This year, each of us has had to redefine the way we work, play and live. We’ve stretched ourselves to unimaginable limits through unfathomable circumstances. There have been setbacks, uncertainty, confusion and stress. None of us has been unaffected.

But there has also been strength, courage, community and hope.

To align with the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, Maryland had declared 2020 to be the Year of the Woman. In Frederick County, we would like to revise that. For everything we’ve faced and triumphed over, we believe 2020 to be the Year of the Resilient Woman. 

​S.H.E Week 2020 will celebrate this resiliency.
The women in our community have been standing up and standing strong in the face of adversity. It is about the courage to endure your circumstances, to respond with grace, power and grit, to learn from and to lean on your peers.

And it will take resiliency to rebuild ourselves and our community.
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We invite you to join us for a week of programming centered around this concept. We may not be gathering together en masse but we will be gathering together in spirit!

LIVE ONLINE EVENTS

Monday, August 24th
(S)heroes and Stories : Using Your Voice to Change the Narrative and Inspire Others to Action
Time: 7:30am (Virtual Coffee Chat & Welcome from Yumi Hogan, First Lady of Maryland) 
Time: 8:00am - 9:30am (Workshop)

In this engaging and entertaining presentation, Julie will demonstrate why storytelling continues to be one of the most powerful forms of communication. Learn how to create your personal narrative in order to better persuade, inspire, and educate others. You'll come away with useful tips and strategies to help you not only find your own (s)hero, but better share her with the world!

Instructor: Julie Gaver, Owner | Julie Gaver Discovery
Tuesday, August 25th
Life Lessons from Unstoppable Women
Time: 5:00pm – 7:00pm

With honesty, wit and a little bit of sass, this panel of unstoppable women share their life experiences and the lessons they’ve learned along the way. They address challenges from climbing the career ladder and finding inner fulfilment, to forging authentic relationships and overcoming life's setbacks. Each of these impressive professionals has a tale to tell and an experience to share. Empowering, engaging and unapologetically impassioned, their incisive observations will make you think, reflect - and motivate you to tackle whatever life sends your way!  This session will include time for a Q& A afterwards.

Guests:
  • Crystal Maguire | Winsupply of Frederick
  • Dr. Denise Rollins | Whole Heart Grief & Life Resource Center
  • Jessica Underwood | JR Capital Build 
  • Dr. Andrea Chapdelaine | Hood College
 
Moderator:
  • Amber Smith | Frederick Lifestyle Magazine​​​ | S.H.E. Week Committee Member
Wednesday, August 26th
Women’s Equality Day: Reflecting on the 100th Anniversary of Women’s Right to Vote and Discussing the Mountains Left to Climb
 Time: 4:30pm-5:30pm 
 
2020 marks the 100-year anniversary of the 19th Amendment which granted women the constitutional right to vote. Trailblazing women have held government positions at the local, state, and national level; however, women still only make up 25% or less of the U.S. Senate and the House, and those numbers are even lower for women of color.
 
This lively panel will cover the past, present, and future of women's role in politics, and also discuss the importance of local participation. Even if you never plan to run for office, everyone will leave this event with ideas for how to get involved, from big to small.

Guests:
  • Dr. Stephanie Slocum-Schaffer | Political Science & Gender Studies Professor at Shepherd  University
  • Betty Mayfield | League of Women Voters Frederick Chapter
  • Carole Jaar Sepe | Maryland Commission for Women
  • Pauline Sow | Student Government Association at University of Maryland, College Park

Moderator:
Rachael Pashkevich Koontz | Thermo Fisher Scientific | Women in Business Co-Chair
Thursday, August 27th 
Women of Color: Stories of Resilience 
Time: 11:00am – 1:00pm 
 
As part of our focus on equality during S.H.E. Week we bring you a special educational opportunity. Moderated by April Lee, this panel discussion engages three women, Dr. C. Yvonne Smith, Piper Crawford and Sue Hough, each of whom will share their personal stories and struggles as a woman of color in the business world. Each has their own unique tale of bravery, vulnerability and resilience and that will challenge, educate and inspire you through their words. This session will include time for a Q& A afterwards.
 
