Women’s Empowerment Week South Louisiana and Women’s Empowerment Week Acadiana were major successes for all who participated and attended events. With keynote speaker author, chef, and former No Limit artist, Mia X, The Power of She Empowerment Tea presented by Sistars of Empowerment Social Organization kicked off the week full of activities.
Mia X spoke on womanhood and human-selection versus God-sent, while sharing personal stories of her own her struggles and strength. Other featured speakers were Coach Adraine Conrad and Dionne Croz Smith The event also included a tribute to women, a performance and scholarship giveaway to Mr. & Miss Empowerment Pageant participant and Baton Rouge 12th-grader Kayla Jenkins. The mistress of ceremony was Martisa Henderson.
Other events followed for the rest of the week, including several activities for young/teenage girls, until the Sunday of the following weekend. “Women’s Empowerment Week was everything I expected and more.  The event sponsors poured so much into the attendees with their amazing concepts and knowledge base,†says SOE founder and president, Nadia Francois. “I look forward to next year and the innovative events to come. Our women and girls are taking this world by storm and SOE wants to empower and equip them to conquer it all.â€
Sistars of Empowerment Social Organization, Inc is a private non-profit organization established in 2013 for professional women to network, give back to the community, and socialize simultaneously. Their mission is to empower by promoting sisterhood, education, service and networking to enhance the progression of women and youth.Â
A few other events that took place under the Women’s Empowerment  Week umbrella were as follows:
- Hour of Code “Girls Only†presented by Baton Rouge Association of Gifted and Talented Students
- Chat & Chew presented by The BRidge Agency
- Safe a Life presented by Pilut Healthcare
- Shout It Out Empowerment Sessions by Celeste Payne
- Customer Appreciation & Grand Opening for Glam Store & Co (new location)
- Saturday Lunch Learn by Planned Parenthood
- Real Life, Real Talk by Planned Parenthood
- The Dance Project 2019 hosted by Dance THerHAPPY Inc and The EduProject
- Act Like a Lady Think Like a Queen: Etiquette & Self Esteem by Ms. Black Louisiana Empowerment
- You Glow Girl!, collaboration between Author LA Lewis and author Tarkisha Wallace of SOAR Counseling
- Think Like a Lady Act Like a Queen: Etiquette & Self Esteem Ms. Black Louisiana Empowerment
- KidKode: Talks at the Kitchen Table Mental Health and Self Esteem Workshop
Many of the events were great opportunities for women owned businesses to spotlight their brands.
After hosting the inaugural Women’s Empowerment Week in Baton Rouge, Louisiana last year, Francois decided  to expand the event to include the Lafayette and Acadiana areas. Inquiries for next year are being accepted at sistarsinc13@gmail.com. To learn more about the organization visit https://www.sistarsofempowerment.org/ .
Photography by Bobby Mayo Photography.
