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YWCA ‘Taking the Lead’ continues Wednesday

KICK-OFF SPEAKER — Sophie Spencer, left, executive director of the YWCA of Steubenville, introduced Ellen Barner as the September speaker for the YWCA’s “Taking the Lead” kickoff for 2019-20 monthly presentations. The next one is at 8 a.m. Wednesday and will feature Lynn Meyer, athletic director at Steubenville High School. -- Janice Kiaski

STEUBENVILLE — The YWCA of Steubenville’s “Taking the Lead” series continues Wednesday for the 2019-20 season, welcoming Steubenville High School Athletic Director Lynn Meyer as the guest speaker.

The informal presentation begins at 8 a.m. and includes a breakfast and lasts about an hour or so, according to Sophie Spencer, executive director of the YWCA of Steubenville, located at 320 N. Fourth St.

“The ‘Taking the Lead’ series is an opportunity for women who own businesses, women in senior management and women who want to start a business to network with each other and to learn about each other’s businesses and professions,” Spencer explained. The cost is $15. For information or to register, contact Spencer at (740) 282-1261. The e-mail is Steubenvilleywca@comcast.net.

“It’s just a networking opportunity for women in the area,” she said of the program in its second year. It includes a time of introduction from those attending as well as an opportunity to promote events and activities.

In May, Meyer was named the Eastern Ohio Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association Athletic Director of the Year.

The series took a break for the summer, returning Sept. 4 with the presentation given by former YWCA board President Ellen Barner.

“It’s great to be here with other powerful women — women who are making such a difference in our community,” said Barner, who has been an independent Stampin’ Up demonstrator since 2004. She earned a trip to Thailand, offering encouragement to women in multilevel marketing companies that it is possible to reach levels of success.

Six years ago, Barner returned to the area where she grew up, a move that allowed her business to flourish, she said, noting she has been “really blessed” to have “wonderful customers, wonderful friends.”

In addressing the question ‘How do we dare to be powerful,” Barner quoted the late Audre Lorde, who was born in New York City to West Indian immigrant parents and was a “self-described black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet who dedicated both her life and her creative talent to confronting and addressing injustices of racism, sexism, classism and homophobia.”

Barner read “When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.”

“I don’t know about you, but there have been a lot of times in my life that fear has stopped me,” she said, polling the women in the audience regarding how many owned their own business and if they were “a kind and compassionate boss.”

“What I find with myself is that I tend to be a real slave driver,” Barner said. “I expect a lot of myself and often I am disappointed when I don’t achieve the goals I have set for myself and really push heard to reach them and what I’m learning through life is that I really need to take some time to step back and to really reflect on what I really want to do with my life and that is to have a business where women can get together and have fun and fellowship.”

She continued, “I really believe that I create that in the events that I do and the blessing that comes from that so I have several women who are widows who come to my house every week, and we craft together and for some of them, that’s really their only outing for the week, and they really look forward to the time they get to spend with other women doing something that’s fun and relaxing. When you’re having fun and relaxed, a lot of those cares and stress hormones we have racing through our bodies sort of wash out and settle down and we get to experience a peace and a joy that comes from doing something that is creative and gives us that sense of accomplishment.”

Barner said stamping brings her joy and asked audience members for their input on what brings them joy and how do they share their “light and love with others.”

She also read a poem by author Marianne Williamson on “Our Deepest Fear.”

Barner closed her presentation with two announcements, including that the second in series of town hall meetings on eliminating addiction will be held Oct. 24 at the Sycamore Youth Center in Steubenville. It runs from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The YWCA’s fourth-annual Women of Distinction fundraiser banquet will be held Nov. 21 at Hellenic Hall. Tickets are $40.

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