Empowering Women in Knoxville: Let Her Speak Initiative

Categories: CharityCommunityEvents/What's HappeningNews

Women of diverse backgrounds celebrating together at a community event in Knoxville.

News Summary

As Women’s History Month begins, Knoxville celebrates women’s achievements with the Let Her Speak initiative, founded by Catherine Porth. This nonprofit highlights stories of women leaders and entrepreneurs, aiming to foster gender equality and uplift women through various programs and cohorts. With a vision for national impact, Let Her Speak serves as a beacon of hope for women supporting one another.

Knoxville is Seeing a Wave of Women Empowerment Thanks to Let Her Speak

As March rolls in, marking Women’s History Month, Knoxville is embracing the spirit of empowerment and celebration of women’s achievements like never before. One organization leading the charge is Let Her Speak, a vibrant nonprofit founded by the inspiring Catherine Porth back in 2017. This organization serves as a powerful platform for women to share their stories and advocate for gender equality.

From Corporate Experience to Community Advocate

Catherine Porth is not just another entrepreneur; she holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Management from the esteemed University of South Carolina Darla Moore School of Business and a Master of Business Administration specializing in entrepreneurship and innovation from the University of Tennessee Haslam College of Business. With nearly a decade of experience in the corporate world, she noticed a significant gap in support for women entrepreneurs during her tenure at the Knoxville Entrepreneur Center.

Listening to Women’s Stories

Recognizing the challenges that women faced in achieving their entrepreneurial dreams, Catherine took matters into her own hands. She conducted extensive interviews with 25 women over a span of six months, diving deep into their experiences related to entrepreneurship and leadership. Their stories and insights played a crucial role in shaping the very first Women’s Summit, a gathering that addressed critical areas of concern and paved the way for future initiatives.

Growing Initiatives that Uplift Women

Since its inception, Let Her Speak has blossomed, introducing a variety of initiatives aimed at uplifting women and fostering a sense of community support. In a bold move, Catherine decided to take the organization out from under the Knoxville Entrepreneur Center’s umbrella in 2024, providing it with the freedom to expand its reach and autonomy. This courageous decision showcases her commitment to creating lasting change for women in Knoxville and beyond.

What’s Happening at Let Her Speak?

One of the exciting and upcoming initiatives is the “Let Her Lead” cohort program. This initiative is designed for both rising and established female leaders, offering them tools and resources necessary to conquer the challenges they face. Additionally, the organization is expanding its podcast, “She Speaks,” which originated during the pandemic and has been a hit among listeners. This platform allows women to share their stories and connect with others who resonate with their journeys.

A Dream of Nationwide Impact

The mission of Let Her Speak is a simple yet profound one: to create a ripple effect of positive change and boost women’s representation in leadership roles. Catherine is determined to grow this organization into a national or even global entity, reaching and empowering women across various communities.

A Family Woman at Heart

Behind the passion for women’s empowerment, Catherine is also a devoted family woman. She resides in Knoxville with her loving husband, Jack, their son Aiden, and their adorable dog Zoey. Excitingly, they are expecting their second child, a baby girl! This unique blend of personal and professional life gives Catherine a holistic perspective on the power of women supporting one another.

The Future Looks Bright!

As Knoxville continues to thrive and embrace new initiatives focused on women, Let Her Speak stands out as a beacon of hope and inspiration in the community. With Catherine Porth at the helm, the future looks bright for women’s empowerment, signaling to all that when women support each other, incredible things can happen. So, let’s celebrate Women’s History Month and keep an eye out for more positive changes on the horizon!