12th Annual Women's Forum Empowers Locals to Triumph Through Transition

The Ridgefield Chamber of Commerce hosted the 12th annual Women’s Forum on May 25, 2017. More than 100 women filled the room at the Salem Golf Club in North Salem. The event and activity-packed day included three guest speakers, many retail vendors, a variety of 10-minute beauty and health sessions, a delicious brunch, as well as a silent auction and a host of raffles courtesy of local businesses.

The morning speaker, Dr. Roseann Capanna discussed self-care for women through transitions in life. Her holistic approach and views on modern medicine grabbed the audience's attention leading to several questions and thought-provoking discussions.

Following the brunch, Kaitlin Roig-DeBellis, the first-grade teacher who piled her first grade students in the classroom bathroom at Sandy Hook Elementary School, saving them from a mass-shooting, shared her emotional story and her message of hope. Roig-DeBellis, the author of and author of “Choosing Hope: Moving Forward from Life’s Darkest Hours”, encouraged and empowered attendees to choose hope and live life with passion and purpose. A mother of one of DeBellis' first grade students was in attendance. 

DeBellis is the Founder & Executive Director of Classes 4 Classes, Inc., a 501(c)3 organization. Kaitlin founded Classes 4 Classes knowing that positive social change was needed, and that this needed to begin with the youngest members of our society, our K-8 students.

The afternoon speaker, Amy Mosley, Managing Director at EWomenNetwork, and a cancer survivor shared powerful story of faith and hope, bringing attendees to their feet. Mosley's personal health battle, and overcoming darkness by believing in the light, spoke perfectly to the day's theme: “Triumph Through Transition”.

A highlight of the event was the presentation of the Woman of the Year award. Last year's recipient, Kerry Anne Ducey, introduced and presented the award to the 2017 Women of the Year, Margaret Price, the President of Ridgefield Supply. Price recognized for her entrepreneurial vision and accomplishments as a highly-regarded businesswoman, in a male dominated industry.

*Photos by Deborah O'Brien

 

 

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Submitted by Ridgefield, CT

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