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Since 1995, each presidential administration has issued an annual proclamation designating the month of March as “Women’s History Month.” This year’s theme is “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations,” which highlights the powerful influence of women who have dedicated their lives to education, mentorship and leadership.
The theme particularly focuses on the importance of intergenerational collaboration, encouraging women to learn from each generation’s unique perspectives.
On March 7, the Women’s Business Council of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce celebrated International Women’s Day, a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The event featured a panel of influential women leaders, including Sandra Bieber, Hasanna Birdsong, Nancy Conrad, Dr. Camille Hamilton, Rachel Leon and Carol Obando-Derstine. The panelists shared their inspiring journeys and fascinating insights on forging pathways for women in challenging career fields like law, medicine, government and business.
If you weren’t able to attend that great event, there are still two weeks left in Women’s History Month to participate in the spirit of the month. Educating yourself and others on the importance of women’s contributions is good for business, as women are often the primary decision-makers and influencers in their families and social networks. Here are some ideas for getting involved:
Register for a Women’s Business Council event
Each month, the WBC features thoughtfully curated events on topics for modern professional women. Upcoming events include “Green Goals: Living Lighter on the Planet” on April 22 in Easton, and “Cultivating Joy: Strategies for a Fulfilled Life & Career” on May 15 in Allentown. The largest women’s event of the year in the region is the Lehigh Valley Women’s Summit, which will take place on June 5 in Bethlehem.
Patronize local women-owned businesses
Lehigh Valley Business Journal offers a lengthy list of women-owned businesses in the region, spanning a large number of industries and specialties. Take some time to scroll through the business descriptions and determine if there are any goods and services you might be interested in exploring for your personal and professional needs.
Donate to the Invest in Her fund
The WBC recently launched a new program called the Invest in Her fund, which aims to increase access to WBC events for attendees who might require assistance with registration costs.
Here’s how it works: Supporters can donate any dollar amount to the fund, which is then pooled and distributed to applicants who wish to attend events. Those registration costs are then paid on behalf of the beneficiaries, expanding professional development opportunities for new audiences.
Organize a book club
Partner with your community library and organize a women’s history book club where students read age-appropriate books or articles about influential women. Discussions can center on the challenges these women faced and how they overcame them. Bonus points for purchasing books from a women-owned bookstore like The End Bookstore.
Plan or attend a career panel at work
Many employers host Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) that often include women-specific groups with specialized programming and events. Check your company’s intranet for any events that might already be scheduled, and if you don’t see one on the calendar, consider organizing one yourself. With the right panelists, your attendees could leave the event feeling inspired and impressed by their colleagues.
Familiarize yourself with the impact of women in the region
Discover Lehigh Valley created a well-researched roundup called Historical Women of Lehigh Valley, which highlights both individual influential women and organizations with significant women-led origins. From Moravian College to the YWCA to the Lehigh Valley Rosies of World War II, women have been innovating and building in the Lehigh Valley for generations, contributing to the region’s success today.
Flo Scott is the Chair of the Women’s Business Council for the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce. She is a Communications Director at PNC Bank, and lives in Fogelsville with her husband, three kids, three dogs and six chickens.
