You are invited to a new virtual series hosted by the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts dedicated to bolstering women’s economic security.
Many organizations have been affected by the economic impact of the pandemic, but while many still survive, women-owned businesses are at the brink of devastation. Prior to the pandemic, 1/3 of Western Massachusetts businesses were owned by women with that fraction threatening to decrease by the week. Businesses owned by women of color face the greatest barriers and are most likely to be shut out of recovery funding.
In the nonprofit sector, the pandemic has been disruptive to women-focused organizations and many philanthropic dollars have been understandably redirected to immediate COVID response.
Economic security for women is paramount to the success of a family. To bolster and empower women to be the champions of their own lives, we introduce Power Women Hour.
Women-Owned Businesses in Western MA (Before COVID-19)
Will you empower her?
Watch Power Women Hour
Support
You can help us keep women’s economic security at the forefront by supporting Power Women Hour.
Power Up by GivingPower Up by Giving
Thank you to our lead sponsor, The Jamrog Group
And sponsor
How to participate in Power Women Hour.
What is Power Women Hour?
Power Women Hour is a monthly virtual series that features vulnerable Western MA women-owned businesses, particularly women of color-owned business or women-led nonprofits.
Join the WFWM as we listen to real women’s stories and learn a skill, craft, exercise, and more. The women entrepreneurs will be compensated for participating while community members benefit from getting the inside scoop behind the business leading up to each monthly event.
Where and when does PWH happen?
Power Women Hour will be available on our website and our YouTube channel every second or third Wednesday of the month at noon (12:00 PM EST).
How does this work?
The Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts is dedicated to women’s economic empowerment. With this, the WFWM has committed to paying all of the women entrepreneurs who participate in Power Women Hour.
Power Women Hour is made possible by our lead sponsor, The Jamrog Group, with additional support from the Institute for Generative Leadership.
We aim to sustain this initiative and invite you to give what you can to keep women’s economic security at the forefront of our communities in the region.
Why should I participate in PWH?
You will
- help the most vulnerable women-owned businesses survive
- grow funding support for the Women’s Fund of Western MA and thereby support women and girls in your community
- learn fun skills and the determination it takes to own or lead a business or nonprofit
- build a community of people who are passionate about supporting women in their community
Power Women Hour Series
Dropping on January 20th!
Featured Entrepreneur:
Join us as we take a dive deep into the financial side of small business success as Amy Jamrog and Michelle Ransom discuss the top 10 overlooked components to lucrative financial security.
Amy Jamrog, Founder and CEO of The Jamrog Group, is joined by Investment Specialist, Michelle Ransom, from Charter Oak Financial. This month’s Power Women Hour is introduced by Andrea Bordenca, the CEO of the Institute of Generative Leadership.
Amy Jamrog, Founder and CEO of The Jamrog Group
The Jamrog Group
The Jamrog Group Website (www.TJGadvisors.com)
1789 Northampton Street, Holyoke, MA 01040
(413) 587-4089
Facebook: @tjgadvisors
Michelle Ransom, Investment Specialist at Charter Oak Financial
Andrea Bordenca, CEO of The Institute for Generative Leadership
The Institute for Generative Leadership
The Institute for Generative Leadership Website (www.GenerateLeadership.com)
(303) 919-9493
Facebook: @generativeleadership
Twitter: @GenerativeLead
LinkedIn: Institute for Generative Leadership
Last Month’s Featured Entrepreneur:
Zelmon M. Johnson “known as Zee” is the founder and owner of Olive Tree Books-n-Voices, a community bookstore located in Springfield, MA. Affectionately known as the “bookstore lady on Hancock Street”, Olive Tree Books-n-Voices grew from a future retirement hobby to a brick and mortar bookstore located in the Mason Square Neighborhood of Springfield. With 15 years in the community, the goal of the bookstore is to be a resource for all ages whose interest is of a literary nature. The services range from providing books and literary information to individuals, community partners, and organizations who have an interest in the African American narrative. Additionally, its social responsibility is to expose the community to local, regional, and national authors, as well as providing vendor/store space for local/regional authors and entrepreneurs.
Zee Johnson has always had a love of books, even as a youngster growing up in Richmond, Virginia. Her love of books continued as she earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Business Education from Morgan State University. The idea of a bookstore was conceived in an African American Literature class at Morgan State University, and this vision remained with her until, in 2005, it became a reality.
In addition to owning a local bookstore, Ms. Zee currently works at the Springfield Department of Elder Affairs (Raymond A. Jordan Senior Center), after having spent over 20+ years in human resources in corporate, non-profit, and social justice organizations.
After a “substantial absence” from formal education, Ms. Zee returned to graduate school in 2017, and in May 2020, received a Master of Social Work degree from Westfield State University. She is looking forward to continuing the ministry of the bookstore, its inherent social justice components, and her commitment to serving the underserved and vulnerable communities.
Olive Tree Books-n-Voices
Olive Tree Books-n-Voices Website (https://olivetreebooksonline.com/)
97 Hancock St, Springfield, MA 01109
(413) 737-6400
Facebook: @olivetreebooks
Instagram: @olivetreebooks
Twitter: @olivetree_books
Dropping on January 20th!