Hello, OWA and optical professionals!
This year at Vision Expo East the OWA celebrated 22 years of Connecting, Inspiring, and Leading the women in optical! We started the week off with our signature Champagne Breakfast and Keynote Speaker event held Thursday, March 21, at the Edison Ballroom in Manhattan. It was sponsored by Luxottica and the OWA.
We filled the ballroom with a SOLD OUT event! Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate and honor the OWA 2019 award honorees!
Our inspiring keynote speaker was Katie Taylor, Chair of the Royal Bank of Canada. Sue Downes, CEO of MyEyeDr., was the moderator.
These women exemplify true vision leadership, passion, and dedication for all to look up to. Congratulations, ladies!
On Friday, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, we hosted the OWA Star Birthday Celebration in the beautiful open-glass-ceiling atrium. The event was open to all, and over 350 people were there to enjoy the festivities with DJ April Hunt's musical accompaniment and a delicious signature pink cocktail! Thank you to the companies who donated items for the "Tell me your #DoMore" giveaway; over 20 items were raffled off to participants who submitted a "#DoMore" pledge.
I was given the last #DoMore pledge to read, submitted by Andrea Haymore of Essilor Vision Foundation: "I volunteer at my son's school as an Autism Advocate to mentor moms with newly diagnosed kiddos."
This was so close to my heart, I asked Erinn Morgan to finish reading it. Thank you, Andrea, for supporting those moms! I, too, have a precious special needs son and know first-hand how important it is in those early days to feel the compassion and support. Thanks again to everyone who participated! See more #DoMore pledges here.
Much appreciation to our diverse membership, men and women volunteers, individual contributors, and sponsor companies for supporting and sharing in the OWA vision!
Continue to #DoMore, get involved, get inspired, and enjoy a wonderful spring!
Tiara Claxton
OWA President
Named among the 50 most powerful people in Canadian business in 2017, Kathleen (Katie) Taylor delivered the keynote address during the Champagne Breakfast held at Vision Expo East.
This year at Vision Expo East, the OWA asked event attendees to "Tell Us Your #DoMore Pledges".
Do You Follow the OWA on Social Media? Check out our top Vision Expo East posts.
To support the growth of our social media presence, the OWA recently launched a new digital ambassador program. This month we're introducing you to one of them.
The OWA would like to thank our generous Platinum Sponsors for all they do to support our organization and its mission to enhance and promote the leadership role of women in the optical industry. In this issue, we invite you to meet Essilor of America's Millicent Knight, O.D.
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