Rosé Resilience: A night of empowerment and advocacy for women’s reproductive health
On Wednesday, Oct. 16 Cola Rosé Shower is hosting an inspiring evening that sheds light on the complex journey of reproductive health and infertility. Together at Rosé Resilience: Empowering Reproductive Health Awareness, we’ll break the silence, share stories of resilience, and support every woman’s path to well-being.
Trigger Warning: This article deals with infertility and female reproductive health.
A note from Deonna Wylie, founder of Cola Rosé Shower
At age 26 I was diagnosed with fibroids. After 10 years of all possible treatments and several procedures, at 36 I had no choice but to undergo a hysterectomy.
Living with fibroids brought overwhelming mental, emotional, and physical challenges. During a doctor’s visit (in yet another attempt to determine if I was a candidate for a new procedure), the physician suggested the best solution was for me to “Get a hysterectomy and get your life back.”
The procedure did bring a sense of normalcy back to my life, but it also posed a host of new challenges including invasive questions and judgment along with a different set of medical issues.
When I first had my hysterectomy, people asked if I had considered other treatments or if I wanted to try getting pregnant first. What they didn’t know was that I had already spent 10 years exploring countless treatments, management options, and procedures. For a decade, I endured a rollercoaster of pain, clinging to the hope that each new approach might finally be the solution. By the time I reached the decision to have a hysterectomy, I was living in survival mode every day, and my quality of life had been deeply affected.
After the procedure, the doctor gave my mom a photo to show the severity of the condition of my uterus, saying “She made the right decision, this needed to come out, and she never could have carried a baby to term.” A picture that I still keep and reflect on.
Even with the adversity and stigma, I found a way to overcome it with prayer and the help of family and friends. After my recovery, I was eager to celebrate and embrace this new chapter of my life. I’ve always tried to focus on the positives, and as I reflected on the past 10 years, I realized how much I had gained — strength, determination, and resilience. This journey sparked a passion within me to support others and raise awareness about women’s health.
This led me to founding the Cola Rosé Shower, an annual event and nonprofit that celebrates women and promotes awareness for women's health issues that plague women in the Greater Columbia community and beyond.
Our upcoming event, Rosé Resilience: Empowering Reproductive Health Awareness, is an evening of connection, insight, and inspiration featuring a powerful panel discussion that sheds light on the silent struggles of infertility and the complex journey toward motherhood.
In this Special Edition of All is Well, we are starting the conversation featuring two of our community resources, Jill Smith, CEO of Jill Smith and Associates Counseling and Kristin Dillensnyder, founder of Empowered Infertility.
Together let’s break the stigma, uplift one another, and foster a community of support for every woman’s reproductive health story.
More about Rosé Resilience: Empowering Reproductive Health Awareness
Enjoy rosé, light bites, and conversation during a networking mixer, followed by an impactful panel discussion that explores the often-unspoken challenges of infertility and the multifaceted path to motherhood. Together, we’ll work to break the stigma, uplift each other, and create a supportive community for every woman's reproductive health journey.
Panelists:
Tameika Isaac Devine, SC Senator and Attorney
Heather Smith, President of Heather Smith and Associates
Ellen Rucker Sellers, Co-Founder of Rucker Roots
Karen Yip, Broker and Principal of Yip Premier Real Estate
Sara Middleton Styles, Owner of Smoked and Peak Drift Brewing Company
Special Resources:
Jill Smith and Associates Counseling
Kristin Dillensnyder, Empowered Infertility