In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, Alexandria Celebrates Women's May Salon will host two leading experts on mindfulness on Friday, May 17. Alexandria Celebrates Women Salon is a monthly gathering of leading women thinkers and changemakers in an informal setting designed to spark conversation and collaboration.

The May Salon takes place on Friday, May 17 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., featuring Gina Rollo White, the founder and CEO of Mindful Junkie, a not-for-profit organization helping First Responders mindfully navigate the chaos of work and life; and Michelle Mitchell, the Director of Partnerships and National Facilitator for Pure Edge Inc., an organization that supports the health and wellness of educators and learners by sharing strategies to reduce stress and improve focus. The event will take place at The Hub at Canal Center, located at 99 Canal Center in Old Town North. 

"The pandemic spotlighted the tremendous challenges that our first responders and educators face," said Alexandria Celebrates Women president Pat Miller. "These two women do extraordinary work supporting these essential workers, and will share mindfulness strategies that can support mental health in both everyday life and in trauma situations."

White has over 15 years experience as a mind-body teacher, educator, and author. She has spent the last seven years developing trauma-sensitive mindfulness trainings, programs and workshops tailored for law enforcement, fire services, medical professionals, military, and other trauma-sensitive communities. She has delivered these trainings to hundreds of departments across the country, and authored a Department of Justice-approved Criminal Justice Mindfulness Training Curriculum, which forms the backbone of her first responder mindfulness training programs. Her book, Tactical Brain Training, A Guide to Stress and Trauma Management for First Responders, will be available soon. 

Mitchell has supported students and educators in K-12 schools for the past 20 years as a mentor, athletic trainer, school counselor, enrichment program provider, and consultant. In addition to her role at Pure Edge, Inc., she teaches stress management to undergraduate students at George Washington University, where she is also a doctoral candidate completing her dissertation on educator well-being policy.

The event is free and open to all; participants are encouraged to bring new stuffed animals for the Alexandria Police Foundation; officers give these comfort items to children in crisis situations.

Alexandria Celebrates Women (ACW) is a volunteer-run, 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit organization with a two-fold purpose: to raise needed funds for the Alexandria Domestic Violence Safehouse and to recognize the accomplishments and contributions of Alexandria, Virginia’s women of the past, present and future. For more information, visit alexandriacelebrateswomen.com.