Issue link: https://takingitglobal.uberflip.com/i/1477966
40 # R I S I N G Y O U T H C O M M U N I T Y I M P A C T V O L . 2 J ulia Buckley wanted to spark a conversation about women's empowerment in her community at St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. She brainstormed a number of ideas before deciding on "Empower Hours", an event showcasing how important it is to have women in powerful positions with equal opportunities in the workplace. "I picked this name because I wanted people to leave the event feeling more empowered than when they arrived," she explained. I wanted to ensure that everyone was invited to be a part of this conversation which is why the event was open to all genders and all ages. I believe that everyone needs to be included in this conversation if we want to empower women to use their voices, and we want others to be willing to listen. Taking place at the local farmer's market, the event was hosted by Danielle Arbour, a parasport athlete, with keynote speakers Heidi Dowden, owner of The Arch Method, who spoke about confidence and how she uses dance to empower others, and Olivia Chafe-Guest, owner of Ukiyo Salon spoke about following your dreams and motherhood. Beyond talks, there were also interactive elements including a reflective activity about the importance of self-talk led by I love me campaign NL, as well as a dance class led by Lindsey Hynes, the owner of Get Your Freak on Fitness. The event also featured a marketplace full of female-founded businesses that brought awareness to a multitude of Uplifting Women's Voices through Empower Hours Julia Buckley I wanted to reach different people in different ways and show that empowerment is not limited... different services within the community that were primarily women-focused and women-led. "I wanted to reach different people in different ways and show that empowerment is not limited," shares Julia. "People have different backgrounds, interests, and goals. Some may feel empowered by hearing another person's story, while others may feel empowered by dancing and moving their bodies. I also wanted to empower people through bringing awareness to services available to them within their own communities." A special thank you to Go Getters for sharing the #RisingYouth grant opportunity with Julia to make this project possible.