“Women on the Rise” education, networking event returns March 8

ST. MARYS - The Women Empowering Women (WEW) Education and Networking Event is returning for its second annual event on March 8 being celebrated in conjunction with International Women's Day.

The “Women On the Rise Event” day-long event will take place at the Red Fern in Kersey from 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Included in the ticket cost is lunch, a keynote speaker, five educational breakout sessions and a networking event. New this year is the addition of a special networking opportunity allowing women the chance to expand their networks and socialize without having to divide their focus or attention. There will also be a gift basket giveaway and a grand prize gift basket drawing worth more than $100.

“It is sure to be an educational and fun-filled day for everyone,” said Shanda Kelsch, president of Women Empowering Women Personal and Professional Development.

At the inaugural 2022 half-day event, over 80 women were in attendance from various backgrounds and industries from as far away as Dauphin County as they learned about their individual leadership styles, building self-confidence, and life balance. Last year there were three breakout sessions which have expanded to four longer education sessions this year allowing for extra time for questions and answers for the attendees while they are with their respective leaders. A new breakout session will be offered this year, "Power Up! Self Defense Training for Women”, with the help of Silver Dragon Martial Arts in St. Marys to "spice things up a little" and have a little extra fun while attendees empower their own bodies and learn how to protect themselves .

Kelsch said what makes this event unique is that it’s not just for CEO’s or women in business, but rather an opportunity for all women to break through barriers and achieve their goals and ambitions whether they are in the manufacturing industry, a homemaker, climbing the corporate ladder, retired, a teacher, in medicine, in military or policing, or an entrepreneur.

“Whatever their profession may be, Women Empowering Women events are designed for them,” Kelsch added.

Many attendees from last year reported that they had a wonderful time, made new friends, expanded their network and requested specific topics that they would like covered in future events and Kelsch said they met this need at this year's event.

“We have brought in some incredible speakers for this event including industry leaders in business, law, leadership, mental health, politics, finance, and more,” Kelsch said. “It's an exciting line up.”Senior Master Sergeant Suzane Buttery, a graduate of Elk County Christian High School, is the event's keynote speaker focusing on “Rising Through the Ranks: Balancing Family, Career and Achieving Your Goals”. Buttery will share her inspiring story about rising through the ranks of the military while balancing her life as a wife and mother. She will also share lessons which she learned throughout her career which can help women achieve their goals and mission in life.

Among the breakout sessions are: “Building Your Own Personal Brand: Being An Authentic Leader”; “Raise Your Voice: How to Be Heard in the Boardroom and Beyond” hosted by Kane Mayor Brandy Schimp and owner of Moose Ventures LLC; “Power Up Your Finances: Taking Control of Your Financial Future College through Retirement” being offered by Angel Fritz, manager of Northwest Bank; and “Be Who You Are (Not Who the World Tells You to Be): Being Your Authentic Self”, hosted by Rebecca Sorg Dobson, MA, NCC, LPC. These are just a few of the topics which women of the area have asked for. Kelsch said the women know what they want and need and it is up to WEW to try to meet and fulfill these requests as best as they possibly can as that is part of the group's mission.

Tickets for the event are on sale now until midnight on February 18. Tickets are advanced sale only and may be purchased online at womenempoweringwomen.life. Seating is limited. Kelsch added tickets to last year's event sold out quickly.

Kelsch developed the idea for WEW in 2020 when she was serving as president of Elk County Toastmasters. She said when she looked around the area, she saw a need for more community support and encouragement for women in both their professional and personal lives, so she set out to try and fulfill this need by developing WEW. Since that time, Kelsch has establish Women Empowering Women Personal and Professional Development as a 501c(3) non-profit educational organization to benefit area women through education and networking events and through smaller events hosted in the community, such as the Wine and Women Event held at Elk Mountain Winery last September.

While the group does not host weekly or monthly meetings, they host sporadic events throughout the year to help the women that connect at their events to re-connect, and add new connections, throughout the year. The organization also sponsors and donates to other women's events in the community, such as the Purse Bash being held at the St. Marys Moose Lodge in March and other community events as they are able.

For more information about Women Empowering Women “Women on the Rise” Education and Networking event, email info@womenempoweringwomen.life, visit the organization's website at womenempoweringwomen.life, or call 814335-4366. Follow the group on Facebook at womenempoweringwomenppd. Women Empowering Women Personal and Professional Development is a 501(c)3 non-profit education organization.