Women's Resource Center in Alamance County

Shoes.  Why is it so hard to find pretty ones that are comfortable, too?

Our guest speakers at January’s Working Women’s Wednesday gave us a great look at popular shoe styles for ladies (courtesy of Tanger Factory Outlet Center) and what to consider when choosing the best shoe for you.

Gray Carpenter and Mike Sherk, physical therapists at Alamance Regional Medical Center, explained how boots, pumps, flats, and even stilettos can be comfortable and health-conscious, yet stylish at the same time.

Gray recommended first determining your foot’s arch as low, high, or normal, since different arches require different types of support.  A low arch needs soft support that allows it to collapse, while a high arch needs a hard support that keeps it propped up.

For women who like flats, opting for a one-inch heel is a healthier choice than no heel at all, which can cause leg pain.  If you prefer heels, chose the styles that have a platform under the front part of the foot.  Even stiletto heels can be comfortable if they have a thick platform, since this keeps the front of the foot higher up off the floor.  When choosing athletic shoes, make sure the shoe twists without much resistance from heel to toe.  Also check that it bends where the ball of your foot would be.

What about that “one-finger” test our parents did on the toe of our shoes when we were kids?  It’s true that this test gives us a good idea of how much wiggle room the shoe gives our toes.  To do the test properly, place one finger across the end of the shoe. There should be no less than your finger’s width between the tip of your toes and the end of the shoe.

Now that we know all about arches, heels, and wiggle room, there’s only one thing left to do…go shopping!

Click here to view the PowerPoint presentation.

The Executive Committee of the Women’s Resource Center Board of Directors is working to assure a smooth transition to new leadership. Heidi Norwick remains our Executive Director until February 25, 2012, after which she will continue to serve our community through her new position as Director of Community Impact at the United Way of Alamance County.

TRANSITION TIMELINE

Now through February 7:

The committee welcomes resumes and cover letters from interested applicants for the position of Executive Director. Click here to view the Executive Director’s Job Description.

2^nd and 3^rd week of February:

The committee will interview candidates.

If we find the perfect candidate, as we are confident we will, we will make a recommendation to the Board of Directors. If we decide to re-open the search to additional candidates, we will name an Interim Director at this point.

4^th week of February:

The Board will announce its decision.

Please contact one of our committee members with your questions and comments:

Edna Parker                ednap153@bellsouth.net 336-376-0403

Kathy Colville              kcolville@armc.com 336-586-3911

Marti Asher                 MAsher@gcmllp.com 336-213-6487

LuAnn Rice                  lrice@vantagesouth.com 336-532-8006