Patricia Yarberry Allen, M.D. is a Gynecologist, Director of the New York Menopause Center, Clinical Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Weill Cornell Medical College, and Assistant Attending Obstetrician and Gynecologist at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. She is a board certified fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Allen is also a member of the Faculty Advisory Board and the Women’s Health Director of The Weill Cornell Community Clinic (WCCC). Dr. Allen was the recipient of the 2014 American Medical Women’s Association Presidential Award.

This year, as the publisher of Women’s Voices for Change, I have the honor of sending a Valentine’s Day card to each of our board members—and to the editors, writers, and readers whose contributions to this ’zine have made it a daily stop for thousands of women each month.

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The board of WVFC has worked tirelessly to support this site and chart the course of its journey. There would be no site if this board had not been willing, as Faith Childs, a member of the Executive Committee, used to say, “to build a car while driving it across the country at the same time.” Ours is an active, working board, with many of its members contributing as writers and editors; each one is involved in the creation and implementation of new initiatives. They join other activists, women who have supported the site financially and have created successful fundraising efforts to make it possible for us to grow without accepting pharmaceutical ads—thus giving our readers the assurance that the medical information found here is presented without bias.

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The editors of www.womensvoicesforchange.org, Deborah Harkins and Grace Ali, not only improve our prose with kind suggestions but have broadened our focus to include a more consistent interest in women in professional transition, women of diversity, and in the issues faced by women around the globe. They have spearheaded new initiatives to showcase “Women Who’ve Made a Difference” and “Days in the Lives of Women with Unusual Jobs or Passions.” They have worked to increase the number of our writers and to increase our outreach and traffic. Like our board, they are tireless.

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A special valentine goes to our writers—many of whom now contribute on a regular basis. The editors and readers are aware of the thought and time it takes each of you to craft a piece for this site. You bring vision and imagination to those who do not know what lies ahead, as well as hope for those who are undergoing a trauma or transition. Through you we get humor to brighten the dullest day; acquire secrets that women of wisdom have about life and sex and joy to pass on to those just entering this life stage; offer medical and psychological help for those who seek information from experts; and provide insight into the worlds of books, art, poetry, film, and fashion. Most important: You, our writers, exhibit a spirit of civility and modesty that is rare both in the modern world—and certainly on the Internet.

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Happy Valentine’s Day to each of you who reads this post.  My heart belongs to you. ♥

Most sincerely,

Dr. Pat