KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- — The Kansas City, Kansas, Women's Chamber of Commerce is celebrating its 100th anniversary. However, today is a much different era than a century ago.
The Women's Chamber is dissolving and is forming a Women's Chamber Network with the main Kansas City, Kansas, Chamber of Commerce.
"Our goal is to continue to make this chamber the most progressive chamber possible, the most inclusive chamber, and this roll-out of the Women's Chamber Network is extremely exciting for those reasons," Daniel Silva, president of the KCK Chamber, said.
The Women's Chamber Network (WCN) is focused solely on women in leadership and business. Women have made valuable contributions to society for all of these years, but now they will be in the mainstream.
"Even though women are equal in the workplace now, I believe 100 percent we still have some unique challenges, so I think the programs that will be designed for this new network is going to help us rise to those new challenges," Cathy Harding said, president of the KCK women's chamber.
The WCN will offer different programs for women executives, mid-managers and young professionals. It will offer opportunities for leadership development and networking.
The chamber plans to hold over a dozen events throughout the year.
Harding said it's critical that women be a major part of establishing and directing policy, specifically around issues like discrimination and inclusion. The WCN aims to open more doors for women to do that.
Lisa Peña is the founder and owner of Urban Hikes Kansas City, an organization that leads groups of people on five-mile urban hikes around KCK and downtown Kansas City, Missouri. It promotes wellness and highlights the cities' history.
Peña is a member of the KCK chamber and is excited to get involved with the WCN.
"I really think that this organization is going to be an opportunity for us to lift each other up," Peña said. "When women get together and we encourage each other, really great things happen."
