Working women in the county rank fair pay, affordable housing, gender equality and vacation leave as the top job-related issues, according to the “Women and Work Survey” conducted by the Montgomery County Business and Professional Women’s (MCBPW) organization. The results are based on 650 returns out of more than 2,000 surveys distributed in English and Spanish to working women throughout the county.
Also ranking high on the survey were work/life balance, employer-sponsored opportunities to improve knowledge and skills, feeling safe at work, employer-provider retirement/pension benefits and health insurance.
In addition to sharing the results with local government, MCBPW plans to form task forces to address the top-ranking issues and “help find solutions.”
For a copy of the survey results, call Rudy Aridi at 301-977-1671.
The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) of Montgomery County will hold its annual Heroes Dinner on Thursday, May 2, at the Doubletree Hotel in Rockville, from 6-9 p.m. This year’s dinner honors former Montgomery Council president Blair Ewing, U.S. Sen. Paul Wellstone of Minnesota and Maryland state Del. Tod Sher for their work in support of those with serious mental illness. The keynote speaker will be E. Fuller Torrey, M.D., psychiatrist and author of “Surviving Schizophrenia.” Cost for the dinner and award ceremony is $30. Registration is limited. Call 301-949-5852.
The Pain Connection of Potomac sponsors monthly meetings for people coping with chronic pain. The next meeting will be held on Thursday, May 2, from 10:30 a.m.-noon, at Davis Library, 6400 Democracy Blvd. in Bethesda. The topic will be “Acknowledging How Chronic Pain Has Changed Your Physical Self.” Call 301-309-2444.
The Arc of Montgomery County is sponsoring the 42nd Annual Fashion Show fund-raiser, auction and luncheon, “Bourbon Street Bash,” on Saturday, May 4, at 10:30 a.m., at Indian Spring Country Club, 13501 Layhill Road, in Silver Spring. Proceeds go toward the organization’s efforts to improve the quality of life of county residents with mental retardation. Minimum donation is $50 for adults, $30 for age 18 and under. Call 301-984-5777, Ext. 271.
Great Strides, a walk to cure cystic fibrosis, will be held at various locations the weekend of May 18-19. Walkers raise money through prepaid pledges. Money raised will support research by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Locally, the walk will take place on Saturday, May 18, at Glen Echo Park at MacArthur Boulevard and Oxford Road. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m.; walk begins at 10:30 a.m. Call Karen Fink at 301-657-8444.
A free weight-loss and fitness workshop, “Finally…the Truth About How to Lose Weight” will be held on Wednesday, May 22, at 7 p.m. at Potomac Community Center. Register online at www.achieve-fitness.com, or call 240-731-3724.
Seminars, support groups and classes through Adventist Health Care take place at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital, 9901 Medical Center Drive in Rockville, unless noted otherwise. To register and for a complete listing of available classes, call 1-800-542-5096.
* Alcoholics Anonymous/Al-Anon These groups meet every Sunday at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call 202-966-9115.
* Narcotics Anonymous. This group meets every Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
* Healthy Hearts. Cardiac support program is designed to provide inspiration, motivation and education to patients and caregivers following a heart attack or stroke. Group meets on Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. Call 301-253-1502.
* Heart-to-Heart, a support group for people with heart disease, and their spouses, meets on the third Thursday of each month at the Cardiovascular Fitness Center (9715 Medical Center Drive, No. 130, Rockville).
* Sickle Cell Anemia Support. Individuals with sickle cell anemia and their family and friends may attend the next meeting on Saturday, May 4, at 12:30 p.m. Free.
* Allergies. Learn about the latest treatments at a free seminar on Monday, May 6 at 7:15 p.m.
* Baby-Sitting. A class for mother’s helpers 11 and older on Sunday, May 5, at 10 a.m. on basic care for infants and children. Registration is required. Cost is $30.
* Infant Safety & CPR. Learn how to childproof the home and how to respond to situations involving infant airway obstruction and cardiac or respiratory arrest. Class will be held on Sunday, May 5, at 2 p.m. Advance registration required. Cost is $25 per person or $40 a couple.
* First Aid. Learn how to treat first-aid emergencies by attending a class on Monday, May 6, at 5:30 p.m. Cost is $45. Advance registration required.
* Hepatitis Support. Free group meets on Tuesday, May 7, at 7 p.m. Call Lynn at 301-216-1367.
* Stroke Club. Stroke survivors, their caregivers and families will meet on Wednesday, May 8, at 7 p.m., at Shady Grove Nursing & Rehab Center, 9701 Medical Center Drive in Rockville. Free. Call 301-869-1580.
* MS Outreach. Free education and support for persons with multiple sclerosis on Wednesday, May 8. Call Donna at 301-680-3576.