Lessons Learned Celebrating International Women’s Day at Workspace

International Women’s Day Celebration at Workspace 

March 8th was a day for community at Workspace! On this year’s International Women's Day, local women from Shelby County and the surrounding areas gathered and did something great. We immersed ourselves in a daylong journey of self-awareness, self-love, self-empowerment, and personal development. The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day was Break the Bias. "Whether deliberate or unconscious, bias makes it difficult for women to move ahead," the International Women’s Day website states. "Knowing that bias exists isn't enough. Action is needed to level the playing field." What better way to continue breaking down barriers than by pausing for a day to work on remembering, identifying, and respecting the powers that lie within?  

Local women entrepreneurs led sessions throughout the day. Our events kicked off with Empowerment Coach Arlene Henderson of Hear My Cry Sisterhood LLC.  

Self-worth and Empowerment Coaching 

Arlene Henderson led us through a version of her workshop, You Are Worthy. The essential topics we covered support are designed to help women in redirecting some of the energy we invest in our spouses, children, friends, and career back to ourselves.  

Arlene posed the question, What are you going to do for yourself?  

We explored reminders to: 

• Be accountable to yourself. 

• Put yourself first. 

• Go after your dreams. 

• Allow yourself the freedom to live. 

Essential tips from Arlene’s You Are Worthy workshop include: 

• Self-evaluation: You look at yourself and accept yourself for who you are. Be accountable to yourself.   

• Self-care: How you take care of yourself is a testament to the love you have for yourself. 

• Self-love: There is no time to waste on learning to love yourself unconditionally. Flaws and all. 

• Boundaries: Create good spaces for you to thrive in without being depleted by others. Protect your peace. 

• You are worthy! Believe in yourself.  

Self-love and Holistic Wellbeing 

A session on women’s mental health with Soul Story Therapy’s Hanna Stiltner followed. Hanna encouraged us to realize that owning our stories and loving ourselves through the process is the bravest and most important work we will ever do. “You have the innate strength and ability within you to heal,” she encouraged. Soul Story Therapy’s holistic psychotherapy practice helps individuals realize how their unique emotions, thoughts, physical experiences, and spiritual understandings work together to support typical daily function. This deeper understanding of the whole self can often lend itself to greater self-awareness, self-esteem, and self-acceptance. 

Personal Development 

The concluding session was conducted by Shayla Nicole, Digital Content Creator, Marketing Strategist, and Founder of 6tysix Media.  This session was full of fun and personal development as we worked on honing our skills in creating Instagram reels! Shayla’s professional coaching and personal attention extended to many participants beyond her official session.  

The overarching takeaway of the day was that holistic wellbeing, personal development, and mental health matter! You are worthy! Own your story! Love yourself – and show that love by setting aside real time in your day to nurture where you need it most! It’s one of the best ways we can take real action during Women’s History Month.