Women Embracing Abilities Now-Charlotte

10/15/2025

WEAN Charlotte Executive Director Monique Stamps had the honor and pleasure of being featured on the Susan G. Komen Real Pink Podcast this summer to speak about breast health equity fot women with disabilities. Sharing this episode for Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

Click the link to listen⬇️

https://realpink.komen.org/beyond-ramps-breast-health-equity-for-women-with-disabilities/

10/10/2025

🌈 Today, October 10th is World Inclusion Day!

Happy World Inclusion Day from Women Embracing Abilities Now – Charlotte! 💜

Today we honor the beauty of belonging, where every woman, regardless of ability, background, race, or identity, is empowered, supported, and celebrated.

At WEAN Charlotte, we stand for a world where all women with disabilities are given the tools, love, and community they need to thrive. Inclusion means recognizing our worth, sharing our stories, and lifting one another up.

This World Inclusion Day, let's continue building spaces where everyone feels at home, because when we embrace each other’s abilities, we create a stronger, more united world.

💫 You are powerful. You are included. You are not alone.

10/09/2025

💔 The Raw Beauty Project Charlotte is deeply saddened to share the passing of one of our 2016 models, Shelly Stephens.

Shelly was a radiant spirit, an unwavering advocate for disability rights, a beloved friend, and a light within our community. Her strength, humor, and compassion touched everyone she met. She and her service dog, Nellie, inspired countless people through their partnership and advocacy.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to Shelly’s family, friends, and everyone blessed to know her. She will be truly missed but never forgotten.

🕊️ Read more about Shelly’s life and legacy here.https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/oklahoma-city-ok/shelly-stephens-12545523



Visual Description :
A woman with dark hair sits in a power wheelchair in front of a gold stone wall with small fountains. She’s wearing a red shirt, blue jeans, and a light patterned jacket. Beside her is a golden retriever wearing a colorful service dog vest and scarf, front paws resting gently on her lap. The two share a calm, loving moment, a portrait of loyalty and grace.

09/29/2025

🔥 Research Opportunity for Women with Spinal Cord Injuries

The University of Pittsburgh is conducting a study on menopause and spinal cord injury. They are currently recruiting women ages 40-60 to share their experiences through interviews, and later they’ll need 100 participants to test a new survey.

📌 Learn more or sign up here: Pitt+Me Menopause Study
https://pittplusme.org/studyarms/publicdetails?guid=156e9875-fb8a-4ab4-8a55-bbda8bb68c2a&utm_medium=ShortText&utm_source=Direct&utm_campaign=Short%20Text&utm_content=menopause

By participating, you’ll help researchers improve understanding and care for women with SCI during menopause. 💜

Image Description: Three women are gathered in what appears to be a modern coffee shop, laughing and engaged in conversation. The woman on the left is Asian, with a short pixie haircut, and is seated in a manual wheelchair. In the center, a Middle Eastern woman with a curly bob hairstyle is in a motorized wheelchair. On the right, a Black woman with long, wavy gray and black hair is seated in a motorized scooter. They are all smiling broadly and looking at each other, creating an atmosphere of warmth and connection. The background shows a coffee bar with various coffee-making equipment and cups.

09/26/2025

💡 Research Opportunity for Women with Mobility Disabilities

Are you a woman with a mobility disability who is planning or considering pregnancy? Researchers want to learn how to better support your health before conception.

📌 Learn more or sign up here: Pitt+Me Preconception Study

Your participation could help shape future care and resources for women with disabilities. 💜

Image Description: A flyer from Magee-Women's Research Institute titled “Preconception Education for People with Mobility Disabilities.” It invites people ages 18–39 with mobility disabilities who may want to become pregnant in the next five years to participate in a research study. Participants will be compensated. The flyer includes a photo of two smiling women sitting together and the Magee-Womens Research Institute logo

