Ruth Frazier has spent much of her life working as a community organizer in New Mexico and around the world. When her daughter, Michele Baldwin, received a final prognosis of 3 to 6 months to live after battling late stage cervical cancer, Ruth’s experience and passion allowed her to support her daughter in a final adventure: a 700-mile paddle board expedition down the Ganga River in India to raise awareness of cervical cancer, preventative screening, and the HPV vaccine. Through Michele’s message, Ruth believes we can make cervical cancer a thing of the past.

Ruth spoke at the sold-out TEDxABQ Women event in Albuquerque on December 5, 2013. In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group.