Empowering Women Tea and Awards to honor those making a difference in community

Tea party? Check.

Boutique shopping? Check.

Music? Check.

Well-known keynote speaker? Check.

Honoring local women who are making a difference in our community? Well, that’s the focal point of the upcoming Empowering Women Tea and Awards.

Erin Bishop, founder and executive director of Whatever Girls, has found a way to raise funds for her nonprofit while celebrating six individuals who are contributing their time, talent and influence to make our area a better place.

“We want to honor women in our community who are living, leading, and serving with strength and dignity – a biblical approach to women’s empowerment,” Bishop said. “And we want to tie in the importance of mentoring the younger generation.”

Proceeds from the event and the pop-up boutique will go to Whatever Girls, a faith-based group for mothers and daughters that Bishop launched in 2009.

The name comes from a Bible verse, Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.”

Bishop said Whatever Girls creates resources for moms and daughters, but that’s not all.

“Our new tagline is ‘Empowering Girls, Supporting Moms, Inspiring Dads,’” she said.

The event will be emceed by KXLY news anchor Nadine Woodward and features guest speaker Dr. Joneal Kirby from West Monroe, Louisiana.

“Dr. Kirby is the aunt of Korie Robertson from ‘Duck Dynasty,’” Bishop said.

Kirby is the founder of Heartfelt Ministries and champions multigenerational relationships among women of faith.

Music will be provided by 17-year-old local singer songwriter Jenna Johansen.

Johansen has written and performed several songs, notably “Remember You” (Sam’s Song), which she wrote after the tragic Freeman High School shooting last fall.

“Jenna is writing a song for Whatever Girls, which she will release at the Empowering Women Tea and Awards,” Bishop said.

Awards will be presented to women in six categories: Young Woman (up to age 25), Business Leader/Entrepreneur, Non-Profit/Ministry Leader, Community Leader/Visionary, Homemaker and Single Mom.

While business, nonprofit and community leaders are often recognized, Bishop said homemakers and single mothers are “unsung heroes.”

“So much depends on them, and they are influencers who are making a difference,” she said.

The pop-up boutique will include locally handcrafted items including spa products, custom jewelry, journals, note cards, home goods and decor.

Bishop hopes the Empowering Women Tea and Awards will “weave a tapestry of women of very different backgrounds and interests and share their stories.”

“Their stories matter,” she said. “We need to let women know there’s a place for them, and to say thank you for the hard work they do while staying true to their values.”