A new event aimed at inspiring the young women of Airdrie will take place Nov. 24 at the Days Inn & Suites. The Young Women’s Empowerment Evolution (YWEE), was created solely for the young women and includes a full day of programming. Creator Melinda Tobias-Sarpal said she was motivated to organize the event after watching the experiences of her own 13-year-old daughter – and seeing the challenges teenaged girls sometimes have developing positive relationships, both in the home and at school. “What I’ve found through her experience…is young girls today are facing many challenges that are not addressed by our traditional school curriculum,” she said. “Our world has changed profoundly.” According to Tobias-Sarpal, YWEE is a one-day educational event focused on empowerment, leadership, inspiration and self-love for girls aged 13 to 17. Presentations throughout the day will cover topics including anti-bullying, stress management, self-defense, leading with purpose and living a healthy lifestyle, she said. The Boys and Girls Club of Airdrie will also provide resources for the event and be on-hand for the entire day. Empowering girls and young women to think positively and to combat negative cycles of bullying can yield important social change, she added. “I think these girls really need to know that they can be confident, and they can feel empowered and they can lead by example,” Tobias-Sarpal said. “If they can find a way to love themselves and be empowered in what they want to do to positively impact the world, then they’re going to go out into their schools and their community and they are going to lead by example.” Tobias-Sarpal noted she wanted to keep YWEE a girls-only event based on her own observations as a mother of both daughters and sons. “I haven’t seen as many problems or issues with boys at this age in my immediate family, but it was definitely something that was very obvious for my daughter for several years,” she said. She added, while boys and girls face many similar challenges at a young age, they also face different issues. Tobias-Sarpal said she hopes YWEE will become an annual event – one that will help inspire a generation of confident, positive young women who will accomplish amazing things. She also hopes to organize a similar event for young men. Admission for the event costs $59, which includes breakfast and lunch. Participants will also receive a unity bracelet and a certificate of completion. Registration is available online at ywee.eventcreate.com Tickets will be available until all 85 spots are filled, Tobias-Sarpal said. She added 20 tickets have been reserved and donated to the Boys and Girls Club of Airdrie to be distributed to deserving young women who may not be able to afford the cost.
