Amway, Inforum, Meijer and Wolverine Worldwide have partnered to host the community-wide event that will take place on March 8, 2019 

Jeffrey Mosher catches up with Terry Barclay, President and CEO, Inforum, to discuss International Women's Day event on March 8 in downtown Grand Rapids. The West Michigan International Women’s Day event will be taking place on Friday, March 8, 2019 from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm.

To hear Terry and Jeffrey share about this event please click play below:

• The event is hosted by Inforum, Amway, Wolverine Worldwide and Meijer.
• Celebrated annually on March 8, International Women’s Day highlights the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women and is celebrated globally.
• This year’s campaign theme is #BalanceforBetter, calling for a more gender-balanced world.
• The local celebration of International Women’s Day originated as an internal event at Amway, but the event was so impactful it has since been opened to the public and has seen sold-out crowds for the last several years.
• Vernice Armour, America's first African American female combat pilot, will be delivering one of the keynote speeches

West Michigan will celebrate International Women’s Day on Friday, March 8, with a special event hosted by Amway, Inforum, Meijer and Wolverine Worldwide at DeVos Place, 303 Monroe Ave. NW, from 8:30am to 4:00pm. Tickets to the event, which will include a keynote speech from America’s first African American female combat pilot, Vernice “FlyGirl” Armour, are on sale now and can be purchased here. 

Celebrated annually on March 8, International Women’s Day highlights the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women and is celebrated globally. This year’s campaign theme is #BalanceforBetter, calling for a more gender-balanced world. The West Michigan event will honor this theme with inspiring keynote speeches and engaging breakout sessions. 

The local celebration of International Women’s Day originated as an internal event at Amway, but the event was so impactful it has since been opened to the public and has seen sold-out crowds for the last several years.

“Our team at Amway is thrilled to once again be celebrating International Women’s Day here in West Michigan with Inforum and other local partners. This year’s event will serve as a platform for productive discussions surrounding the importance of both diversity and inclusion and gender equity,” said Claire Groen, Chief Human Resources Officer at Amway. “Event attendees will be inspired by the content and will leave with the necessary tools and resources in order to make a difference not only in their own lives, but in the lives of others.” 

This year’s event will feature keynote speeches from nationally renowned speakers and champions of women’s rights and equality. Vernice Armour, who also is a former United States Marine Corps officer, will share her presentation, Get Gutsy, Make YOUR Move!,which will encourage attendees to take action in order to reach their goals. Vernice, who has previously been featured on CNN and “Oprah,” holds two honorary doctorates and is the author of several books.  

Dr. Michael Kaufman, a writer and advisor focused on engaging men to promote gender equality, will deliver on the topic, The Gender Equality Advantage.Monica Cost, professional author and motivational speaker, will also present Pardon My Presence: My Authentic Brand Showed Up. 

“Meijer is very pleased to sponsor and participate in the International Women’s Day program. The #BalanceforBetter theme exemplifies the complexities that women, and the men who support them, face today in their societal and personal roles. The International Women’s Day programs will be instructive and inspiring for all attendees,” said Janet Kelley, Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary, Meijer Legal Department. 

The event also will include breakout sessions in which attendees will have the opportunity to engage with one another in small groups and apply what they have learned throughout the day. Breakout session leaders are Shannon Cohen, Michelle Fanroy, Dr. Avis Jones-DeWeever, and Dr. Carmen Landrau. 

“Wolverine Worldwide is honored to partner with local organizations to once again celebrate International Women’s Day,” said Dani Zizak, Vice President of Corporate Communications and Corporate Responsibility at Wolverine Worldwide. “As part of our ongoing commitment, we feel it is our privilege to help strengthen our local community by providing a forum where diverse thoughts, ideas and experiences can be shared.  We are looking forward to an exciting and engaging day of inspiring messages.” 

“International Women’s Day is a key point in the larger movement for women’s rights, and we are proud to be a part of this local event that continues to inspire and positively engage the community in West Michigan,” said Terry Barclay, President & CEO of Inforum. “We are excited for this year’s event and are honored to be joined by an impressive group of speakers and session leaders.” 

Those interested in attending the event can purchase tickets here. 

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About Amway:
Amway is an $8.8 billion direct-selling business based in Ada, Michigan, USA. Top-selling brands for Amway are Nutrilite™ vitamin, mineral and dietary supplements, Artistry™ skincare and color cosmetics, eSpring™ water treatment systems and XS™ energy drinks – all sold exclusively by Amway Business Owners. Global sales in 2016 made Amway the No. 1 direct-selling business in the world, according to the 2017 Direct Selling News Global 100. The company’s annual sales figure includes revenue from direct-selling operations and other business holdings. For company news, visit www.amwayglobal.com/newsroom. 

About Inforum Michigan: 
Inforum was founded in 1962 as the Women’s Economic Club to serve as a speakers and networking forum for women. At the time, women were not allowed to belong to existing business organizations or attend their meetings. Inforum has built on that early legacy to become the only educational and charitable nonprofit in Michigan – and one of only a few in the country – that combines strategic connections, proven professional development programs, a respected programs for new ideas, and original research to accelerate careers for women and boost talent initiatives for companies. To learn how Inforum can help you break through the glass ceiling, visit www.inforummichigan.org/. 

About Meijer:
Meijer is a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer that operates more than 240 supercenters and grocery stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin. A privately-owned and family-operated company since 1934, Meijer pioneered the “one-stop shopping” concept and has evolved through the years to include expanded fresh produce and meat departments, as well as pharmacies, comprehensive apparel departments, pet departments, garden centers, toys and electronics. For additional information on Meijer, please visit www.meijer.com. Follow Meijer on Twitter @twitter.com/Meijer and @twitter.com/MeijerPR or become a fan atwww.facebook.com/meijer. 

About Wolverine Worldwide:
With a commitment to service and product excellence, Wolverine World Wide, Inc. is one of the world's leading marketers and licensors of branded casual, active lifestyle, work, outdoor sport, athletic, children's and uniform footwear and apparel. The Company's portfolio of highly recognized brands includes: Merrell®, Sperry®, Hush Puppies®, Saucony®, Wolverine®, Keds®, Stride Rite®, Chaco®, Bates®, and HYTEST®. The Company also is the global footwear licensee of the popular brands Cat® and Harley-Davidson®.  The Company's products are carried by leading retailers in the U.S. and globally in approximately 200 countries and territories. For additional information, please visit our website, www.wolverineworldwide.com.