Sparta White County Chamber of Commerce launching the inaugural White County Women’s Conference on July 30 to empower women across the Upper Cumberland to lead with confidence and build stronger local communities.
Executive Director of the Sparta White County Chamber of Commerce Brent Young said the event is designed to help women break through generational barriers that may have limited their professional or personal growth in the past. Young said the conference provides a platform for attendees to connect with mentors who have navigated similar paths to success.
“Sometimes we get locked into that generational thing where, you know, this particular family member wasn’t able to obtain it, so I’m not going to be able to obtain it,” Young said. “This particular conference lets them know that they can.”
Young said the mission of the conference is to equip every attendee with the tools necessary to evaluate their personal and professional journeys. Young said the Chamber selected a diverse group of speakers to ensure that every woman in attendance can find a leader she relates to.
“Our mission is to inspire, empower women to lead with confidence, find and use their voice, and break through barriers that limit their growth,” Young said. “Throughout meaningful connection, transformative teaching, and real-life insight.”
Young said the speaker lineup includes local business owners, government officials, and representatives from the faith community and the arts. Young said the Chamber worked with its board of directors to identify remarkable leaders who possess strong networking capabilities and the ability to encourage others.
“We were looking for literally everybody to be represented,” Young said. “And this was and these are who we came up with. We actually talked to our board of directors and we got several different suggestions, and all these ladies lined up very well together.”
Young said the conference will feature speakers such as Tina Qualls from Christpoint Church, Terra Ballinger from Duck Pond Manor, and Sherri Stickler from Synergy Herbal Works. Young said the keynote speaker for the event will be Putnam County Convention Center and Visitor Center Executive Director of Tourism Shan Stout.
“It’s going to be a full day of nothing but empowering ladies,” Young said. “And that’s what I’m hoping is that those that have those dreams of being a business owner or an entrepreneur see some of themselves in some of these speakers so that they can be able to relate to them and even have those one-on-one conversations with these speakers after the conference.”
Young said the event serves as a foundation for future growth and is intended for women throughout the entire Upper Cumberland region rather than just White County. Young said investing in women leaders creates a win-win scenario for the community because of the way women pour into their families and friends.
“I respect and I love my mother and she poured so much into me,” Young said. “I see ladies pouring into their children, into their friends, and into their families. So if we can bring them together for them to have a support system just like this for the White County’s Women’s Conference, I think this is a win-win for everybody in the community.”
Young said the conference will be held at The Dimora in Sparta with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m. and opening ceremonies starting at 9:00 a.m. Young said the day will include breakfast provided by Christpoint Church and lunch from Magnolia Catering.
“We’re hoping to build a solid support system for ladies in the Upper Cumberland,” Young said. “I think this is just a foundation and something that we can grow on here in White County and also the Upper Cumberland area.”
Young said interested participants should visit the Chamber website to make a reservation because the event has a limited capacity.
