HOW WOACA WAS STARTED

Jacki Gethner (LMT, Certified Alcohol & Drug counselor, 1998-2019), was the sole recipient of a national diversity award from Kaiser Permanente in 2009 and founded Women of a Certain Age. The $10,000 monetary award has been used to help support girlfriends to improve their relationships and thus improve their health and livelihood.

She has won numerous awards since then and has been interviewed both in print and on the radio on related subjects. 

More About Jacki Gethner

Jacki Gethner, a resident of Portland, Oregon is a renowned international health advocate, activist and educator. In 1987, she launched her practice Regenerative Therapies and she possesses over three decades of experience in counseling and bodywork. Jacki has a history in the field of HIV/AIDS where she has worked in collaboration with many civic and government agencies, health educators, faith-based organizations and pharmaceutical companies.

Jacki is recognized as a pioneer and seasoned healer in working with trauma and long term chronic/terminal illnesses with families and vulnerable communities through the use of integrative therapies.

Jacki's work with WOACA gives her many opportunities to educate and inspire, and her approach includes blunt and respectful conversation around sensitive topics including intimate relationships, sexual behaviors, the importance of Hepatitis C testing and treatment, and self esteem as it plays into all of the above.

She is known for her playful style and keep-it-real perspective, removing the stigma on these topics and encouraging others to feel safe in discussion.

She often presents on topics such as speaking up for oneself in other aspects of one's life including one's healthcare — covering areas mental, physical, and emotional — with providers, family members, friends and acquaintances.

Her goal is for her message to be spread through you to other women in your life, and to give you the tools and support to have more ease in having conversations around these challenging topics with the people you care about.