Martha’s Table Announces Its First-Ever Women’s Health Summit: Her Seasons, From Menstruation to Post Menopause

This Women’s History Month, Martha’s Table is proud to host its first-ever Women’s Health Summit, a special gathering created to celebrate, educate, and uplift women and girls across every stage of life.

We recently sat down with Angela Draughn, Historic Anacostia Family Success Center Manager at Martha’s Table, to learn more about the upcoming Women’s Health Summit: Her Seasons. 

From Silence to Conversation

The inspiration for this summit didn’t come from a textbook; it came from the living rooms and kitchen tables of Wards 7 and 8.

“It really came to be just by talking to women,” Angela shares. “I do a lot of service navigation through conversations—just talking about the things we didn’t know, and the things our parents didn’t tell us. I come from a ‘silent generation’ where our elders just didn’t talk about certain things. But with all the advances in medicine now, why not bring the conversation up among the community?”

A Personal Mission

For Angela, the lack of conversation isn’t just a social issue—it’s a matter of life and death.

“On a personal note, I just had a family member die as a result of fibroids and a surgery, and just not being listened to as a woman. She was only 39,” Angela says. “So many women are experiencing issues with fibroids and infertility, yet we don’t understand the holistic connection between what we eat, how we manage stress, and the overall knowledge of the cycles we go through.”

The Women’s Health Summit aims to bridge that gap, teaching women that it is okay to transition from one “season” of life to the next and providing the tools to do so with dignity and health.

Removing the Shame

One of the biggest hurdles to women’s wellness is the historical stigma surrounding our bodies. Angela is on a mission to dismantle that, starting with how we view ourselves. “We have to remove the shame associated with our menstrual cycles, because without a menstrual cycle, none of us would be here.”

“The Women’s Health Summit is about connection,” she explains. “You might meet a friend; you might gain a new sister. It’s an opportunity to know that you are not by yourself. -Angela Draughn

These are things that women have gone through since the beginning of time. My hope is that women leave knowing how to advocate for themselves, how to get in tune with their bodies, and most importantly, that we learn from each other.”

A Space to Learn, Heal, and Grow

The Women’s Health Summit is designed to be an affirming and welcoming environment where participants can ask questions, share experiences, and learn practical tools to support their physical, emotional, and hormonal well-being. 

Throughout the day, attendees can take part in:

• A keynote and panel discussion led by trusted voices in health and community wellness
• Sessions focused on topics such as nutrition, emotions, breast health, and self-care
• Health screenings and information sessions
• Activities for girls experiencing periods
• Healthy teas, beauty goodies, and moments of reflection and healing

From young girls just beginning their journey to elders sharing lived wisdom, this summit celebrates the idea that every phase of a woman’s life holds value, strength, and beauty.

Join Us

You are invited to join Martha’s Table for Her Seasons: From Menstruation to Post Menopause on Saturday, March 28, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

This no-cost Women’s Health Summit will bring together neighbors, health experts, and local leaders for a day of learning, reflection, and connection. Space is limited, so we encourage you to RSVP early and be part of this first-ever gathering.

Click here to RSVP!