(July 2012)--Mrs. Maine Corporate America 2012 and Mrs. Aroostook County 2012 Shawn Cunningham launched the first ever County Women Working & Winning Networking Event at Wintergreen Arts Center in Presque Isle.
What a rousing success this event was with nearly forty women from all walks of life and careers turned out to the cultural center for brunch, and exchange of ideas, personal motivation and upliftment and networking. The event was sponsored by Momentum Aroostook, a civic organization of young professionals on the move to give back to the county community and featured Dress for Success Executive Director Kimberly Allen. And a huge thanks to my sister Momentum SC Committeemember Rachel Graves for co-hosting this event with me that day. She's the gorgeous gal in the hot pink dress. YOU GO GIRL!!!!
This was the first time Allen ventured to the county and what a warm reception she got...not just from the July heat but the hearts of women wanting to get involved with this dynamic organization that empowers women throughout the state with career and life skills and enhancing professional image.
"This successful event started like everything else with an idea and a laid back conversation amongst women" says Shawn. "I asked some of my successful gals pals what would they think about having this event, and would they come...is this needed? And they answered with a resounding YES!!!!, The next thing was to put a committee together and get it moving." Shawn, who is a steering committee member of Momentum Aroostook brought suggested the event idea to the entire board and not only were they supportive, they excitedly formed a committee. This was all made possible thanks to the incredible teamwork of committee members Rachel Rice, Rachel Graves, Kelly Gumprecht and Reegan Brown. The event also featured "swag bags" of great gifts and gift certificates from two local businesses Wilder's Jewelry and Merchants on the Corner both located in beautiful downtown Presque Isle. Allen, herself, also gave away goodies...beautiful African bead necklaces from Beaded for Life. To complete the bag, we had delicious chocolates. What girl doesn't want chocolate?
The delicious food was catered by local chef extraordinaire Gretchen Violette who works put of Wintergreen.
There were women wanting to start their own businesses, move in their companies, or launch their own nonprofits who attended. There were also women wanting to go back to school, women students and wanting to absorb more from the classroom of life who came.
The event got so much feedback and was also featured on local WAGM-TV. A BIG THANK YOU to Laura Thomas, Randi Nissenbaum and especially Katie Zarrilli for reporting on this story, the coverage is deeply appreciated. Please check out the story via the link below.
http://wagmtv.com/news/county-women-working-and-winning
Some of the businesses and organizations that were represented by women in attendance included: The Central Aroostook Area Chamber of Commerce, Women Work & Community, Social ENVY PR and Event Planning Company, The University of Maine at Presque Isle, WAGM-TV, The Presque Isle Career Center, MMG Insurance Company, Remembering4U, Knot II Bragg Farms, The Seamstress by Terry Burtchell and so many more. Thank you to everyone who came. Kim, thank you SO MUCH for making the trip up to the county. I hope you had a great time and made some great county connections. Can't wait too have things started to DRESS FOR SUCCESS every woman in need from this area. And I'm thrilled to have made such a dynamic new friend. BIG THANKS to Wendy Gilman Zubrick for allowing us to use the beautiful Wintergreen Arts Center space for this event, again thanks to Gretchen Violette for the food. I so appreciate it and we have to keep this going. By empowering women, we empower ourselves. This was a good draw. Women are still asking when they can attend the next event, which will probably be held next spring or summer 2013.
Don't forget to check out my official facebook page for more updates and pictures.
Here's the link:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shawn-Cunningham-for-Mrs-Corporate-America/266720333396374?ref=hl
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