Meet the Women Who Are Helping Fight Heart Disease (2024)

The statistics are sobering: Heart disease is the leading cause of death among women of all ages, and is responsible for 1 in 3 deaths each year in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control. Yet, many women still don’t understand how serious their risk is.

Education is an important part of prevention, and the American Heart Association (AHA) works tirelessly to provide resources for women through its Go Red for Women movement, encouraging everyone to do what they can to recognize and prevent cardiovascular conditions. For more than two decades, Go Red for Women has addressed awareness of heart health and the clinical-care gaps found in its diagnosis and treatment, and helped inspire women to take charge of their health.

But to take on such a large task, they need help. This is where the volunteers of Circle of Red — women and men who share the same passion: to make a lasting impact on women’s health — come in. Go Red for Women’s annual giving society raises funds, as well as dispels myths about and raises awareness of heart disease in communities throughout the United States. Members of Circle of Red address the needs of their communities and assist groundbreaking research by raising lifesaving donations. Circle of Red members are transforming their communities with their involvement in changing public-health policies, and helping address inequities in access and quality of care, as well as in research.

Good Housekeeping hosted a roundtable of five of these diligent, hardworking, inspiring women who make Circle of Red the huge success it is, to learn what makes them successful. Here’s what they told us.

Meet the Circle of Red Chairs RoundtableCarolyn Williams Francis, Columbus, Ohio, chair; president and CEO of Williams Interior Designs

Darlene Ellison, Dallas co-chair; Senior Vice President at Veritex Bank

Katie Grimes, Kansas City, co-chair; senior mortgage consultant at CrossCountry Mortgage

Stacy Murray, Dallas co-chair, financial executive

Rachel Smith, Kansas City, co-chair, attorney and owner of Injury Law Associates

How has heart disease touched your life, inspiring you to join Circle of Red?

Ellison: “I got approached by a friend of mine who had been the chair of my local Circle of Red. At the time I said, ‘I don’t really have any personal experience with heart disease, but I’m really passionate about bringing women together and talking about health.’ Fast-forward three years, and I know at least three people, including myself, who have experience with heart issues. This really made me think even more about how important it is that we get the message out about preventing heart disease.”

Murray: “I really believe that the mission, the education about the risk of heart disease that the American Heart Association provides, is very important. I attended a couple of events hosted by Circle of Red, and was always very impressed by the commitment to the cause.”

Grimes: “I think that for me, with Circle of Red, the feeling of not only giving back, but doing business with other like-minded businesswomen in Kansas City, had a big appeal. Giving back has always been a huge pillar of my business. We are all middle-aged women, and heart disease is certainly going to be something that you know one or many of us will be faced with.”

Francis: “My late twin sister, who had a heart condition, and I joined Circle of Red. Our luncheons, which are among the largest in Ohio, are a good opportunity for people to really learn about women and heart disease, and different symptoms that we might not even recognize until they lead to very serious problems.”

Smith: “My dad, who lives in Ohio, is a veteran, and he used to fly out to see us for Veterans Day. One year he was scheduled to come but my stepmother said, ‘Dad’s got really, really bad heartburn.’ I was like, ‘Bad enough to not come visit?’ He did come, but he was unwell the entire weekend. We learned when he returned home he’d been having a heart attack the whole time.”

What impact is Circle of Red making in your local communities?

Murray: “As women, we just have this crazy innate ability to connect, build each other up, support each other. Our events are a great way we can come together and really just put our arms around each other and offer advice and suggestions. We can say, ‘I’ll go to the doctor with you,’ or ‘Let’s go on a walk together.’ I find a lot of satisfaction being with women at events and building relationships — I just think it’s really powerful.”

Ellison: “We have a pickleball event coming up, and women who have supported us in the past are bringing their friends to it. It’s about bringing women together to do something active, to share healthy snacks and to spread important messages — like through a survivor who is there telling their story. I’m just creating fun moments for women to connect through. Most of the women who are involved in Circle of Red here [in Dallas] seem to be some of the busiest women on earth, so this is just a great way to have time to socialize.”

Francis: “In Columbus, we have over 30 new members this year, and we have a total of 66 women in our Circle of Red. At our luncheon, you feel the love and the warmth. And I tell you, there’s not a dry eye when any of our survivors speak. It’s just a blessing that we have the opportunity to get together in that atmosphere. We’re from different backgrounds, and that’s what I like about us. We all come together for the thing we’re concerned about — women’s health and heart disease.”

What does being a Circle of Red member mean to you personally?

Francis: “I am a survivor; I prevented my heart attack. I’m 64 now, and when I was 48, I had ankle surgery, after which you have to watch out for blood clots. When I was doing physical therapy to recover from my surgery, I started to notice that I would get out of breath when I was walking or when I was riding a stationary bike. My neck was also hurting. I was just not feeling well, and one day when my symptoms happened at physical therapy, I thought, ‘I’ll just go home and lay down.’ But then I got this instinct that made the hair stand up on the back of my neck: I knew not to go home, and went straight to the ER.

It turned out I needed a stent immediately! I was taken by ambulance to another hospital that specializes in cardiology, and a friend of mine who is a cardiologist happened to be the one who performed my procedure. I’ve done very well since then, and want to share my story to help other women.”

Ellison: “I think a story like Carolyn’s is so impactful, and more women need to hear stories like hers. With the support of AHA, I think, collaborations with different groups and organizations are such an important part of what we do, and women who are survivors need to be telling their stories in these sessions. It’s not just putting them on a billboard or talking at a luncheon attended by lots of people — it’s important that survivors speak to intimate groups, too. Our events may have, you know, 20 people there and have a survivor speak, and women can identify, because that survivor is right there with them. We have to do this kind of messaging collectively — as women for women, with women, about women.”

Why should every woman prioritize her health, especially her heart health?

Grimes: “I have four kids. I work a lot of hours. So as with a lot of women, my health was at the absolute bottom of my priority list. A couple of years ago, when I turned 40, I knew I wasn’t taking care of myself. Right now, I don’t have any heart-related issues. But this is where it starts: I could see a road where, in my 50s or 60s, I could begin to develop serious health complications. I want to be around for my kids and grandkids. I don’t want heart issues. Almost all heart disease can be prevented when you’re younger. The key is being aware of what you can do to prevent it right now.”

Smith: “I always think about when you’re on an airplane and they say, ‘Put your own oxygen mask on first, and then you can take care of your kids.’ As mothers, business owners and community leaders, taking an hour to go get a heart scan is doing just that.”

Murray: “We’re just living in a hustle-and-bustle society. It’s very easy to forget about self-care, exercise and prioritizing our health. I think part of our mission and getting women together is to share the importance of how women can focus on diet, exercise and meditation to reduce their risk.”

What would you tell someone who’s considering getting involved with Circle of Red?

Murray: “Joining Circle of Red can have different meanings to different people. Some have had a personal experience with heart disease and want to support the cause and advocate. Other people may say, ‘Look at this fabulous group of women supporting this cause. I just want to be in the room with these smart, professional, successful people.’ Once someone joins for any reason, they’re going to feel so welcome. These are real people who care.”

Smith: “I think the key would be getting two or three or five women together and saying, ‘Who wants to be part of this mission? Who’s interested in networking and spending time with other successful women?’ Then engage with the American Heart Association and say, ‘We’d like to launch this.’ The AHA does a great job of supporting us.”

Francis: “We want everybody to walk with us, to learn about heart disease and learn more about other things that we do. You can work with Circle of Red or Go Red for Women, attend a luncheon or explore other opportunities to volunteer. We need our volunteers — they’re our foundation! Every person knows somebody who has had a heart attack; that starts a relatable conversation that opens the door.”

Ellison: “In Dallas, Circle of Red has gone from being first a donor opportunity to being so much more. This is because women see the need for connection, education and relationship-building. You can contact AHA in your area and find a variety of ways to become involved. Go to the AHA site and see what’s happening where you are. If somebody was looking to create a Circle of Red in their community, I would be like, ‘How soon can we talk?’ Across the country, organizers are there to help answer your questions and to inspire you.

What Circle of Red brings home for me is that heart disease is every woman’s issue. We leave these events with an understanding that we need to be aware of the signs of heart disease and to be vigilant, so we can spread this message to other women.”

Learn more about getting involved with Circle of Red in your community.