By LISA MACNEIL
Empowering Women Leaders will be hosting an event on October 23, 2021, at the Welcome Om Center, 4242 Lake In The Woods Drive in Spring Hill.
The $50 event includes tea, coffee, and brunch. Hosted by Empowering Women Leaders, a Political Action Committee (PAC), the event hopes to establish an ongoing touchpoint for local women who strive to work in civil or political leadership. This non-partisan event is aimed at those who desire to participate in learning skills that will bolster leadership. The non-exclusive group welcomes men and women of any political party.
April Johnson-Spence spoke to The Hernando Sun about the four scheduled speakers for this week’s event. Keynote speaker Stephanie Davis is a veteran, business owner, teacher, and advocate for equality. Second is Hernando County’s first female County Commissioner. “We were lucky to get Ms. June Esther, who is going to speak about her experiences from 1988,” Spence said.
Natalie Kahler, former Mayor, Brooksville City Council Member, and current Executive Director of Brooksville Main Street, and Charlotte Edwards, a John Maxwell trainer and life coach join the panel of distinguished speakers.
Spence explained the impetus for organizing the event, “There were a bunch of us women that are leaders in the community that got together and said, ‘We don’t really have anything for women to get them excited about being involved in their community. So we’re hoping that this event- we can kind of create that supportive group of women.”
Spence said that since 2008, Hernando County has had 3 women and 17 men serving on the County Commission, even though there are roughly 10,000 more female voters than there is males. “Some think it’s because we don’t have that supportive environment for women.”
The group is nonpartisan. “Because women of all backgrounds are going to be running for office and wanting to be leaders in some way in our community and how can we support them? Not just because they’re women, but based on them having the skill set to lead our community.”
The event is sponsored by several local businesses. All proceeds benefit Empowering Women Leaders, a Political Action Committee (PAC). For tickets, call 352-585-0017 or email [email protected].
