Fatima Johnson & Amaya
Emilly Driver
& Amaya
care of the nest and call upon their women ties for comfort
or safety. Scientists now believe that a cascade of hormones
are released that help women search, make and maintain
relationships with other women. Perhaps this response to
stress is why women live up to seven years longer than men?
Studies continue to show that social connections decrease
our risk of disease by lowering blood pressure, heart rate, and
cholesterol. According to a study published in the Journal
of Clinical Oncology, women with early-stage breast cancer
were four times more likely to die from cancer if they didn’t
have very many friends. Those with a larger group of friends
had a much better survival rate.
One of my favorite novels, “The Red Tent” by Anita Daimant
is an inspiring biblical story about Dinah, the only daughter
of Jacob and his dozen sons. Told in Dinah’s voice, this novel
reveals the traditions of ancient womanhood. These tribal
times offered a red tent that only women could enter. This
tent was where girls went during their periods and where
women went to give birth. It became a sacred place for
women to take shelter from all their responsibilities and
experience time with mothers, aunts, sisters, and friends. It
was a break from taking care of the fields, the men, and the
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The Belly Dance Chronicles
January 2020
Isis & Amaya
children. It was a time for bonding with the sisterhood. In
today’s modern world, women struggle to carve out this kind
of time for themselves. Abandoning the media myth that all