The Strong Woman Series was developed in 2008 for low-income women in Newport and Newport County interested in empowerment and self-improvement. Eight sessions are offered monthly between October and April, featuring a rotating group of volunteer speakers leading lively interactive discussions on a range of topics. The series was created to enlighten, celebrate, and empower women as women, instead of focusing on them solely as parents or caregivers. Topics have included Cooking on a Budget, Dressing for Success, Basic Banking, Meditation and Relaxation, Nutrition, How to Improve your Credit, Creating a Success Cycle, Starting Your Own Business, and Healthy Relationships, among others.
In 2011-2012, The Strong Woman Business Series was designed to give all women in Newport County the opportunity to become economically self-sufficient and prosperous through entrepreneurship. Eleven women participated, with 5 women graduating. This project was a collaboration with the Center for Business & Enterprise and was funded by People’s Credit Union.
In 2012-2013, fifteen women are participating in The Strong Woman Art Series, designed to help women gain self confidence through artistic expression. Through empowering workshops and open discussion, women overcome barriers to personal growth, tap the potential within themselves, and build a sustaining community of friends who act as a support system
The Series is funded by the Miss Swinburne Fund of the RI Foundation, in collaboration with People’s Credit Union, Newport Hospital, the Newport Public Library, and Salve Regina University.
For information regarding the current session, call Jane Kirkpatrick, at 846-4828 x103, or email her at jkirkpatrick@mlkccenter.org.
