Former Pittsburgher Vera Cornish and a host of other local and national women are excited and preparing for the Oct. 14 Annual Pennsylvania Governor’s Conference for Women to be held at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. The conference is expected to feature nationally recognized speakers who will address many critical issues facing women today.

Scheduled to speak on the topic of “How to Take Care of Yourself While You’re Taking Care of Others,” trainer, facilitator, speaker, life coach and owner of Cornish and Associates, Cornish said the focus of the workshop is to explore how nurturing yourself is the basis for being able to nurture others.

VERA CORNISH

It has been a while since we talked about request for coverage. I know, here I go on a rant about how I want to communicate. Not exactly. This is another effort to help our readers or sometime readers or that person who only buys the paper when their picture is it in. I want to help everyone.

The best way to contact me or should I say the preferred way is to use the e-mail address at the bottom of my column. It is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . I do not have an e-mail attached to the New Pittsburgh Courier nor do I have a phone extension. There is another Debbie that works at the New Pittsburgh Courier but we are in different departments. Please do not leave a message for me on her extension.

Heath disparities in our society are a disturbing reality for many and has resulted in some startling statistics—83,000 people a year die in this country due to health disparities; 51 million people in America are underinsured or have no insurance at all; and one million of these live in Pennsylvania.

PANEL LEADERS—State representatives Joe Preston Jr., Ron Waters and Jake Wheatley with Lillian Escobar-Haskins. (Photos by J.L. Martello)

In an effort to facilitate a discussion to help identify the action items necessary to close the gap in this state, on Sept. 25, the Pittsburgh Gateway Medical Society convened a legislative town hall meeting at UPMC Shadyside’s Herberman Conference Center. This gathering was a part of the ongoing effort of this group led by Dr. Margaret-Larkins Pettigrew, president, to continue their advocacy to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities.

The annual Soul Café hosted by the Pittsburgh Black Media Federation was an evening of poetry, music and fun. On Sept.18 members and friends of PBMF filled Calli’s Restaurant in Regent Square and got their fill of great food, fellowship and soulful entertainment.

The talent lineup for the evening included a powerful reading on marriage by Renee Aldrich. Lewis Colyar, read from his upcoming book “Tip of My Pen” and there was humor from Ricky Smooth.

MEMBERS OF THE PBMF—Bryon Cook, C. Denise Johnson, John Green and Tonita Davidson. (Photos by Debbie ­Norrell)

C. Denise Johnson, an Ohio native, rendered a surprise comedic slant on Pittsburgh, while Michael Williams performed a gospel medley.

Sheila B. entertained with her smooth vocals and everyone found something on the Calli’s menu to dine on. Many chose Amazing Shrimp Creole and quenched their thirst with Calli’s Punch.