June 12, 2019 | Stories
Women's Fund Continues to Create a Legacy of Empowerment
On Tuesday, April 23rd the Women’s Fund for San Benito County hosted their first ever INSPIRE Event.
The kick-off event had a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) theme and focused on women participating and thriving in a job category that is traditionally for men.
The evening’s keynote speaker was Corinne Warnshuis, who is a passionate women's empowerment advocate and was the Executive Director of a national nonprofit that provides adult women the opportunity to learn how to code. Her personal stories, which exemplified how allowing women to learn a new STEM-based skill can change lives, along with her enthusiasm, were motivational.
Dr. Kathleen Rose, the President/Superintendent of Gavilan College, along with a few students, shared their remarkable stories at the event. Hearing the students’ stories about pursuing STEM careers at Gavilan and seeing their passion was very inspiring.
Guests of the event were seated at tables with colorful STEM “Create O Flakes” and encouraged to play with the brain building toys to create a large centerpiece. All of the toys were later donated to local preschools to encourage STEM-related play in young children.
Event chair Loree Van Bebber was thankful for those who attended and participated in the event, commenting that, “From this event and with the support of the Women’s Fund we will be able to grant over $25,000 to women and children’s causes here in San Benito County, through the Community Foundation’s grant program. As a committee, we are excited and inspired to further our pledge to help empower women in our community.”
The Women’s Fund would like to thank their event partners; PG&E, Sheet Metal Systems Inc., Brent Redmond Transportation, American Casting Company, TekNova, San Benito Engineering & Surveying, Inc., Paicines Ranch, Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital, and Marilyn Ferreira/Intero Real Estate. And a special thanks to San Juan Oaks, Marisa Duran Photography and DLG Printing for helping to make this event a success.
If you would like to learn more about the Women’s Fund of San Benito County, please visit their webpage or Facebook page. If you want to help create a legacy of empowerment for future generations considering donating to the Women’s Fund.
