When we elevate each other, we can go further. When we support each other, we can move mountains. When we celebrate each other, we can create a world of possibilities. This is the power of community – and it’s what happens when we come together to empower women.
By empowering women, we are transforming our communities. When women have the opportunity to pursue their dreams and be supported in their efforts, they become agents of change and catalysts of progress. Women create positive ripple effects in our communities – from improved physical health, to increased economic security, to more resilient family structures. When we empower women in these ways, we are transforming our lives and the communities around us.
This year, in addition to #Empower2023, our virtual half-day conference for nonprofits and charities, we wanted to create even more impact in our larger communities. So, ProServeIT decided to take on a new initiative that is entirely focused on empowering women.
#EmpowerWomen: Clothing Drive 2023
On March 29th, 2023, ProServeIT and Microsoft brought our broader communities together in celebration of women’s history month. We co-hosted a clothing drive event to support the nonprofit organization, Dress for Success. Together we collected clothing items such as blazers, blouses, dress pants, suits, purses and so on to donate to Dress for Success, which helps empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire, and development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.
It was an uplifting, heartwarming day that demonstrated the power of community. We invited our employees, customers, and a few high school students to have in-depth discussions about the key theme: Elevate - when we elevate each other, we can go further.
There were inspiring speakers from all walks of life, with diverse backgrounds and experiences, who shared their unique, impactful, and unpredictable career journeys. Several of our employees were part of the incredible panel of women that discussed topics such as:
Elevate: What did elevating others look like for you? Who are you elevating? How has someone elevated you?
Balance: Finding the time to be amazing mothers, spouses, sisters, friends, academics, whilst engaging in the joys of life too. What does balancing life outside of work look like for you?
Imposter Syndrome: When you feel imposter syndrome, what do you do to ground yourself?
Next Generations of Women: There are many women before us in tech that have helped pave the way for where we are now – how are we helping the next generations of women move forward?
Hosting a clothing drive, inviting speakers from different stages of their career journey, and having meaningful discussions wasn’t all – we also carefully curated a thoughtful gift bag for the event attendees, filled with items from women-led organizations which included: a petals & patchouli soap from The Yukon Soap Company, dentos – eco toothpaste tabs from Superbee, and a probiotic sparkling water from Geez Louise. Do you have any favourite female owned businesses that you’d like to share? Feel free to leave them down in the comments below.
Reflections on Empowering Women: building a culture of support
As I think back to the day of the event, I’m reminded that no matter what action a person takes – big or small – it will make an impact, but there’s still more to do. We live in a world with over 8 billion people, and although it may feel like we’re a small drop in the ocean, it’s still important for us to strive for more and to continue taking steps in the right direction. Remember that one person can only do so much…imagine what two, ten, a hundred or a thousand people can do together.
I’m humbled to say that I was heavily involved with the #EmpowerWomen event. From the beginning stages of planning to the day of, I watched it come to life – and what a meaningful moment it was. As I sat back and looked around the room, I felt an incredible feeling of solidarity. I had no idea how much impact this event may have on our communities, but it certainly made me aware that we should be focusing more on empowering and elevating each other and the women around us.
Being in the beginning stages of my career, this event was inspiring for my own growth and development. For me, what I’ve learned is the importance of recognizing the value of people’s unique talents and qualities. By appreciating and celebrating each other’s successes, we can build a culture of support and encouragement that enables everyone to strive for greater heights and reach those goals and aspirations that we all have.
I’m very fortunate to have been given the opportunity to share my story and experiences on the panel that day, and it's a starting moment of my career that I won’t forget. I was nervous to be on stage but being up there with strong experienced women leaders by my side was empowering. Hearing their stories empowered me to be more confident in sharing mine. And that was the best part of it all, knowing that my story inspired someone else and yours can too!
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If we continue to focus on empowering and elevating each other, we can create a safe space for everyone to share their stories and experiences. We’ll be able to build a community of support that will help us continue pushing the boundaries of possibility for future generations of women.
I want to leave you with this thought: regardless of what stage you are in on your career journey or in life in general, you can always elevate others. Whether it’s in the workplace, at home, or within your community – be intentional in connecting with and inspiring other people. One simple act of kindness can make someone’s day brighter and help shape the next generation of women. We all have something valuable to share - our stories, dreams, and aspirations - and together we can create a more inclusive world for all.
Keep promoting positivity, kindness, and empathy towards each other because after all that’s where it all truly begins.