09/24/2025

💡 Research Opportunity for Women with Mobility Disabilities
Are you a woman with a mobility disability who is planning or considering pregnancy? Researchers want to learn how to better support your health before conception.
📌 Learn more or sign up here: https://pittplusme.org/studyarms/publicdetails?guid=71fa82db-d031-463f-90f9-2ac4a266dd57&utm_medium=ShortText&utm_source=Direct&utm_campaign=Short%20Text&utm_content=preconedu
Your participation could help shape future care and resources for women with disabilities. 💜

Image Description: A flyer from Magee-Women's Research Institute titled “Preconception Education for People with Mobility Disabilities.” It invites people ages 18–39 with mobility disabilities who may want to become pregnant in the next five years to participate in a research study. Participants will be compensated. The flyer includes a photo of two smiling women sitting together and the Magee-Womens Research Institute logo

09/17/2025

🖤 On this fateful day in 1925, a tragic bus accident changed the course of Frida Kahlo’s life. At just 18, she endured unimaginable pain, but through it, she found the strength to turn her suffering into art that speaks to the soul. Frida’s resilience reminds us that even in our darkest moments, beauty and power can emerge. Her story of survival continues to inspire generations. 🎨🌹

09/09/2025

Congratulations to WEAN founder Janice Jackson on this wonderful recognition of your incredible work in empowering women with disabities!

Women Embracing Abilities Now, or W.E.A.N., is the August 2025 winner of the Chick-fil-A Everyday Heroes award.

09/08/2025

🗳️ It’s Disability Voting Rights Week! ✨
September 8–12, 2025

Disability Voting Rights Week, powered by American Association of People with Disabilities and the REV UP Campaign, reminds us that disabled voters are a powerful community. Yet too often, barriers block access to the ballot box.

At WEAN Charlotte, we are committed to ensuring that women with disabilities—and our entire community—are seen, heard, and represented.

📣 Take action: Register, make your plan to vote, and join events across the country. Start here: https://www.mobilize.us/rev-up-aapd/

Your vote matters. Your voice matters. Together, we rise. 💜

Find in-person and virtual events around the country to get out the disability vote, prepare for elections, celebrate and educate, and more.

09/07/2025

✨ Speaker Spotlight ✨

We are honored to announce Twila Adams as one of our guest speakers at the DIVAS Autumn Awards Brunch! 🌸

Twila served in the U.S. Army from 1980–1991, including Desert Shield and Desert Storm. She is the retired owner of Holistic Nail Care Services, where she provided mobile nail care for seniors, the sick, and disabled for over 27 years.

After a 1994 auto accident left her paralyzed from the neck down, Twila defied the odds and became an adaptive athlete in 2002, now competing in 10 different wheelchair sports nationwide. In 2019, she found her “happy place” in pickleball, serving as a USAP ambassador, coach, and program developer for local rec centers, YMCAs, and veteran organizations.

A Licensed Manicurist and Instructor, Certified Reiki Practitioner, and passionate motivational speaker, Twila inspires audiences to shift their mindset, embrace resilience, and live with gratitude. She also proudly serves on several veteran organization boards and committees across the country.

Join us in celebrating her extraordinary story and spirit at the Autumn Awards Brunch!

📅 Saturday October 4th 12-3pm
📍 Vaulted Oak Brewing 3726 Monroe Rd Charlotte

🎟️ Purchase tickets today: https://www.divasalliance.com/events/event-one-zxta3

🤝 Interested in sponsoring or attending as a vendor? Visit our website for details

https://sites.google.com/weanqc.com/weancharlottenc/divas-autumn-awards-brunch?authuser=1

02/24/2025

02/05/2025

Pottery Barn has partnered with Michael Graves Design, a wheelchair user-led design firm, to create a collection of accessible furniture that doesn’t sacrifice beautiful design. The new collection features upholstered armchairs as well as items from Pottery Barn’s bestselling bedroom collections, including bed frames with integrated armrests and “pull-and-roll side grips,” dressers and nightstands with easy-to-use larger pulls, and more.

https://newmobility.com/michael-graves-pottery-barn-accessible-furniture-line/