Guests:
  • Dr. C. Yvonne Smith | Wake Integrated Psychological Services
  • Piper Crawford | JKW Beauty Boutique
  • Sue Hough | Octavo Designs | Women in Business Committee Member
 
Moderator:
​April Lee | Lee Building Maintenance
Friday, August 28th 
Next Steps: Develop a PR Roadmap to Expand Your Reach
Time: 8:30am - 9:30am

Your challenges and setbacks are not mistakes — they are part of your story! Through sharing your stories of resilience, you can inspire and motivate others. So how do you get yourself out there? In this talk, PR & Marketing Expert Sandy Dubay Sponaugle will provide PR tips to help both individuals and businesses  find their message, audience and platforms… so they can create an exciting next chapter!  This session will include time for a Q& A afterwards.
Instructor: Sandy Dubay Sponaugle, CEO/Founder  | Platinum PR

VIP Happy Hour Wrap Up
Time: 4:00pm - 5:30pm
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This exclusive networking celebration event is available only to our VIP ticket holders, sponsors and speakers. We’ll wrap up the week with opportunities to mingle as well as discuss key lessons and take-aways from our sessions. (Not to mention play a few games and win prizes!)

PRE-RECORDED EVENTS

 Taking the Leap: Steps for Launching Your Own Business 

Hear from Amanda Haddaway, local business owner and human resources expert, about her entrepreneurial journey and some steps you can take if you’re thinking about leaping into building a small business. During the session, you’ll learn about:
  • The state of women-owned businesses in the U.S. right now, and
  • The SNAPS method with actionable steps you can take now prior to launch and once you’re up and running.

 Instructor: Amanda Haddaway | HR Answerbox

Nourishing Roots for Resiliency

In nature, trees develop deeper and stronger roots from the wind (resistance).  Like the trees, the struggles and resistance we experience in life make us stronger and more resilient.  We can nourish and support our resiliency by implementing simple techniques and tools that help support healing, growth, sustaining a healthy body and mind. Using a “wholistic” approach (mind, body, spirit and heart), Holistic Health Coach Kim Wilson will share tools and tips for getting back to the roots of a healthy lifestyle for improved health and wellbeing while supporting your own beautiful bio-individuality.
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Instructor: Kim Wilson | Farm Girl Fuel | S.H.E. Week Committee Member

Power in the Pivot
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In this presentation, we’ll cover how you can go from exhausted, anxious, and consumed by fear to having a peaceful and thriving life and business by pivoting and taking your powerback. You'll learn how to reclaim four key areas of your life including your voice, your energy, your finances, and your business. 

Instructor: Laura Wallace | Worx Graphic Design ​

EXCLUSIVE FACEBOOK GROUP

We've packed a huge amount of content into S.H.E. Week 2020 and we're so thrilled you're considering joining us! 
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We recognize that many of you are busy professionals who have many demands on their time and that's exactly why we've created an exclusive Facebook group for attendees who select the VIP or Regular Access bundles!

In this group you'll have access to:
  • exclusive recorded session trainings
  • recordings of live session trainings
  • bonus video interviews on key topics

You'll also get a chance to interact with and learn from other participants, panelists and sponsors!

SHE WEEK T-SHIRTS NOW AVAILABLE!

Want to declare you own personal Strength, Heart and Equality? Order a S.H.E. Week T-shirt! Click on the information below the image to place your order. 

S.H.E. WEEK COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Chenee Beach | Co-Chair
Cynthia Richards | Co-Chair
Dory Schoeck | Co-Chair
Rachael Pashkevich | WIB Co-Chair
Ashley Warthen | WIB Co-Chair
​Jennifer Gerlock | Chamber Staff
Kaitlyn Walsh | Chamber  Staff
Shelley Aloi 
Terri Davis
Anne Scholl-Fiedler 
Lynn Forney
Jane Helm 
​Heather Houck
Kristin Kaineg 



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​Melissa (Mjach) Lentz
​Debby Neely 
Angela M. Simmons 
Amber Smith
Kim Wilson

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UPCOMING EVENTS

NEW MEMBERS
Copyright Frederick County Chamber of Commerce.  All Rights Reserved.
118 North Market Street, Suite 200, Frederick, MD  21701
info@frederickchamber.org | Phone: (301) 662-4164
Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm