EmpowerHER is Friends In Deed’s annual fundraising event highlighting the work of The Women’s Room, and each March, it brings the community together in honor of Women’s History Month. This year’s EmpowerHER gathering felt different from the moment it began. In the past, the series spanned multiple events. This year, it was distilled into a single evening that was more intimate, more focused, and far more powerful.
At the heart of the evening were the women of The Women’s Room.
Rather than speaking about empowerment in the abstract, the event created space for it to be witnessed in real time. Two profoundly brave guests from The Women’s Room stood before the room and shared their stories in their own words. As Jane, TWR Case Manager, reflected, there is something transformative that happens when “empowering her” becomes more than a phrase. Women begin to step into possibilities they may never have imagined for themselves.
Cristian, one of our TWR guests, was initially uncomfortable with the idea of being in the spotlight that evening. But a sense that her story could serve a greater purpose compelled her forward. She has since shared her story publicly again on Rabbi Joshua’s monthly podcast. Cristian is discovering that her voice has the power to uplift herself and other women walking similar paths.
Lindsey, Director of The Women’s Room, said, “The EmpowerHer event was particularly touching this year because of the powerful representation in the room. From our Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who advocates for programs like ours in her daily work, to the entire TWR staff that works tirelessly each day to make this program possible, to new visitors (who have since become volunteers!), to our guests who stepped out of their comfort zone to speak, I looked around the room and saw nothing but inspiring and powerful women. It was touching to me to have so many show up and believe in the importance of what we do.”
But the impact of the evening wasn’t confined to the stories told on stage. It was present in the quieter moments, too. Like the weeks of preparation leading up to the event, and in the pride that radiated from the women as they arrived dressed in their best. One guest captured the feeling perfectly: “We feel like celebrities tonight,” she said, followed by a joyful, unrestrained laugh.
Empowerment is not a single moment, but a process. When women are given space, support, and dignity, they begin to rediscover their voices and then use them.
And we hope this year’s event sparked something that continues to unfold long after the room emptied.