Women in Business gather for inaugural Empowerment Day

Gathering women in the community together and giving them tools to empower was on the agenda at Desert Blume Friday afternoon.

The local Women in Business committee held its first ever Empowerment Day, bringing together approximately 80 women to connect and develop their skills on Friday.

“Today is all about empowerment,” said chair Trish O’Grady. “We are providing an opportunity to all women in the community of Medicine Hat to come out, to connect and share their stories,”.

The centrepiece of the event was a professional development workshop led by Peggy Gizen, a local facilitator and consultant, about empowerment and self-reflection, helping women identify their strengths and weaknesses when it comes to business and being an entrepreneur. “We’re looking at getting in the driver’s seat, taking control of your business, working as teams, knowing differences and then some strategies,” she said.

For both O’Grady and Gizen, the event is beneficial for women, especially those in the entrepreneurial sector.

“One of the things that women have done lately is been more entrepreneurial, they’re stepping ahead, they’re definitely making business grow and succeed,” said Gizen.

“I think it is a great opportunity to promote positivity, to promote and stimulate the economy of Medicine Hat, to just bring women together and have fun,” said O’Grady.

Gizen adds she believes the number of women in business and prominent positions in Medicine Hat will continue to grow over the years.

“We’re seeing more women on council, we’re seeing more women in different positions,” she said.

“The biggest thing is when you’re young and you’re a little girl and someone calls you bossy, they should maybe call it leadership skills.”

View article: http://medicinehatnews.com/news/local-news/2015/01/24/women-in-business-gather-for-inaugural-empowerment-day/

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