The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Montgomery County hosted the 8th annual Power Your Potential Montgomery County Women’s Conference on November 3, 2023, at the Normandy Farm Hotel & Conference Center.

This empowering event drew more than 250 attendees, both men and women, who engaged in a day filled with inspiration, networking, and personal and professional development.

Distinguished keynote speakers included Kim Fraites-Dow, CEO of the Girls Scouts of Eastern PA, and Erika Rothenberger, Henkels & McCoy, with the Honorary Chair, Ellen Kolodziej of FOX29.

The conference featured eight breakout sessions addressing topics relevant to personal and professional growth, catering to the diverse needs and interests of the attendees.

A significant highlight of this year’s conference was the introduction of the inaugural POWER Award. This prestigious accolade was designed to honor an extraordinary woman whose life journey exemplifies the strength of the human spirit, with a focus on qualities such as Perseverance, Overcoming, Willpower, Empowerment, and Resilience.

The deserving recipient of the first-ever POWER Award is Monique Ragin. Monique’s life story is one of triumph over adversity, overcoming personal and family hardships, health challenges, and economic difficulties. Her resilience, determination, and ability to transform personal struggles into sources of inspiration set her apart as a true beacon of empowerment.

Pamela Kelly, President/CEO of the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Montgomery County, and conference host, expressed her admiration for Monique’s journey, stating, “The POWER Award is a recognition of Monique’s unwavering commitment to resilience, self-improvement, and inspiring others to find their inner strength. Her story is a living testament to the idea that we can overcome even the most daunting challenges, and through that journey, we can become beacons of hope and transformation in the lives of others.”

The POWER Award was presented to Monique Ragin by Alvernia University President Dr. Glynis Fitzgerald, who also served as the award sponsor.

In addition to the POWER Award, the conference presented the annual Woman of Excellence award to Dr. Edith Mitchell from the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson Health.

This prestigious award, recognizing influential women in the region, was presented by Cancer Center Director, Dr. Andrew Chapman.

Dr. Mitchell, a trailblazer in both the medical field and the military, has dedicated her distinguished career to improving cancer care in underserved communities. Her historic achievement as the first female physician to achieve the rank of brigadier general in the U.S. Air Force further solidifies her status as a role model making a significant impact.

Read more about the POWER award at the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Montgomery County.

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