MAKE UP FREE Evening Of Empowerment
Wow. Still running off a high from the fundraiser last weekend, A Makeup Free Evening of Empowerment, for @freetobetalks.
Every time I host events, it’s with the hope that all will go well, everyone will have a great time, and it’s more fulfilling than draining for my introverted heart. (Introverts unite!)
This evening of Empowerment was all that, and then some.
This group of women made this event SO powerful.
Showing up bare faced and open hearted there were stories shared, tears shed, and intelligent conversations. There was talk of real change, laughter, and uplifted sisterhood and community.
We started the evening with a mini empowerment workshop where we shared about the insecurity we had around showing up Makeup Free to the event. We all had something that we felt shy about, worried about, and felt someone would notice. We all had stories we were telling ourselves about how we “aren’t enough”. It always blows my mind when I’m faced with how pervasive the messages we get around media and appearance can go. How deeply we’re all affected. How connected we can be in that experience when we share it. So, that’s what we did.
We connected in small groups and went through an empowerment exercise that left us all shouting and yelling, “We are enough!”.
It was magic.
We kept that note going with the videos we watched and discussed around body positivity and social media literacy. The women that joined us were INCREDIBLE. They had such intelligence, experience, wisdom. When we started sharing our own experiences around body shaming, comments, judgments, I know I wasn’t the only one with tears. Again, these conversations are ones I wish we were having all the time. The type of conversations that open us up to the constructs we’re lead to believe in the beauty industry are ones we must be having. (P.S. I’m still uncertain how I feel about that being an industry at all, we are beautiful and worthy period. We don’t need to be sold that.)
One moment in particular, when the women were discussing the actionable change we could leave this event with, I just felt the fire in me. They were talking about changes in their relationships, around an upcoming wedding, conversations with their children, friends, communities, and more. I can’t tell you how brightly that fire burned in me to continue to support this vision of change. To do my part. To help others with theirs.
I truly believe that we are inherently worthy. I am determined to shed light on the stories that tell us we aren’t and challenge the ideals that say otherwise. The fire is still burning bright, sweet friend.
I couldn’t have done this without the amazing sponsors who made this event possible and the dream team of @rawbeautytalks and @freetobetalks.
Please scroll to the bottom of this post and take a peek at the amazingly generous community that stepped up to this cause. They are incredible.
Friday night, I felt we changed the world. A little bit at a time.
We raised over $1200 in one simple, intimate, evening and donations are still coming in.
This will fund an entire classroom through the Free To Be Program. (The donations have been sent off now, but if you’re interested and called in donating now, please contact me and I’ll make that happen!)
I am so proud and grateful.
My reign as Mrs BC is only a couple months in and I’m trying my best to be using that title for good, making real change in my community, and impact where my heart believes it matters most.
Thank you for being witness, taking part, and walking alongside me as we do this together!
Ps. Should we host another Makeup Free Evening of Empowerment in the New Year? 👇🏼 Let me know!
Sponsors:
Cactus Club………………....@cactusclubcafe
Piperwest Watches………....@piperwest
Union Swimwear…………....@union.swimwear
Local to Global……………...@localtoglobalca
Mint and Birch……………….@mintandbirch
Linda Hollyer………………...@linda_hollyer
Jessica’s Alfajores………….@jessicas_alfajores
Pink Crown Creative……….@pinkcrowncreative
Love Your Mondays………...@loveyourmondays
Sandra Nomoto……………..@journalsbysandra
Ruthie - Rodan and Fields...@rodanfields
Essential Oils for Healing….@eohealing
Cloud 9 Beautique………….@cloud9beautique
MIFA………………………….@mifaandco
Uniform Handmade………...@uniform.handmade
Pau Creations Canada……..@paucreationscanada
Photography:
Naz with Petite Photography
@petitephotography_
Venue:
Hervana Vancouver
@hervanavancouver
Refreshments:
Nutree
@nutree.wholesale
Partnership and Raising Funds For:
@freetobetalks
@rawbeautytalks
@tayloraller