March is Women’s History Month — an important reminder to honor the trailblazers who came before us and celebrate women who are leading the way today. Take the opportunity to gather, whether it’s to tackle tough issues in our community, empower one another to keep crushing it, or to treat yourself and your favorite ladies because you deserve it. Here are some ways to support, connect with, and learn from other women in Memphis this month.
- Southern Women’s Show
Friday, March 1, 10 AM – 8 PM
Saturday, March 2, 10 AM – 7 PM
Sunday, March 3, 11 AM – 5 PM
The Southern Women’s Show presents a weekend full of fashion, food, health, beauty and fun at the Agricenter. Discover hundreds of boutiques filled with the latest fashions, trendy jewelry, gourmet treats, health and beauty, and more. Enjoy fashion shows, top chefs, and celebrity guests. Gather your favorite ladies in your life and stop by for Girls Night Out on Friday, Mother-Daughter Day on Saturday, or Teachers Day on Sunday. Advance tickets are $10 each, and $12 at the door. Get tickets here.
- Women United Reception + Community Impact Town Hall
Wednesday, March 6, 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Women United is a new leadership group of United Way of the Mid-South that’s committed to helping low-income women and their families move out of poverty. Through giving, volunteering, advocating and networking, they advance United Way’s mission to break the cycle of generational poverty and create meaningful change throughout the Mid-South. They’re hosting a reception before the next UWMS Community Impact Town Hall which will feature national founder of Transition to Success and author of Diagnosis: Poverty Dr. Marcella Wilson. Learn more about Women United here, and register for the free town hall event here.
- Sweet Talk: International Women’s Day Panel
Friday, March 8, 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
As part of his grand re-opening festivities, Chef Phillip Ashley Rix is hosting the first of a new event series called Sweet Talk. The first edition of Sweet Talk coincides with International Women’s Day and features a panel of “dynamic women entrepreneurs who excel in the areas of women’s health, technology, economic development, law, and fashion design.” Go hear their stories, network, and shop an exclusive Benanate pop-up while getting a first look at Phillip Ashley Chocolates’ new digs. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased here.
- The #HERoineLegacy Honors Brunch and Magazine Reveal
March 9, 10:00AM – Noon
TJ Jefferson founded HERoineLegacy Magazine in 2016 in honor of Women’s History Month. Instead of focusing solely on the African-American icons who’ve paved the way, she wanted to also “tell the stories of everyday women of who have taken advantage of the opportunities fought by our foremothers, no matter how big or small.” The 4th Annual HERoineLegacy Honors Brunch and Magazine Reveal will give you a look at the next issue of the magazine and highlight the stories of seven dynamic women in Memphis. 2019 Honorees include Latricea Adams, Quavisa Henderson, Melody Hubbard Robinson, Danielle Inez, Laquita Jones, Shahidah Jones, and Cristina McCarter. Tickets are $28 and can be purchased here.
- The Women of Memphis Music
Friday, March 15, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Join the Stax Museum of American Soul Music for a special discussion delving into the state of the music industry, with an emphasis on the women of soul in Memphis— see how far they’ve come, where they are, and what they need to do to keep pushing forward.
Featuring:
Joyce Cobb, Former Stax Recording Artist, Teacher and Jazz Performer
Tonya Dyson, Executive Director- Memphis Slim Collaboratory, Music Aficionado and Advocate
Brenae Johnson Stax Music Academy Alumna
Moderated by Elle Perry, Reporter for Daily Memphian.
Admission is free and light refreshments will be provided. Get more info here.
- The University of Memphis P.A.U.S.E. Women’s Conference: Grit, Grace, Glow
Saturday, March 16, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Join P.A.U.S.E. —the Professional, Assertive, United Sisters of Excellence— for their Women’s Conference: Grit, Grace, Glow taking place in the University of Memphis UC Ballroom. Renowned poet, writer, activist, and educator Nikki Giovanni is the keynote speaker. The conference will also feature workshops with Memphis leaders and lunch will be provided. Admission is free and the event is open to the public. Register here.
- In This Place Speaker Series: Dangerous Women
Monday, March 18, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Shelby County Commissioner and City of Memphis mayoral candidate Tami Sawyer will facilitate a discussion on gender empowerment with a panel of strong women who have played a vital role in shaping the Memphis community, including:
- Anasa Troutman, Executive Director at Clayborn Temple
- Jasmine Tasaki, Executive Director at WeCareTN
- Terri Freeman, Executive Director at National Civil Rights Museum
- Erica Perry, Partnership Director at Law For Black Lives
- Aimee Lewis, Vice President of External Affairs at Planned Parenthood of Tennessee and North Mississippi
- Zoe Tripp, student at Middle College High School
- Andrea Morales, photojournalist
- Lori Spicer-Robertson, Chief Communications and Engagement Officer at United Way of the Mid-South.
