NAACP holds first self-care forum

Nicholls National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) held its first ever self-care forum for women on Mar. 14 in the Plantation Suites on campus.

NAACP secretary Maiya Bougere, a secondary education major from Belle Chasse, said that the forum’s topics included health, beauty and incorporating healthy lifestyles.

NAACP Treasurer Cameron Ragas, an elementary education major from New Orleans, said, “This year we really wanted to focus on health. Throughout the week, we do physical activities as well as other things. I think we wanted to touch base on health a little bit more.”

The forum had four stations: health and beauty, workout plans and calorie intake, dress for success and an open discussion station. NAACP executive board members and committee heads led the stations.

“I think, especially in college, we lose ourselves. Like, we don’t have the time to take care of ourselves or even think for a second what is even caring about yourself, because we do things to get it out of the way instead of doing things to truly fulfill us. I think it’s important that we say school is important, but we do really need to take time for ourselves. That’s really the most important thing,” Ragas said.

During each discussion, those in attendance could discuss things they had discovered that helped them enhance their overall health. Different types of teas, shampoos and makeup and skin care routines were among the discussions.

When it came to physical and mental health, NAACP members said that mental health is just as important as physical health. They said it is also important to do routine self-breast exams, and if one notices any changes, to discuss it with a doctor as soon as possible.

“Some people have probably never learned about things like this, so it might be eye-opening for them,” Bougere said. “For woman empowerment, just knowing that taking care of yourself is okay, and you don’t have to be ashamed for being prideful and taking care of your hair or your skin or really liking makeup, because I know a lot of women get shunned for that.”

To promote self-care, the NAACP handed out gift bags that contained a loofa, bubble bath, bath salts and bath bombs.

“Self-care is self-love,” Ragas said.