Women of Westfield Continues To Lift Up and Invest in Local Women
Writer / Alli Donovan
Photography Provided
Women of Westfield, otherwise known as WOW, is a 501(c)(7) group in Westfield that strives to positively impact the Westfield community by investing in women through relationships and service. The group focuses on bringing together women who either live or work in Westfield, and empowering them both personally and professionally.
For several years, WOW Founder Danielle Carey Tolan had the idea to develop a group specifically for the women of Westfield to connect and engage with the city. When she discovered that there were women at the Westfield Chamber with the same goal, it was a sign for her to launch a program where women could gather with no restrictions – no business requirements, no statuses, just a friendly space for women to network.
“Amazing relationships come out of our group and our events – not only business connections, but friendship connections,” she says.
Members pride themselves on their variety of event offerings that target and teach a range of different topics. From monthly socials to community volunteer opportunities and trainings, such as personal safety training, WOW leaders want to be sure that all members find an event that sparks an interest.
“Our whole mission is to serve Westfield and impact Westfield,” Carey Tolan says. “We want to be able to have a positive impact in the community and people of that community.”
WOW has their annual BE Gathering event coming up in November. This event is designed for women from every background, through every stage of life. Together, WOW members celebrate sisterhood, strength and solidarity, while honoring the many unique roles in their daily lives. Each year has a specific theme and offers accessible, practical, inspirational and educational resources for all women. The 2022 theme is “Be a Badass.” The panel at the event will focus on how they broke their mold and found their own success. Tickets are $30 and available on WOW’s website.
“I believe we all need a network of women in our life, no matter where we are in our stages of life,” Carey Tolan says. “It makes us stronger as women and stronger as humans.”
The group currently has 2,800 members through their e-newsletter and social events. There are no fees to join WOW. To join the group or to find out more information, you can visit womenofwestfield.com or email iamwomenofwestfield@gmail.com.