The event is free and open to the public. Get details and learn more about the Clayborn Temple’s In This Place Speaker Series here.
- YWCA Greater Memphis 22nd Annual Benefit Luncheon
Wednesday, March 20, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Submitted by Pamela W. Kelly Esq: The luncheon will be held at The Holiday Inn on the campus of The University of Memphis. All proceeds from the luncheon will be used for the YWCA’s 24/7 domestic violence shelter for families–the only one in Memphis. The keynote speaker is Beverly Robertson, interim President & CEO of the Greater Memphis Chamber and the luncheon will be hosted by Amy Speropoulos from Channel 24 Local Memphis Live. The proceeds from the luncheon will help them to, hopefully, open the second floor of the shelter in our Centennial year. Tickets are $100. Every dollar counts in saving and rebuilding the lives of women and families who need us–the community–in the most troubled times of their lives. Get tickets at Eventbrite.
- Women of Achievement 35th Awards Reception
Sunday, March 24, 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
The 2019 Women of Achievement Awards Reception will celebrate six outstanding women whose Courage, Determination, Heroism, Initiative, Steadfastness, and Vision have changed our community. A seventh award –Heritage — salutes a woman or women from the past whose achievements still enrich our lives. Hear an essay about each honoree and her remarks about her achievements, enjoy an elegant reception of hors d’oeuvres and pastries, and celebrate 35 years of honoring women’s work, leadership, and history.
2019 Women of Achievement honorees:
Courage: Mildred Richard-Edwards
Determination: Rachel Coats Greer and Mary E. Mitchell
Heritage: Estelle Axton and Cornelia Crenshaw
Heroism: Gabriela Salinas
Initiative: Maxine Starling Strawder
Steadfastness: Jane H. Hooker
Vision: Carol Danehower
Get tickets for the reception here.
- Women of Memphis Engage
Tuesday, March 26, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
The Withers Collection Museum & Gallery continues its Talk About It Tuesday Series with “Women of Memphis Engage: Class, Culture, and Collaboration.” The discussion will cover the impact of socioeconomic stratification and how we can use our cultural traditions to foster a climate of understanding, unity, and empowerment. It’s free and open to the public. Visit their Facebook page for more info.
- Memphis Women’s Summit
Thursday, March 28, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
The annual Memphis Women’s Summit hosted by the Junior League of Memphis is a community-focused leadership conference that’s dedicated to developing and empowering women in their personal and professional lives. The one-day event includes breakout sessions with local leaders, vendor booths focused on women’s issues and interests, a luncheon featuring a panel of top female leaders in Memphis, and a keynote address by Olympic Gold Medalist Dominique Dawes. Tickets range from $50 – $150 depending on which portions of the event you want to attend. Learn more and get tickets here.
- Women’s History Month Closing with Tarana Burke
Friday, March 29, 2:00 PM
Tarana Burke shares the story behind the genesis of the viral 2017 TIME Person Of The Year-winning ‘Me Too.’ Movement and gives strength and healing to those who have experienced sexual trauma or harassment.
This is a FREE & public event hosted by The UofM Women’s History Month Committee. Seating is limited. RSVP here.
- The Road to Suffrage: Memphis
Saturday, March 30, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Submitted by Caroline Mitchell Carrico: The Pink Palace Museum is hosting a women’s suffrage symposium featuring three lectures:
- 1 PM: Dr. Nicole Etcheson, Alexander M. Bracken Professor of History, Ball State University
“When Women Do Military Duty”: Woman Suffrage in the Civil War Era” - 2 PM: Dr. Sarah Wilkerson-Freeman, Professor of History, Arkansas State University
Charl Ormand Williams: A Career in Suffrage - 3 PM: Dr. Beverly Bond, Associate Professor of History, The University of Memphis
‘To Prepare Her for the Duties of Life’: Envisioning Black Womanhood in Post-Emancipation Memphis
Get details here.
Editor’s note: The New Memphis Celebrate What’s Right luncheon honoring The Next Wave of Women who are shaping our city’s future was already sold out at the time of this post. Hope you got tickets because it’s going to be amazing, but if you missed out, be sure to follow New Memphis to be ready for the next one.
