Life and Work with Betsy Cairo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Betsy Cairo.

Betsy, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
For as long as I can remember, I have always been fascinated with reproduction. Every paper I wrote in high school, every presentation, etc. Always wanting to learn more. When I got into college, I found a degree that resonated with me and that was Animal Science with a concentration in science and an emphasis in reproduction. It was a good match. After college, I worked in the animal science field for about four years when I had an opportunity to move the human world with a reproductive endocrinologist in Phoenix. I took her existing in-house sperm bank and expanded it, bringing much of what I learned from the animal industry to the human world. After a couple of years, my husband and I wanted to move back to Colorado. This is where I got the opportunity to open my own sperm bank and fertility center. Along the way, I started and finished my doctorate in human reproduction and began teaching several courses as adjunct faculty at a local university. It was at this time I realized the need for more, complete teaching of human sexuality/reproductive health to our youth. I mean, I had junior and senior students in college that didn’t understand the basics of this very important, life encompassing topic. During this time, about 13 years ago, I started a non-profit called Look Both Ways (For reproductive health). This non-profit specializes in comprehensive reproductive health education for K-12 (and beyond), does parent workshops, youth workshops, professional development for people working with youth and I took the college textbook I wrote and adapted it for the high school level. All of these things have led me to this point. I still have my cryobank/fertility lab but my push now is to get a semester-long, comprehensive reproductive health education class into the high schools. We need to see how critical this information is for our youth and how helpful it will be for them. After teaching at the undergraduate and graduate level for 21 years, my emphasis is to prepare our youth DURING high school so they will be prepared AFTER for all the other things that await them.

Has it been a smooth road?
This has not been a smooth road. Still isn’t. When I mention reproductive health education, people often nod and say things like, “I don’t want you teaching my kid about sex”. Trust me, that is not our goal. This topic, for some reason, has been dropped into a moral trough and it has been an uphill battle to remove the stigma surrounding it, BUT I have not given up. My advice for women starting on your journey is to remember that it can be daunting. There might be the feeling that more doors get slammed shut than open, but keep in mind that there will be a door that opens and all that perseverance will pay off.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Look Both Ways – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I am a certified reproductive biologist that owns the only cryobank in Colorado. In fact, I think I am the only woman-owned cryobank in the nation. CryoGam is a small company that prides itself on not being corporate so we can keep our prices low and offer individual time to our clients. I am also a certified sexuality educator. These are my specialties and they all revolve around us as a complete being. I think I am known for a few things. I was a well-respected university professor, my classes were pretty popular. I did a Tedx talk in Denver, and I was awarded Sexuality Educator of the Year by the American Association of Educators, Counselors, and Therapists. I think what sets me apart from others is that I never viewed my life as having a glass ceiling. I started in a heavily dominated male field but I never felt this was an issue. I never allowed it to be an issue. Additionally, having my non-profit Look Both Ways has taught me that if you feel something is important enough, you will continue to fight for it no matter how long it takes.

One of our newest projects is working to get reproductive health education out there using our podcast. You can find on Podbean or wherever you stream podcasts such as Spotify.

Who have you been inspired by?
My mother inspired me. She was strong and independent even being born in 1924. I am one of 6 children, having four sisters and a brother. My mother had a college degree when degrees for women were not typical. She taught piano during the day and managed to get all the “domestic” responsibilities done as well. She was very organized and determined. Growing up in this household was so empowering. Imagine having five girls during this era and telling all of us that we can do and be anything we want and then sending us off to college to make that dream happen. She was an amazing woman.

Contact Info:

• Address: 2216 Hoffman Dr. Loveland, CO
• Website: www.lkbthwys.org
• Phone: 970-667-9906
• Email: Betsy@lkbthwys.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lookbothwaysinc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LookBothWaysInc/?ref=settings
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/lkbthwys
• Other: https://lkbthwys.podbean.com/

Image Credit:
Elise Taylor Photography

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