There is something profoundly sacred that happens when women come together—not just to share stories but to bear witness to each other’s strength, struggles, and evolution. Project31 has been that place for an ever-growing number of Oklahoma women: a community of survivors and thrivers, where education meets empathy and sisterhood runs deep.
On June 7th, I had the privilege of speaking at the 3rd Annual Survivorship Expo in Oklahoma City. My session, “Me, The V, & We,” centered on something often whispered about, overlooked, or misunderstood—our intimate selves. We explored the mind-body connection after breast cancer, the importance of caring for vulvovaginal health following treatment, and the quiet grief and disruption that cancer can bring to shared sexuality. But more importantly, we talked about pathways to hope, pleasure, and reconnection.
As a sexual health educator and long-time partner of Project31, I have learned that humor and honesty can open the door to healing. For nine years, I’ve walked beside this incredible group of women—offering education, yes, but also laughter, language, and tools for navigating evolving intimacy.
The truth is: intimacy doesn’t disappear after cancer—it shifts. Sometimes, it whispers. Sometimes, it waits. But with support, curiosity, and the right information, it can bloom again.
Project31 is more than a support group. It’s a place of shared wisdom, resource exchange, safe space, and soul-deep sisterhood. It is a circle where women uplift women, where tenderness is met with strength, and where stories are never too vulnerable to be heard.
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To every woman who showed up to the expo with questions in your heart and courage in your step—thank you. The power of women uniting truly is unstoppable. Together, we bring hope into even the most tender places of intimacy and relationship.
With deep gratitude,
Traci Owen, BSN, RN, CSC-S, SE
Intimate Pathways Center for Sexual Health