Women Rising

Women Rising is a community-driven event designed to empower, educate, and inspire individuals by highlighting the experiences, challenges, and achievements of women. It serves as a platform to spark meaningful conversations, build connections, and create awareness around important issues affecting women, such as leadership, equality, and safety. Through engaging speakers, storytelling, and interactive elements, Women Rising fosters a supportive and inclusive environment for growth, reflection, and action.

  • Empowerment.

    Women Rising is a powerful platform dedicated to uplifting and amplifying women's voices. By sharing stories of resilience, leadership, and advocacy, this event equips individuals with the knowledge and confidence to take action in their communities. Through meaningful conversations and interactive experiences, Women Rising inspires participants to embrace their power and drive change.

  • Inspiration.

    At Women Rising, inspiration takes center stage as speakers and storytellers share their journeys of perseverance, success, and impact. Their experiences shed light on the challenges women face and the triumphs that redefine possibilities. This event ignites a spark, encouraging individuals to pursue their goals, break barriers, and support one another in creating a more equitable world.

  • Community.

    Women Rising is more than an event—it’s a movement rooted in connection and collective action. By bringing together diverse voices and experiences, it fosters a sense of belonging and solidarity. Participants leave with new perspectives, strengthened relationships, and a shared commitment to advancing gender equality, making a lasting impact within their communities.

Upcoming Events!

Join us on March 6th, 6–8 PM, at Publik Space, 975 S West Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84101, for the second installment of Women Rising, an empowering event series that began in November 2024 and has quickly become a must-attend experience.This impactful gathering is dedicated to honoring the strength, resilience, and power of women while fostering meaningful dialogue and connection.

Meet Our Speakers

Dr. Susan Madsen

Dr. Susan R. Madsen is considered one of the top global scholars and thought leaders on the topic of women’s leadership, has authored or edited nine books, and has published hundreds of articles, chapters, and reports. Her research has been cited in the U.S. News and World Report, The Atlantic, The New York Times, Parenting Magazine, Chronicle of Higher Education, and The Washington Post. She is also a regular contributor to Forbes and other local and state newspapers. Professor Madsen is the Karen Haight Huntsman Endowed Professor of Leadership in the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University and serves on many nonprofit and community boards. She is also the Founding Director of the Utah Women & Leadership Project, the visionary behind Utah’s A Bolder Way Forward, and her passion is to strengthen the impact of girls and women in Utah and worldwide.

Dr. Jessie Lyn Richards

Dr. Jessie Lynn Richards, PHD is an assistant professor/lecturer in the David Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah where she teaches interpersonal and organizational communication and writing. Her research focuses on intersections of trauma, gender, and language in organizational contexts. She started Fight Against Domestic Violence (FADV), a non-profit organization, to support survivors of domestic violence through business, individual, and community partnerships. Dr. Richards plans to share stories of survivors compiled with DearUtah. DearUtah is a coalition movement of advocates, allies and agents of change, committed to transforming pain into power, silence into strength, and fear into freedom.

If you have any questions about Women Rising or need additional information, please contact:

Jakey Siolo, Senior Marketing & Engagement Manager
📧 JSiolo@ywcautah.org