Organizer Tangela JohnsonIF YOU GOWhat: Stilettos and Grace Network for Professional and Business WomenWhen: Friday, 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.Where: North Georgia Center for Educational Excellence, 113 W. Gordon S.Cost: FreeSpace is limited, so reservations are required. Visit www.ngcee.com or call 706-529-2800
DALTON, Ga. — Women need to learn to be courageous and to value the importance of what they bring to the table.
That is the idea behind the Stilettos and Grace Network, organized by Tangela Johnson, a consultant and president of North Georgia Center for Educational Excellence.
The group will meet once a month in Dalton to discuss everything from leadership and parenting to fashion and photography. Each month will feature a different woman business owner or professional as a subject-matter expert.
“Stilettos and Grace is really about helping women find their voice and who they are called to be, whether that is an entrepreneur or a stay-at-home mom,” Johnson said. “You have to understand your value, to voice what you are passionate about. It might be brilliant or it might be just mediocre, but you have to offer what you believe in.”
Johnson serves on various boards in Dalton, including the charter commission looking at a possible city and county merger.
She said she realized the need for a network after seeing how differently men and women interact in the business world. Men network and share contacts while they play golf together or when they meet at sports or other events. If women do meet in groups, talk often centers around their children. They are often more reluctant to ask for changes or share their ideas in the business world, Johnson said.
“This is nothing against men — women have unique needs,” she said.
Agnes Richmond, who works in health care marketing, agreed. She is excited about the new organization and plans to become involved.
“It seems like men do a better job of networking with one another and making those business contacts,” Richmond said. “Women need to get smart about this to create their same networking opportunities.”
Johnson said she does not have any definite plans for the new group, but she already knows she wants to find ways to mentor young women and encourage women to become more involved in shaping the future of their communities.
“I’m very results oriented, so I want this to make a difference,” she said. “I want this organization to be fun, but I also want to find ways we can support each other.”