By: Hanna Nakano
A new women’s circle for those on the motherhood journey takes shape this month. Davis Women’s Circles, hosted by author and women’s health nurse practitioner Emese Parker, aim to support and empower women during this nuanced time in life.
The new women-focused support group offers community classes, pregnancy and motherhood coaching services.
“Motherhood is the ultimate adventure, filled with wonder, beauty and precious moments, as well as chaos, exhaustion, loneliness, and overwhelm. It’s no joke,” Parker told The Dirt. “Most mamas are surprised to hear that this season of “mother-becoming” is a major developmental milestone lasting years—maybe a lifetime. Sure, people have heard of “adolescence” and are therefore ready for the ups and downs that it brings, but very few mamas have heard of “matrescence” and how profoundly it shifts a woman’s identity.”
The group workshops are designed for mothers of all aged children.
“My hope is to provide a warm, special and intimate space where people can step out of the hustle of life and into a space of community, love, and compassion,” Parker said. “It’s a place to share stories, hear collective wisdom, have fun and be refreshed. Think of it as a mini retreat that also expands a woman’s village.”
Parker attended the University of Puget Sound, Boston College, and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Parker’s first book, To Carry Wonder, aims to nurture, inspire and equip women across the four trimesters of early motherhood using stories and evidence-based info to help women authentically experience their pregnancies and have the resources they need to advocate for themselves and their families.
“People are created for community. Every woman needs her own village where she can be herself, remove the masks of motherhood, debunk myths, and be real,” Parker said. “She needs a safe space to laugh, cry, be angry, hear herself think, celebrate, dream, and grow.”
Davis Women’s Circle meetings are held in the Redwood Building from 1:30p—3:30p on the 14th and 2:45p—4:45p on the 28th this month. Cost is $32, but a sliding scale is available. To Carry Wonder is available at The Avid Reader.
