March Cognitive Kit: Women’s History Month

Welcome to our March Cognitive Kit! This month’s theme is Women’s History Month and we are excited to share a book recommendation, crossword puzzle, writing prompt, coloring page, and some additional resources and further reading that highlight the accomplishments of women as well as the need for female representation in research. 

Click on the files below to download and print any of the exercises and if you’d like to, please tag us on social media when you’re finished. We’d love to see your completed activities! 

Book Recommendation:  

Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness by Susannah Cahalan (2013) 

“When twenty-four-year-old Susannah Cahalan woke up alone in a hospital room, strapped to her bed and unable to move or speak, she had no memory of how she’d gotten there. Days earlier, she had been on the threshold of a new, adult life: at the beginning of her first serious relationship and a promising career at a major New York newspaper. Now she was labeled violent, psychotic, a flight risk. What happened?

In a swift and breathtaking narrative, Susannah tells the astonishing true story of her descent into madness, her family’s inspiring faith in her, and the lifesaving diagnosis that nearly didn’t happen. ‘A fascinating look at the disease that…could have cost this vibrant, vital young woman her life’ (People), Brain on Fire is an unforgettable exploration of memory and identity, faith and love, and a profoundly compelling tale of survival and perseverance that is destined to become a classic.” (Summary from Amazon) 

You can find Brain on Fire at your local library, or on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and more. To learn more about the book, its accolades, and Susannah Cahalan, please visit the author’s website. 

Crossword Puzzle:  

    You can download this month’s crossword puzzle here: March 2024 Cognitive Kit Crossword Puzzle (Hint! The answers can be found in the featured study and resources below.) 

    You can see the answers to the February Cognitive Kit crossword puzzle here. 

    Update: You can now view the answers to the March crossword puzzle here!

    Writing Prompt:  

    “Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.” – Helen Keller 

    What was a time in your life that being optimistic helped you? What did you achieve because you chose to look at it in an optimistic or confident way? 

    You can download this month’s writing prompt and journal page here: March 2024 Cognitive Kit Writing Prompt

    Coloring Page:  

    You can download this month’s coloring page here: March 2024 Cognitive Kit Coloring Page

    Featured Research Study: 

    Take a look at the study below to learn more about TBI in women survivors of intimate partner violence. 

    Neural Correlates of Traumatic Brain Injury in Women Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence: A Structural and Functional Connectivity Neuroimaging Study – PubMed (nih.gov)  

    First Author: Jirapat Likitlersuang, PhD
    Senior Author: Catherine B Fortier, PhD 

    Resources:  

    Take a look at this month’s highlighted resources:  

    History of Women’s Participation in Clinical Research | Office of Research on Women’s Health (nih.gov) 

    Underrepresentation of women in early-stage clinical trials (clinicaltrialsarena.com) 

    Federal funding to address violence against women | Office on Women’s Health (womenshealth.gov) 

    Screening for Brain Injury Sustained in the Context of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV): Measure Development and Preliminary Utility of the Brain Injury Screening Questionnaire IPV Module – PubMed (nih.gov) 

    Thank you for completing the March Cognitive Kit activities! If you’d like to see kits from other months, please click here.