By Barbara Davis | Staff Reporter
International Women’s Day in Southeast Texas served as a focal point for a week of women-focused initiatives and events, with the Rotary Club of Beaumont setting aside the group’s regular monthly meeting in lieu of service and celebration on March 8 featuring a seven-member, all-female panel sponsored by ExxonMobil.
Featuring all the flair of Southeast Texas Mardi Gras, the event included a crowd favorite Second Line performance by the Beaumont United High School band, a delicious Cajun-inspired meal, and a traditional Second Line umbrella-decorating contest to raise funds for the organization’s efforts.
Beaumont Area Public & Government Affairs Manager Nakisha Burns, with ExxonMobil, served as Mistress of Ceremonies for the panel discussion, which was filled with Regional Economic Development Initiative President Jessica Hill; Workforce Solutions of SETX’s Pamela Wise; BISD’s Dr. Donna Prudhomme; West Gulf Maritime Association President Shareen Larmond; Lamar University Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering E. Annette Hernandez; Golden Triangle Business Roundtable’s Katie Celli; and LIT’s Tiffany Parker.
Representing women in the workforce, the panel addressed ways they have, and continue to, encourage women workers in an array of fields throughout the community.
Prudhomme addressed Beaumont ISD’s efforts to prepare students for the booming Southeast Texas economy, stating that career and technical education efforts are consistently being implemented to ensure students are ready for the workforce, offering 24 programs of study in the career and technical education department, allowing students to earn industry-based certifications.
Celli addressed local industry initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion, including training offered at ISTC, not only with regard to cultural diversity and inclusion, but taking gender equality into account, as well.
“In the state of Texas, women make 35 cents on the dollar to their male counterparts,” Celli said, pointing out that change will begin from the top, and by example.
Larmond, at the top of her field and hoping to see other women next to her, recommends that women begin their industrial careers by getting comfortable with saying and receiving the word “No.”
“I think, a lot of times, we don’t know our own power and what we bring to the table,” Larmond explained. “We’re being asked to do a lot of things, like make the coffee, and write the notes, when we can contribute so much more, so don’t be afraid to say ‘no’ in circumstances you’re not comfortable with, or when you can assert more of your power.”
An afternoon of inspiration and encouragement was concluded with a standing ovation for the panel offering their unique insight as professional women in male-dominated industry.