Speaking Up With Women Returns to Andrews

Andrews University will present the third annual Speaking Up With Women event on Thursday, March 6, 2025. The event aims to support and empower women across the Southwest Michigan region. It will be held in the Howard Performing Arts Center on the Andrews University campus, located at 4160 East Campus Circle Drive. Doors are set to open at 3:30 p.m.

This year’s event will be hosted by Raelynn Lee, news reporter for WSBT, Channel 22, and will feature a powerful panel discussion with esteemed women leaders from diverse professional backgrounds, along with a variety of performances and a vendor fair.

Facilitated by Debbie Michel, director of communication for the Lake Union Conference and editor of the Lake Union Herald, the panel will provide insights and inspiration to attendees. The panelists include:

• Ashley Hines, Benton Harbor Community Development Corporation

• SaTanna Warren, Benton Harbor city commissioner

• Dillondria Patterson, principal at Benton Harbor Discovery Enrichment Center

• Kim Jorgensen Gane, local author

• Mamie Yarbrough, 4th District commissioner for Berrien County

• Mary Jo Schnell, OutCenter of Southwest Michigan

Additional presentations will be delivered by Kyna King, project specialist at Corewell Health, and Katie Davis, vice president of external affairs at Indiana Michigan Power. The event will also highlight the achievements of locally owned businesses and organizations led by outstanding female entrepreneurs, with special awards recognizing their service and contributions to the community.

Attendees will enjoy an uplifting atmosphere featuring music, artistic performances and a vendor fair. Beyond Limits Entertainment, with founder Ardale Clark, will contribute to the program, and local businesses and nonprofits will be showcasing their work in booths at the vendor fair. Those interested in participating as vendors can inquire via email at gunnn@andrews.edu. Registration for the event is suggested and can be completed here.

On Wednesday, March 5, an additional event will be presented by Corewell Health’s Culinary Medicine team at the Andreasen Center for Wellness from 5:30–7:30 p.m. Local chef and business owner Audrey Peeples will present a cooking demonstration, teaching cooking techniques while discussing her career as a chef. Registration is free and can be completed at this link.

Join the Andrews University community for both days of empowerment, networking and celebration as the campus recognizes and uplifts the incredible leaders of Michiana.