For the Breast of Us

BADDIE BLOGS

Our mission is to empower women of color affected by breast cancer to make the rest of their lives the best of their lives through education, advocacy and community.

Breaking The Silence

Personal Experience

My name is Ruthy, and I’m a Caribbean-American woman who’s been navigating life with breast cancer. Finding out about my diagnosis was a shock, even though I led a healthy lifestyle. However, my Caribbean background presented an initial hurdle. We tend to keep things private, especially health concerns. Sharing the news with extended family and co-workers felt overwhelming, leading to a period of secrecy within my immediate family.

While my cultural background may have initially caused me to keep things private, it also instilled in me a deep sense of strength and resilience. My faith and the unwavering support of my family and friends became my anchors.

The Importance of Self-Advocacy

For Caribbean-American women, navigating the healthcare system can be challenging. Language barriers and cultural differences can sometimes create a communication gap with healthcare providers. Our voices aren’t always heard so it’s crucial to be your own advocate. Don’t hesitate to bring a trusted friend or family member to appointments. Ask questions, take notes, and most importantly, don’t be afraid to speak up if something feels off.

In my own experience, I had to advocate for additional pain medication after surgery and during billing issues. Having someone by my side helped me feel empowered and ensured I received the care I deserved.

Breaking the Silence: A Message of Hope

While there wasn’t a specific support group within my community, the strength of my Caribbean heritage and the love of my family and friends filled the void. It’s important to find outlets to express yourself and connect with others who understand. Leaning on your faith and family and making it a point to talk openly about your diagnosis is crucial. Find healthy outlets for your emotions and seek support. Let’s break the silence and prioritize our health.

My message to other Caribbean-American women is this: Breast cancer doesn’t define you. Seek support, express yourself, and don’t be afraid to raise your voice. Let’s break the silence surrounding health discussions in our community. Let’s empower each other through shared experiences.

A Call to Action: Standing Together

The story of Ruthy highlights the need for organizations like For the Breast of Us (FTBOU) to acknowledge and address the specific needs of Caribbean-American women. “FTBOU recognizing our community is a great first step,” she says. “Creating safe spaces for open discussion and culturally relevant support is essential.” Ruthy even offers her own expertise, eager to connect with the Haitian-American diaspora within FTBOU’s network.

Ruthy’s journey is a testament to the strength and resilience of Caribbean-American women. By breaking the silence, advocating for ourselves, and embracing the power of community, we can face breast cancer with courage and emerge even stronger.

advocacy, breast cancer, caribbean-american heritage month, community, courage, faith, family, FTBOU, self-advocacy, Sisterhood, WOC

Ruthy Prophete

Ruth Prophete is a first-generation Haitian-American, born in Brooklyn, New York. She completed her education with a B.A. degree in Psychology from the State University of New York at New Paltz. While pursuing her education she followed her dad’s footsteps and studied abroad in Paris, France. That experience fueled a desire to travel the world and experience different cultures. Upon completion of her education Ms. Prophete relocated to Atlanta, GA where her passion to serve others flourished. Ms. Prophete has been fortunate to have a multitude of skill sets from various industries, having worked at Wellstar Health System as a software training instructor to currently serving as a Legislative Policy Analyst for the Mayor’s Office at the City of Atlanta. In all of her roles, Ms. Prophete considers it an honor to use her talents and resources to guide others along their educational and career journeys. She believes in the power of mentoring and has benefited from others poured into her. During her formative years, her inspiration for servant leadership came from observing her parents involvement in their community. Ruth is a graduate of the United Way of Greater Atlanta Volunteer Involvement Program. She served on the board of the Metro Atlanta Chapter of National Forum for Black Public Administrators and the Urban League of Greater Atlanta. Ms. Prophete has also been featured in Who’s Who in Black Atlanta. Ruth considers it a privilege to be a big sister with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta. In her free time, Ms. Prophete enjoys reading, exploring the restaurant scene and traveling. Next on the bucket list is Bali!