Our Mission
Our mission is to empower women to understand the profound impact of women's hormonal health on Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s has a disproportionate impact on women, and yet, women’s health continues to be unprioritized and stigmatized in scientific and political dialogue. By promoting early conversations about women's brain health, raising awareness of the connection between women and AD, supporting innovative research on Alzheimer’s, and connecting with policymakers, we aim to close the gender gap in neurological health studies and centralize these critical issues.
Who We Are
Bailey Card
Founder & President
My name is Bailey Card. I am a high school student at Horace Greeley High School. When I was 10 years old my grandma was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease (AD). She still lives with this disease today. At first, this news sent me into a spiral of denial. I felt alone and scared. I knew very little about AD and dementia. That fear, although ever present in my mind, has shifted into a dedication to researching the disease, educating those suffering and at risk, and supporting those suffering from AD and their loved ones.
My journey researching AD and advocating for those suffering from AD began as I entered my sophomore year of high school when I took a class that allowed me to conduct independent research on a specific scientific area. I chose to study AD in order to feel more connected with my grandma and to understand what was happening inside her brain. But this research unfortunately made me feel more powerless and helpless. I found little consensus in the scientific community identifying the cause of AD and no real solutions. At this moment, I decided to begin my own company to fund research and support the families of those suffering. I hoped this company would help me and others like me understand what was happening to their loved ones.
What I discovered along the way surprised me and Mind The Pause was born. I learned that there was a tremendous gap in numbers between women and men who are diagnosed with AD. Women suffer almost twice as often as men. Why was there not more research, and how had I not known this before? Why was there such a gap in this specific education? As I delved deeper into this disparity, I learned that there is a definable connection between AD and the hormonal shifts that affect women as they age and enter menopause. I learned that these changes that might be linked directly to AD begin well before symptoms of menopause appear, meaning that younger women need to become aware of this connection and what they can do to prevent AD. Once again, my fear of AD began to take hold as I started to worry about my mother and all the women in my life who were at great risk of contracting this awful disease. Mind The Pause evolved to focus on the specific issues affecting women and AD. Here, we raise money for research related to menopause and AD, while also supporting the normalization of education on this topic.
Join Us!
How Are We Doing This?
Our focus lies mainly on educating young people, enabling them to lead in fostering intergenerational dialogue about the connections between hormonal health and Alzheimer's Disease. We hope to inspire activism and change, spread awareness, increase access to resources, and raise critical funds needed to support expanded research.
We are all impacted by the issues that affect women, whether as children, parents, or friends. Through education and amplification, we can inspire proactive health management, support those affected, and drive meaningful change for future generations.
Position / Role
Taylor Quill
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Position / Role
Alex Smith
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Position / Role
Morgan James
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Francesca Colaco
Executive Board Member
I am a sophomore at Horace Greeley High School, and my interest in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) began when I learned about the staggering impact it has on women. Women make up nearly two-thirds of those diagnosed with AD, yet it remains under-discussed in both research and healthcare. What shocked me even more was discovering that hormonal changes, such as those during menopause, could play a significant role in the development of the disease. This motivated me to get involved with Mind the Pause and contribute to raising awareness about these challenges.
Marley Gellert
Executive Board Member
My name is Marley Gellert, and I am a student at Horace Greeley High School. In 2018, when I was just 10 years old, my grandpa was diagnosed with Alzhimers Disease (AD). He struggled with this disease for 2 long years and passed away in December of 2020. Hearing the news that grandpa was sick was utterly confusing to say the least. In my head “sick” was coughing, sneezing, or having a stomach ache, but he had none of these symptoms. He was just different. I watched as he forgot my name, where he lived, and even how to eat.
As I grew older and eventually said goodbye to my grandpa, I realized I wanted to make a difference. There had to be a way to help those with AD or detect it earlier befor it progressed too far. This disease has taken countless lives, and its impact is devitating. Being a part of Mind the Pause is my way of contributing to the fight against AD and honoring my grandpa’s memory. I know firsthand how heartbreaking it is to watch a loved one fade away, which is why I am committed to raising awareness and making a difference.
Zoe Golub
Executive Board Member
I am a junior in high school and have always been passionate about medical research, especially in women’s health. My interest in Alzheimer’s disease grew when I learned that women’s symptoms are often dismissed as normal aging, partly due to the gap in clinical research focused on women. Despite making up the majority of Alzheimer’s cases, women remain underrepresented in studies, leading to delayed diagnoses and missed opportunities for early intervention.
What’s even more shocking is how little awareness exists around this issue. Women’s health is critically underrepresented in research, and educating people about these disparities is essential. This realization motivated me to get involved with Mind the Pause, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing Alzheimer’s research for women and raising awareness about gender-based health inequities.
Chloe Poole
Executive Board Member
My name is Chloe Poole, and I am a freshman at Horace Greeley High School. My connection to Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) started when my maternal grandmother got diagnosed in 2014 when I was 5 years old. I honestly don't remember the beginning stages, but I do remember the feeling of joy that she and I would share when we were together. As I grew up, I started to understand that the disease would slowly take away her memories, and soon she wouldn't even recognize me. For the long 8 years she had AD I watched the disease have such a big impact on not just her but everyone around her too, and that's why my own experiences have led me to join Mind The Pause.
I believe that the more people start to understand Alzheimer’s and its heartbreaking effects, the more they will want to help and support. And, as we realize the connection between women's health, changing hormones in their early stages, and AD, we can better understand how we can come together as a community to support ways to reduce the risks of development of AD.
Jessie Richman
Executive Board Member
My name is Jessie Richman, and I'm a freshman at Horace Greeley High School. My grandpa was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease (AD) when I was 9 years old. At that young age, hearing that my grandpa had a disease I knew nothing about was very scary. I couldn’t fully grasp what Alzheimer’s was, and I couldn’t imagine how it would affect him or our family. Over the years, I’ve witnessed how Alzheimer’s has slowly taken away parts of his memory, his independence, and even his personality. Seeing the emotional toll it has taken on my family has driven me to learn more about AD and find ways to help others who are facing similar challenges.
Even though my grandpa’s journey with Alzheimer’s is ongoing, I feel inspired by the strength and resilience he continues to show. His experience has pushed me to seek answers about the disease and how we can better support those living with it. It has also sparked a desire within me to raise awareness and advocate for change in the fight against Alzheimer's. Being a part of Mind the Pause makes me excited and happy to be a part of something that is so important in making a change in this topic.