The Chattanooga State Community College Dept. of Organizational Culture and Engagement and a local nonprofit, Beloved Woman, are teaming up to present a Lunch and Learn, “Changing the Narrative for Women in Business,” on Wednesday, Sept. 13 from noon-1:30 p.m. The lunch and panel will be held in the Omniplex Building, Staff and Faculty Dining Room at Chattanooga State Community College.
This is a free event, but an RSVP is required to attend. To make reservations and receive parking information visit www.belovedwoman.org or email belovedwomanchattanooga@gmail.com.
Organizers said, “Women in Tennessee have made considerable advances in recent years but still face inequities that often prevent them from reaching their full potential.
Yet, as in all other states, women in Tennessee are less likely than men to be in the labor force and more likely to live in poverty. (statusofwomendata.org). The U.S Census Bureau states that women in Tennessee earn about $9,000 dollars less per year than men and Tennessee ranks 36th in the nation for the share of women in poverty. The poverty rate in Chattanooga is 29.41 percent higher than the Tennessee average. Women in Chattanooga face challenges of pay inequity, economic mobility and barriers to resources and opportunity.
"This Lunch and Learn discussion aims to raise awareness for barriers to resources, opportunities and progress for women in business in Chattanooga, while exploring a pathway to hope and change for the future."
The panel will be moderated by Dionne Jenkins, VP of diversity and inclusion, TVFCU, and includes the following guest panelists: Karen Collins, director of supplier diversity, City of Chattanooga; Kristin Copeland, manager, minority and women-owned businesses, EPB; Marcus Cade-Johnson, business lender, TVFCU; Sherry Cothran, founder & president, Beloved Woman; and Nahomi Ortiz, director of talent management, Chattanooga State.
Beloved Woman is a local nonprofit that helps financially disadvantaged women become self-employed and create a pathway to a living wage. For more information, visit www.belovedwoman.org.