About this Website

This web site has a lot of ideas, information, and materials that may help you start a local program about eating well and exercising more.  We set up this website once our project ended so that others can learn from what we did. We also encourage you to use any materials that we developed. 

We were originally asked to develop a model program.  And so we did. This model has been adapted by people in many different states and is now a national effort sponsored by National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).

About Sisters Together

How did Sisters Together Begin?

The Sisters Together Program began as a campaign focused on increasing activity and healthful eating. We focused our messages on young Black women in three Boston communities—Dorchester, Mattapan, and Roxbury. 

Sisters Together was a pilot project of the Weight-Control Information Network (WIN) and was first supported by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). 

Sisters Together was highlighted as one of ten model programs in the first Surgeon General's Report on Physical Activity. The campaign themes and focused activities emphasize self efficacy, resource development, and community partnerships. But we wanted to do more than just bring messages to the community. We wanted to highlight the wonderful resources, the creative people, and long standing programs in our neighborhoods. 

The Sisters Together Program developed partnerships with programs and people in the community. These partnerships grew into a coalition.

What was our Mission Statement?

Sisters Together was a coalition of community organizations and residents. We were committed to promoting a healthy community and lifestyle among people of color in the urban Boston area. We created opportunities for both community and individual change. We did this by cosponsoring activities and communicating culturally relevant health messages. These health messages were designed to raise awareness about the benefits of healthy eating and physical activity.

What Did We Do?

Sisters Together emphasized the importance of women, of friends and family, and of the community.

Sisters Together encouraged personal change such as increased physical activity as well as good eating. We helped women move more. Community programs focus on fitness, walking, and dancing. We also helped women eat better. We tried to help women buy, prepare, and eat healthy foods. We planned and offered programs on planning, shopping, and cooking.

Sisters Together believed that real change takes place in the company of friends and family. Our action steps brought women together for sharing and talking and activities.

Sisters Together knows that we must take action as a community. We all need to work together to support our health. We need safe and pleasant places for exercise and activities. We need easy access to great fresh foods at reasonable prices. Let's work together.


A 'How To' Manual, based on the Sisters Together Project and prepared by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), is now available.



Please click here to access the manual in PDF format. Need Acrobat Reader? Visit www.adobe.com.

Hair Care Tips for Sisters on the Move

Download Hair Care Tips  available in PDF format. Acrobat Reader required.

Home | Coalition | Move More | Eat Better | Features | Research | Links

This page is maintained by Sisters Together. To contact us with suggestions, comments, and questions, please e-mail: rrudd@hsph.harvard.edu.

Harvard School of Public Health

Copyright, 2001, President and Fellows of Harvard College
You are visitor number 71022 since August 18, 1999.