco-free role models for their families and friends."

Others in the exhibit have made a difference in their hometowns, and beyond. Mildred Leigh Gold, for example, initiated the first mobile mammography unit and health screening van for the uninsured in Milwaukee. Rosemarie Matheus of Germantown pioneered the development of parish nursing in Wisconsin and teaches at Marquette University.

"Our goal has been to feature women whose primary impact is at the community level," said Susan Latton, WPT's Creating Health project manager, "These women reflect a range of health interests, cultural backgrounds and geographical locations in the state. It's not intended to be comprehensive of all those women who deserve recognition, but it is a beginning and an initial tribute."

Latton said the exhibit may be added to and plans are underway to have it travel to other locations around the state.

The photographs were shot with a 4x5 view camera using Polaroid Type 56 film. Jim Gill, WPT staff photographer, explained that each photograph is unique and there are no negatives. "The subject and I worked together to create an image and I kept making photographs until they were happy with the result. One of the great things about Polaroid film is the ability to see the photograph 30 seconds after you take it."

Gill is also a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.

Creating Health is WPT's two-year initiative to help women take more control of their health. In addition to the photography exhibit, the effort includes broadcasts at 7 p.m. on both Wednesday, Oct. 18 and Thursday, Oct. 19. These broadcasts, the latest in a series of five, look at women's health during menopause and in their senior years. Creating Health also offers a comprehensive Web site, http://www.wpt.org/creatinghealth, that links users to a wealth of in-state and national health resources and a Creating Health Planner, which serves as a medical record organizer and diary of health.

WPT is a service of the Educational Communications Board and the University of Wisconsin-Extension.

Wisconsin Public Television is a place to grow through learning on WHA-TV/Madison, WPNE-TV/Green Bay, WHRM/TV-Wausau, WLEF-TV/Park Falls, WHLA-TV/La Crosse and WHWC-TV/Menomonie-Eau Claire.