By Dawn Scotland
The Truth Reporter
On Wednesday, August 26 the Women of Toledo hosted a “Celebrating the Power of the Woman” Panel at The Mez on Women’s Equality Day from 5- 7:30 p.m. The event featured food, refreshments, networking and a panel discussing women’s issues.
The event explored the intricate web in which gender roles and policies affect women’s personal, professional and political lives via a panel moderated by Malaika Bell, founder and lead facilitator of Mosaic Strategic Solutions, LLC. Panelists included:
- Suzette Cowell, ThD: Founder, CEO, and Treasurer of Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union, Cowell’s leadership in community banking offered a unique perspective on women’s economic advancement and access to financial resources in their workplace and in the marketplace.
- Brittany Jones, PhD: Councilwoman At-Large for the City of Toledo, Jones spoke to the political dimension of women’s equality–from representation in elected office to the policies that shape everyday life for women and families across the region now and in the future.
- Ashley Bush, MSW, LISW-S, PMH-C: Owner and Executive Director of Bloom Women’s Counseling, Consulting, and Wellness, LLC, Bush joined the conversation in the personal and mental health aspects of equality, drawing on her clinical background in perinatal mental health and women’s wellness.
- Angie Fitzpatrick, PhD: Leadership and Workplace Culture Strategist at Angie Fitzpatrick Consulting, LLC, Dr. Fitzpatrick guided the panel discussion, drawing on her expertise in leadership coaching and workplace culture to help unpack how gender roles and policy show up in professional life.
Program partners for the event were TARTA, The City of Toledo, YWCA of NWO, The Toledo Chapter of The Links Inc., Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union, Bloom Women’s Counseling, Consulting and Wellness, LLC. and the League of Women Voters.
Venue and catering partners were The Mez, Cookie Cuterie, Bite Events and Catering and The Cocktail Collective.
Established in 2014, Inclusive for Women Inc., Women of Toledo is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization serving northwest Ohio and the greater Toledo area. Women of Toledo is dedicated to educating, engaging, and empowering women across the community through impactful programming, genuine advocacy, and authentic connection. The organization offers programs and services that help tackle issues critical to women’s economic advancement and help women interrupt various biases in the marketplace, workplace, family, and community through the gift of education and empowerment. For more information visit www.womenoftoledo.org.