The first annual Women Inspiring Women Luncheon will be held in conjunction with the United Tribes Tribal Leaders Summit Friday, September 5th at 12:30 pm at the Bismarck Civic Center Arena. Summit organizer Janet Thomas, and Marlo Hunte-Beaubrun, who is involved with Women Inspiring Women on a national level, are collaborating on this luncheon. They have assembled an extraordinary panel of women who will cover a wide range of topics.
The public is invited to attend and take advantage of this unique opportunity to learn from others, network, meet other women and take advantage of the United Tribes Tribal Leaders Summit cultural experience.
Each woman on the panel was chosen for a specific area of expertise or experience they can bring to the table. Make plans to attend this educational and inspiring luncheon.
Bennae Calac, San Diego
Bennae is from Pauma Valley, California and a member of Pauma Band of Luiseno Indians. She is a former council woman for her tribe, business woman, entrepreneur, mom and a real feisty lady. She is currently the owner of Native American Marketing, Inc., a unique partnership between herself, and Catalyst Marketing Company. Native American Marketing was created to serve the distinct and specialized marketing needs of Native American owned businesses and those doing business in Indian Country.
Deb Eslinger, Bismarck
Deb Eslinger was born and raised in Bismarck, ND and resides here with her husband and two beautiful girls. She currently holds the position of Executive Director for the Center for Technology & Business, which acts as the Women’s Business Center for ND. She is an entrepreneurial and visionary leader, driven to employ innovative techniques to explore potential, obliterate boundaries, and push the outer edge of what can be accomplished. Deb has been involved with business development for the past 16 years. Owning her own business for 10 years, she knows what it takes to start and run a successful operation. After selling that company in 2007, she followed her passions of wanting to help others achieve success through business development and leadership development. Being in the trenches with the entrepreneurs celebrating their 1st or 100th sale brings a smile to her face. As a certified John Maxwell Trainer, Speaker and Coach; Deb is a passionate entrepreneur who uses her skill sets to help others launch and grow their dreams.
Pamela Palmater, Toronto
Dr. Pamela D. Palmater is a Mi’kmaw citizen and member of the Eel River Bar First Nation in northern New Brunswick. She is a mother of two boys, Mitchell and Jeremy ages 20 and 18 and comes from a large family of 8 sisters and 3 brothers. She has been a practicing lawyer for 14 years and she holds the position of Associate Professor and Chair in Indigenous Governance in the Department of Politics and Public Administration, and heads the Centre for Indigenous Governance at Ryerson University. Pam’s area of expertise is in Indigenous law, politics, and governance. She was the first woman to run for National Chief in Canada.
Deborah Parker, Tulalip, WA
Deborah is the Vice-chair of Tulalip Tribe in Washington state. She is a women’s advocate for women’s rights and violence against women. She played a key role testifying to Congress during the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) debate. Parker joined U.S. Senators Patty Murray, Barbara Boxer and Amy Klobuchar in advocating the passage of the reauthorization of the VAWA in 2012. She delivered a firsthand account of her own abuse, and the importance of VAWA.
Heather Demery from Bismarck will also be on the panel. She is a single mom and a student at United Tribes.
Tickets are $15.00 and are available in advance from Janet Thomas, jthomas@uttc.edu or Marlo Hunte-Beaubrun, marlo@gpeca.com / 701.425.1980. Tickets will be sold at the door, if not sold out in advance.