Commitment to Education and Women’s Empowerment Through Sobriety
I had the privilege of photographing Deborah Hudzik, Ed.D. She shared her recent journey.
“I have spent over 40 years as a teacher and administrator at the K-16 level and for the last few years, I’ve worked as a college-level Chemistry tutor. I love working with the students and celebrating their academic successes.
I retired as a school district administrator before COVID but I was then asked to teach a few online classes. I realized that retirement didn’t suit me, so I started tutoring to maintain my skill set and keep my brain functioning. It’s a good feeling to be able to help make Chemistry easier for them.
Another current passion of mine is the non-profit Women for Sobriety. I’m on their Board of Directors. We support women with substance abuse issues and those who want to explore a non-drinking lifestyle. For me, the choice came because of a bout with breast cancer. I had Stage 3 cancer which necessitated a lumpectomy, chemo, and radiation. My bout with breast cancer opened my eyes to alcohol’s harmful effects. Drinking was in opposition to the rest of my life as a vegan who exercises regularly. It’s been 5 years.
During COVID many women started drinking more and that behavior became normalized. Women sipping pink bubbly stuff and laughing together were commercialized. Many women became alcohol dependent.
Women for Sobriety was created almost 50 years ago by Jean Kirkpatrick, Ph.D. a sociologist, who recognized that the needs of women with substance abuse issues are different from those of men. It is the first peer-support program tailored specifically for women overcoming substance use disorders. Women feel deep shame from drinking because they are looked upon differently by society. They are mostly responsible for childcare and they have greater incidences of depression than men, which alcohol only exacerbates. Women for Sobriety removes the negativity and instead deals with the issues that women face, approaching it more positively. Before COVID, the meetings were almost all regional. During COVID, more meetings went on Zoom and grew worldwide. We are still a relatively small organization. I wish more women knew about us because we are making a difference.
I love that we are helping many women and I want to help grow this organization so that more women find out about us! Researching and writing grants, recruiting volunteers, facilitating meetings, and external fundraising activities are a part of my current passion for helping women recover.
About Alissa, she was amazing. Lisa the stylist did a great job. She was spot on. I’ve had many headshots done before but they were just ok. These headshots are beautiful! I was shocked at how much younger I look in my photos, that’s important when you are 67. Wow! I need to get my daughter to come in and see Alissa. With Alissa’s headshot, my personality comes out. It is something I’ve not had before.”
To learn more: www.womenforsobriety.org