The Leader’s second annual Celebrating Women event, to be held in March, will be a night of fellowship, fun, laughter and, now, recognition.
Katelyn Mary Skaggs, digital marketing director for the Leader, said a highlight of this year’s event will be the Women of Impact awards.
The Women of Impact awards are intended to honor women who work behind the scenes to make businesses, charitable organizations, schools and other groups function at their best.
“We’re looking to recognize four fabulous women in our community who often go unrecognized,” Skaggs said. “We really want this to be a community-driven award, not just the Leader picking four women, but women in the community picking other women in the community to nominate.”
Area women are invited to nominate an extraordinary local woman who has made a significant impact, especially those whose work tends to go unnoticed. All nominations will be kept on file and considered for up to three years.
“If you know a woman whose leadership, dedication or quiet influence has positively shaped our community, now is the time to shine a light on her contributions. Help us celebrate these deserving women by submitting your nomination,” Skaggs said.
Nominations for the award will begin today, Nov. 21, and close on Jan. 2, and a committee will choose the winners by February.
A link to the online nomination form may be found on the Leader’s website, myleaderpaper.com/celebratingwomen.
This year’s Celebrating Women event will be held from 6-10 p.m. Friday, March 28, at the Oak Valley Golf Course and Resort, 1230 Abbey Lane, in Pevely.
Admission is $40 per person and includes an open bar and a buffet dinner catered by Andre’s Banquet Center.
Tickets will be available starting on Jan. 2 on the Leader website or in person in the Leader office, 503 N. Second St., in Festus.
Space is limited, so advance tickets are recommended. Last year’s event was sold out.
“Last year was our first time having our Celebrating Women event and it was really awesome just to see the community of women come together and celebrate and have a night of fun together,” Skaggs said.
This year’s events will include prize giveaways, games, the award ceremony and more.
The theme for the event is “Hollywood Glam.”
“I encourage all women to rush to their closets and pull out that old floor length gown you never have a reason to wear,” Skaggs said. “Dress in a beautiful outfit that you always feel may be a little too fancy for a casual event.
“Come dressed to the nines in Hollywood glam and have some fun with us.”
The title sponsor for the event is the Twin City Area Optimist Club. Comfort Cabinetry in De Soto is the bar sponsor.
Charity partnership
A charitable group, the Aunt Rose Project, also will be highlighted at the event.
The group provides teenage girls in need with free menstrual products, such as tampons, pads, menstrual cups, period underwear and feminine wash, as well as educational books about puberty and menstruation.
The event will include a 50/50 raffle, with half of the funds going to the Aunt Rose Project.
“We’re excited to partner up with the Aunt Rose Project and hopefully bring more donations their way,” said Skaggs. “So if you’re buying for yourself and feel like you could buy an extra pack or two of something, feel free to do that and drop it off at our office here in Festus.
“We also continue to be a drop-off spot for donations for I Support the Girls, so if you have new or gently used bras or new packages of underwear that you want to drop off, we will separate those things out and make sure they get to the correct places.”
Those who want to donate to the Aunt Rose Project may drop off unopened boxes of feminine care items at the Leader office prior to the event or bring the items with them to the March 28 event.