Beacon Hill resident AK Goodman, an obstetrician and gynecologist, will discuss sexual and gender violence around the world at tonight’s meeting of the Beacon Hill Women’s Forum, an organization formed last year to connect and inspire neighborhood women. In addition, Hilary Hickok, owner of Hilary House Interiors, will present this month’s 5-minute Neighborhood Narrative.

A global health expert, Goodman’s presentation, ‘In Bangla there is no word for Vagina: Reflections on language, gender violence and women’s health,’ stems from her extensive work in third world countries. She is a member of the national disaster team, IMSuRT (International Medical Surgical Response team), a branch of the US department of Health and Human Services, and has deployed to various international disasters including Bam, Iran 2004, Banda Aceh 2005, Haiti 2010 and the Philippines 2014.  Goodman will follow her presentation with tour of the MGH Museum of Medicine and the Ether Dome on October 22, for BHWF members.Hickok owns and operates the shop and residential interior design firm that has been located at 86 Chestnut Street for 56 years. It was originally founded by her mother, Ann Sullivan, and grandmother. Hickok grew up on Beacon Hill and has worked for twenty five years designing and completing numerous projects throughout Boston, the Cape and Islands, Maine, Rhode Island as well as Florida, San Diego and Washington D.C.

BHWF meetings, which include appetizers and a cash bar, are held from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the Hampshire House, 84 Beacon Street. The program will begin promptly at 7 pm. To attend, women from Beacon Hill and surrounding neighborhoods must first join by paying a $50 membership, according to federal guidelines for nonprofit social organizations. There is a $20 charge for each meeting. For more information, go to www.beaconhillwomensforum.org.