Forest Park is gearing up to pay tribute to the accomplishments of women spanning sectors in honor of International Women’s Day while serving as a fundraiser for Sarah’s Inn. 

Scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday at Foundtry/FP, “Celebrate Women Leaders in Forest Park” is an evening dedicated to honoring female trailblazers in business, not-for-profit organizations, and public service. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with influential female leaders while enjoying a selection of food and beverages courtesy of Zesty Catering.

The committee comprises several notable individuals from Forest Park, including  Forest Park commissioner Michelle Melin-Rogovin, and Historical Society of Forest Park Executive Director Alexis Ellers. Joining them, too, are Angela Hart, the proprietor of Let’s Play Work, Rachell Entler, who serves as village administrator, and Monique Cotton Yancy, a member of the FPS91 School board.

Additionally, the committee includes Kate Webster, a consultant specializing in culture change, Esthela Gonzalez, the manager at Shanahan’s, and Michelle Woehrle, President of 209 Scholarship. Lauren Burjan is a real estate broker for @properties, while Dr. Elizabeth Alvarez holds the position of Superintendent at FPSD91. Forest Park based chef Ashley Simone is also a member of the committee.

The event, according to Hart, is  a no-pressure environment where you can mingle with people without feeling overwhelmed by business talk

“I am a new business owner; I have only been open for a year. Meeting people, providing emotional support, and sharing knowledge are essential aspects of our journey, and I have extended these efforts to others, fostering a network that continues to grow,” she said. 

According to Melin-Rogovin, this event welcomes all participants and emphasizes interactions and discussions among attendees, which differs from many other events where speeches dominate. It offers a relaxed atmosphere specifically geared towards engaging in conversations and building connections.

A suggested $25 donation is part of the event for the fundraiser for Sarah’s Inn. Melin-Rogovin states the sponsorships for the are cover the cost of the event and direct ticket prices cover the cost for the donations to Sarah’s inn.

“I think everyone appreciates Sarah’s Inn mission and the fact they are a local Forest Park business and people know who they are and they do good work for our community,”Hart said.

Living Fresh Market in Forest Park is offering an gift basket giveaway worth $250. Everyone will have the chance to place their ticket in a bowl and someone will have the opportunity to win that prize.

When asked how do you envision the impact of this event extending beyond just International Women’s Day and continuing to support and empower women in the community, Melin-Rogovin responded with having the ability to identify women led businesses and organizations in Forest Park. 

“One idea is to identify women-led businesses and organizations in Forest Park by making window clings available for placement on the door of each business that are on the chamber list and providing training for delivering a pitch would be helpful. Collaborating with existing organizations to facilitate some of these activities and enhance communication skills would also be beneficial,” Melin-Rogovin said.

Celebrate Women Leaders in Forest Park serves as an opportunity to gather the leading voices in the community, who are women, together in one space. Melin-Rogovin said that there are very few opportunities to do this because the women in the community who are making things happen are so busy and there is often not enough time to say hello and meet each other.

“Everyone can celebrate women leaders. Last year, we had about 50 people attend, and this event has already sparked a lot of interest and excitement. We expect it to be bigger and better this year, fostering connections with businesses that will persist throughout the year,” Melin-Rogovin said. 

For more information and to donate, visit the event’s page: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/celebrate-women-leaders-in-forest-park-tickets-781000883667