By Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
A new event will take place Oct. 14 and 15 in Port Hope, and Maria Papaioannoy addressed Cobourg council at Monday’s committee-of-the-whole session to tell them all about it – the Northumberland Expo for Women.
The Cobourg resident moved to town in 2016 with her husband and opened a business in downtown Port Hope, during which time, “our hearts have been attuned to the rhythm of this vibrant community – not only Cobourg but Northumberland as well.”
Her approaching 50th birthday determined to observe it in a meaningful way, which is the genesis of her joining forces with Signe Langford to organize the NEW event that would allow women to “voice their thoughts and inspire everyone around them…a platform where the outstanding women of Northumberland County could showcase their talents and other could learn,” she said – “network, learn and uplift one another.”
Papaioannoy described an impressive line-up of speakers who will offer such events as leadership workshops and career-development sessions, but noted that the opportunity for networking could also hold a great deal of promise for participants.
“When one woman is empowered, her entire community benefits,” she stated.
Her request of council and municipal staff was not for money or an in-kind donation, Papaioannoy said, but “a feel-good request” – to spread the news of the coming event with the women in their lives.
“We do need to celebrate the incredible female stewardship and leadership in this community,” Mayor Lucas Cleveland agreed.
The event will take place at OfficeLinx in Port Hope at 115 Toronto Rd., Papaioannoy said, and schedules of speakers and events can be found on their social-media platform at @northumberlandexpowomen
