Sunday afternoon, as buzz over the intensified, a host of women gathered for another kind of event with a focus rather different from that of the red carpet.
The Valley Medical Center's Red Dress Tea and Active Wear Fashion Show at the emphasized many forms of beauty and its relation to health and longevity, rather than simply 'looking good.'
Primary Care Physician Dr. Belinda Fu, MD, explained that cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of women, even though just 8 percent of women believe that fact.
"What shocks me is the amount of awareness around breast cancer. That's great," Fu said, adding that the need for cardiovascular health needs just as much attention.
Renton City Council President Terri Briere learned of the dangers of cardiovascular disease through her mother-in-law, who had her first heart attack at 40-years-old, a story she shared while on stage at the event.
Her mother-in-law survived, but continued to experience heart-related health issues throughout her life.
"If it's something you can take care of now," she said of preventing the disease, "It's so worth it."
Briere also thanked the Renton Fire and Emergency Services Department for providing health screening during February in honor of .
"They've done over 6,500 health screenings in addition to their other duties," she said.
Firefighters from the Renton Emergency Services Department also attended the GLOW event with blood pressure cuffs and blood glucose monitors on hand for anyone who wanted a screening.
Kim Blakeley, community relations manager for , said the online registration for the event was full at 330 people.
The two-plus-hour program ended with an active wear fashion show ended with a selection of yoga active wear from , and an untraditional exhibit from Industries International.
Mary Kay Lewis, the vintage fashion collection coordinator, walked the audience through the decades, starting in the 1860s.
Although the program ran alarmingly close to the start of the Oscars, Lewis urged the audience to stick around, and most women stayed through to the end.
"I promise you, this is as good as the red carpet," she said.
*Editor's note: The original article misstated the number of health screenings provided during heart health month. The Renton Fire and Emergency Services Department provided those screening, not the Police Department, as originally written in the story. Renton Patch Regrets the errors.
