More than 80 students from Barrow County School System (BCSS) high schools learned from local women in business and industry during the “She Inspires” event at Lanier Technical College on Nov. 3. The goal of the event was to empower girls for success. Speakers used their time to share about career options and inspire confidence and ambition.
The Barrow Chamber of Commerce Women in Business and Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) Barrow organized "She Inspires" with the help of BCSS Work-Based Learning Coordinators Tywanda Jackson and Miranda Deaton, and Christine Greeson with the Chamber. Women in Business Chair and NGMC Barrow Public Relations Manager Sunita Singh had the vision for the event. She says, “By bringing panel of professional women from diverse backgrounds together, we hope to empower the students to broaden their horizons, make informed decisions and enable them to pursue their goals with greater determination.”
Students said they enjoyed the event and appreciated learning more about careers they were considering.
The panel of speakers included:
- Lieutenant Faye Spalding - Special Investigation, Barrow County Sheriff’s Office
- Lieutenant Jennifer Howell - Crime Scene Technician, Barrow County Sheriff’s Office
- Lisa Jackson, Assistant Vice President and Financial Sales Manager, First Citizens Bank
- Linda Blechinger - Mayor, City of Auburn
- Yolanda Oakley - Director of Emergency Services and Inpatient Care, NGMC Barrow
- Richelle Francis - Director of Catering and Events, Chateau Elan Winery and Resort
- Amy Poole - Workforce Development, Northeast Georgia Health System
- Robin Martinelli - Owner, Martinelli Investigations
- Morgan Ervin - Journalist and Editor, Main Street News/Barrow News Journal
- Katie Strickland - Communications Director, City of Winder
- Emily Chang - Owner, Birch Salon Co.
Organizers say they hope to continue the event next year. We are grateful to District Partner in Education Northeast Georgia Medical Center Barrow for their role in making it happen.