A Hub for Women—and Those Who Support Them
While Empower Spokane was born from one woman’s need for community, it has become a hub for all women and allies who believe in empowerment, equity, and self-determination. The site now includes a community calendar, a list of women-owned businesses and women-led organizations, and curated resources for those seeking their own version of “the right room.”
And if Empower Spokane isn’t your right room? That’s okay too. Part of the mission is to help every woman find her tribe—even if it’s not this one.
Because at its core, Empower Spokane isn’t about exclusivity. It’s about belonging, building, and believing that we’re stronger together.
What Empower Spokane Stands For
Empower Spokane is not just a networking group. It’s a movement rooted in connection, community, and collective impact. It’s for women who believe in doing better and being better—not just in business, but in how we show up for each other and our city.
It’s designed to feel like you’ve known everyone for years, even if you just met. Here, clicks are broken down, not built up. The goal isn’t to pitch—it’s to connect. Deeply. Authentically. Boldly.
Empower Spokane also exists to give back. Event fees are minimal—just enough to ensure commitment—and half of every fee goes into a community giving fund. At the end of the year, attendees vote on which local nonprofit to support with those funds. The group has also supported initiatives like Gonzaga Haven, helping women reenter the workforce with confidence and connections.
Looking ahead, the vision includes building a bridge between generations—bringing college students and recent grads into the room with business professionals, executives, and entrepreneurs to have open conversations and build meaningful networks. She wants young women to know that in Spokane, they’re not starting from scratch—they’re starting with support.
“I raise up my voice—not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard.”
— Malala Yousafzai
The Story Behind Empower Spokane
Empower Spokane began with a simple, heartfelt intention: connection. After attending over ten networking events in the Spokane area, Stephanie—a business owner, consultant, and entrepreneur with a corporate background—still hadn’t found her tribe. The events she attended felt either overly rigid and corporate or small business-centric and cliquish. Some limited participation by industry, others felt more performative than personal. And most importantly, none felt like home.
So, she decided to build her own table.
It started with a casual lunch—just a few women Stephanie admired, had met through those various events, and wanted to get to know better. That single gathering sparked something deeper. Conversations flowed easily, rooted in mutual respect and shared values. It felt like reconnecting with old friends, even for those meeting for the first time.
As more women were invited and began showing up, the group began to grow organically. But as time passed, attendance became inconsistent. Some members dropped off. Others would RSVP and not show up. Stephanie saw a clear need: not just for casual connection, but for a structure that could support deeper relationships and shared purpose.
That’s when Empower Spokane truly came to life—not as a business or a membership model, but as a passion project and community connector. A space where progressive-minded, growth-oriented women and women-identifying individuals could come together to feel safe, seen, and supported.
