Women’s Empowerment Luncheon celebrates their 20th anniversary

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — The Columbus Convention and Trade center hosted the 20th Anniversary of the Women’s Empowerment Luncheon.

The Women’s Empowerment Luncheon is an event dedicated to honoring and empowering women. The Luncheon consisted of women of all ages, experiences, and backgrounds. The luncheon has been hosted at the Columbus Convention and Trade Center for the last nine years and usually includes honorable faces.

This year, Columbus and Phenix City Mayor’s wives were in attendance. As well as having a well-known actress as the keynote speaker. The keynote speaker this year was well known actress Vanessa Bell Calloway. Calloway is an actress that has starred in notable movies like Coming to America with Eddie Murphy and What’s Love got to do with it.

As the keynote speaker, Calloway shared her advice on success that deeply resonated with a senior from Central High School, Genesis Heard. This was Heard’s first year attending the luncheon.

Heard said that Calloway’s advice about “staying ready, so you don’t have to get ready” is the thing she took away from Calloway’s speech. Heard added that while she pursues her career as a nurse, she will be intentional in her studying as a way to stay ready.

Janet Blessy has attended the luncheon for the last nine years since the event came back to Columbus. Blessy told WRBL that she was most excited about the financial seminar with Marsha Barnes.

Blessy said, “They always give us some nuggets that we haven’t thought about and I find myself jotting down some nuggets for the year to come.”

The luncheon included a chance for attendees to win prizes, a tribute to Tina Turner, a performance from gospel grammy award winner Dorinda Clark – Cole and prayer.

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