Junior League of New Orleans Invites You to the Inaugural Women’s Leadership Summit by Shanelle Joseph | Photos by Jessica Bachmann | WLS Presented by Ochsner Baptist
WLS Committee Members prepare for the inaugural Summit, which is presented by Ochsner Baptist.
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hether through the pursuit of voting rights, racial equality, or fair and equal pay in the workforce, women have made great strides in liberation and independence throughout history. Today, women in America have managed to garner leadership positions in nearly every profession within this country. As we progress into the 21st century, more and more women aspire to become business owners, mentors and leaders in various walks of life. The Junior League of New Orleans (JLNO) developed a Women’s Leadership Summit to continue our commitment to the vision of promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers, and meeting a growing demand for women leaders. The idea for the event developed two years ago during a Women’s Leadership Conference Exploratory Committee meeting Co-Chaired by Evelyn Poitevent, who is now the Women’s Leadership Summit Committee Co-Chair. At the meeting, it was
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Lagniappe | Fall 2020
recommended that JLNO develop its very own women’s leadership event. Evelyn pitched the idea to JLNO’s Board of Directors, and after many meetings and diligent efforts by committee members, the Women’s Leadership Summit was ready to soar. The inaugural Summit will take place on Tuesday, October 20, 2020, joining businesswomen of all sectors, female entrepreneurs, and women with an interest in and passion for helping their communities. Emily Schmidt, Women’s Leadership Summit Co-Chair, notes that the proceeds will directly benefit JLNO community efforts such as its Diaper Bank, Community Assistance Fund Scholarship Program, Women’s Entrepreneur (WE) Fellowship, and several other community impact projects. While selecting candidates to speak at the inaugural summit, Speaker Chair Amy Landry believed that reputation, diversity and relevance were the most important attributes. The WLS Committee sought potential speakers who garnered outstanding reputations as leaders in their organizations and communities. Accordingly,
