Seleni Founder Speaks at the United State of Women Summit

The White House Summit hosted leaders from various industries to unite, reflect, and effect change on key women's issues

June 15, 2016

Yesterday the White House convened the first ever United State of Women Summit, bringing together thousands of thought leaders to delve deeply into key gender equality issues and what needs to be done to improve the state of women in the United States and worldwide. Seleni Institute’s Founder and Executive Chairwoman, Nitzia Logothetis, was honored to speak at the summit about maternal mental health.

Joined by public and private sector panelists, and moderated by Jewel Mullen, MD, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Ms. Logothetis explained how Seleni works to break generational cycles of poor mental health and improve access to mental health care. “Seleni supports women exactly where they are—whether they are teen moms, older moms or pregnant with a baby with a chromosomal abnormality, we seek to hold their hand and stay with them until they don’t need the support anymore,” said Ms. Logothetis. “Getting pregnant, not getting pregnant, suffering a stillbirth and recurrent miscarriages are far more common that you can imagine and can bring even the strongest women and families to their knees. Seleni exists first and foremost to destigmatize mental health so that women and families can get the support they need.”

Yesterday’s Summit covered topics including economic empowerment, education, health care, entrepreneurship, and leadership. But beyond the range of conversations, the Summit was also a day of action, including a White House announcement of $50 million worth of commitments to improve the lives of women and girls around the world and target key gender gaps in society.

The Seleni Institute was honored to participate. We are grateful to the White House, the event sponsors, and all of the participants for creating, supporting, and taking part in such an inspiring day and for working hard to make a positive impact in the lives of women and in our global community.