Sometimes One Moment Can Change What We Believe Is Possible
By Angie Matthiessen, Chief Executive Officer
There are moments in a woman's life when she realizes she is capable of more than she thought.
Sometimes they are big and unmistakable. Other times, they happen quietly. We speak up when we normally would have stayed silent. We walk into a room where we don't know anyone. We try something that scares us. We decide for ourselves without waiting for someone else's approval. Or we recognize that an experience we once viewed as a setback helped shape who we have become.
Empowerment can be difficult to define because it doesn't look the same for everyone.
And maybe that's exactly the point.
On September 9, Women United will host the second annual Empower Her, bringing women together for an evening centered on connection, conversation and discovering our own strength.
Our theme is The Power to Be YOU: Find Your Adventure → Set Yourself Free → Bee Empowered. Three women will share very different perspectives on what it means to choose yourself and step more fully into who you are.
Jennifer will explore “Adventure Awaits: The Joy of Choosing You,” sharing what can happen when we step beyond what feels familiar and discover the confidence that comes from venturing out on our own.
I will share part of my own journey in “Set Yourself Free: The Power of Letting Go.” For me, freedom has meant learning the difference between taking ownership of my life and trying to control everything around me. It has meant owning my story, my path and my health—and learning that sometimes the greatest freedom comes from letting go of what I cannot control.
And Claire and Emily will bring us into the world of beekeeping with “Bee Empowered: Find Your Hive, Know Your Worth.” Their story offers a unique perspective on confidence, community and understanding our place within something bigger than ourselves.
Somewhere among these stories may be one idea that arrives at exactly the right time for someone in the room.
That is what I'm looking forward to most.
Women don't need another checklist for becoming stronger, more confident or more successful. Sometimes we simply need to hear from someone whose life looks different from ours and recognize a small piece of ourselves in her story.
A conversation can become a connection, and a connection can sometimes open a door.
That spirit is at the heart of Women United and our work at United Way Charlotte County. Building a stronger community isn't something one person or organization accomplishes alone. It happens through relationships—people bringing their experiences, talents, ideas and resources together and discovering what is possible when we are connected.
Empower Her is an extension of that belief.
Every one of us has experiences that have shaped who we are, and there is value in allowing others to see beyond our titles and roles.
September 9 isn't about leaving as a completely different woman.
It's about leaving with a new connection. A different perspective. A little more courage. An idea you hadn't considered. A reminder of something you've forgotten about yourself. Or simply the reassurance that there are women in this community still learning, growing and figuring things out right alongside you.
You don't have to arrive feeling empowered.
Just come curious about what might happen when you put yourself in the room.
To register for Empower Her, please visit unitedwayccfl.org/empowerment.
For more information about United Way Charlotte County's mission, Mobilizing the power of our community so all can thrive, please contact Angie Matthiessen, Chief Executive Officer, at director@unitedwayccfl.org.