By Alicia Weaver and Taylor Conroy

As a great way to close out Women’s History Month, this week’s article captures the inspiring highlights and meaningful reflections from the recent Professional Women’s Forum hosted by the Lancaster Chamber. The event featured an empowering keynote, dynamic breakout sessions from local experts, and opportunities for networking and growth. 

A special thank you to our presenting sponsor, Penn Med Lancaster General Health, for their generous support in making this event possible. Attendees also had the chance to explore our Marketplace, connecting with a variety of vendors showcasing products and services designed to support and inspire professional women.

Yesterday, we attended the Lancaster Chamber’s Professional Women’s Forum. It was a day of personal and professional growth, surrounded by inspiring women from all over the county and beyond. 

We found the sessions really valuable and full of practical tips to apply in our own lives, especially “Vision to Victory: Think, Believe, Feel, Achieve” with Deb Ellenberg and “Communicate with Warmth and Power” with Dr. Katie Sandoe. Deb discussed the importance of being aligned and connected with your goals, and how it often requires stepping outside your comfort zone to achieve them.

Katie spoke on the phrase we hear so often as women, “You’re too ___,” whether that is loud or ambitious. She discussed how you can turn that around and own it, making it into your power. I loved her mantra of “Do no harm. Take no crap.” As women, it’s important to support each other, and as Katie said, make the table bigger.

We both agreed the day’s highlight was the inspiring keynote speech from Henna Pryor. We loved the message of embracing the awkward and her SUCK (Small, Uncomfortable, Cringe Chasm, Keep Perspective) acronym. The content of her talk was so applicable to women and the world today and really challenged the way we think about ourselves and our avoidance of any potentially awkward situation. The quote “We let other people’s approval outweigh our opportunities to improve,” is one that I will be repeating over and over to myself whenever self-consciousness (or hazelnut!) is holding me back.

Spending the day with a group of empowered women committed to being open and vulnerable with each other was powerful. We can’t wait for next year!

Check back for the link to a full gallery of the inspirational day!

Learn more about our Women in Business group here!

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