“The things that hold women back, hold them back from sitting at the boardroom table and they hold women back from speaking at the PTA meeting.” 

This is a famous quote from Sheryl Sandberg. Sheryl wrote the popular book “Lean In” which discusses women in the workplace and why they haven’t moved forward in leadership roles in the last 10 years. This quote is one of her most popular, and as a woman in the business world, there are definitely times I relate to it. But I have found Athens to be a place where groups support, encourage, network, and mentor fellow women leaders in the workplace. 

One of those supporters is the Women in Business group at the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce. 

The mission of the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce is to serve its members by developing an environment conducive to business and you won’t find a more inspiring environment of women business leaders than at the Women in Business meetings. The meetings are held the first Tuesday of the month at various locations around Athens and each meeting can include topics including how to manage your finances, breast health, living well, and how to recognize and report signs of domestic abuse. Lunch is served and while the topics are wide and varied, they have a common goal of educating the audience on becoming better women leaders in our community. 

In addition to the monthly meetings, there are other ways to develop and network. There is the Women in Business book club which meets alternately at lunch and breakfast to accommodate more schedules. This dynamic group meets over breakfast or the occasional lunch to discuss books, articles, and sometimes even videos that also build leadership and networking skills. Its regular meeting is the fourth Tuesday of each month. 

Last year, the Women in Business decided to take a more proactive approach to community service so it picked several events to volunteer and build relationships. This year, it chose to support the Athens Community Council on Aging for its March for Meals 5K and 12K which raises money for Meals on Wheels; the Girl Scouts of Northeast Georgia by encouraging attendance to the Women of Distinction luncheon; and is volunteering in October for the Athens Banner-Herald’s Hunt for Hope scavenger hunt. These opportunities provide women in business an opportunity 

Our June meeting is Tuesday, June 2 and is our “after hours” event. It will be a food bus tour to some of the great food establishments around Athens. Sign up is available now and is $34/person and starts at the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce Office at 5:30 p.m. 

The Women in Business sector of the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce is one way to reach outside of your comfort zone and become a better leader. 

If you are a women business owner or if you work with women who are interested in developing their networking and leadership skills, I encourage you to join the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce and come to one of our next meetings. 

Women in Business is a great way to make new friends, network your business and build your confidence in your professional career and develop your leadership potential. 

KaDee Holt, Chief Marketing Officer for the Athens Community Council on Aging and 2015 Chair of Women in Business.