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Spike Lee's wife speaks out about women's health

Posted at 6:16 PM, Jan 20, 2016
and last updated 2016-01-21 08:50:58-05

Director Spike Lee's wife is in town, not for a movie production, but for a women's health initiative. Tonya Lewis Lee is in Stuart visiting Mary's Shelter on the Treasure Coast.

It's a facility that helps pregnant women. Several years ago, Lee says she was a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services concerning infant mortality.

Since then, she's been an advocate for women's health. "Infant mortality really is the marker of a health of a nation, the health of a community. so when we look at that, and we are looking at what's going on with women, there are issues of obesity, issues as you mentioned of diabetes, and heart disease and all of that"

Lee has a web site with resources to help women, but also says communities should work together to help individuals live healthy lives.

On a side note, her husband Spike Lee is making headlines about the Oscars.

Several celebrities say they are boycotting the Oscars this year due to a lack of diversity in the nominations.

Recently, The Academy gave Lee an honorary Oscar in November for al of his work. But now he says the nominations don't show diversity. HIs wife told us,

"But I think there is a frustration when you look at the nominees for The Academy Awards this year and they remain the same white faces, because he as we all know really very talented people don't get those same opportunities."

The Academy's president says they are trying to be more inclusive. The Awards are on February 28, 2016.