EDMONDS — This year’s Edmonds International Women’s Day celebration includes brunch and a hockey game.
The two-part event will be held Friday, March 8.
The Ladies Who Brunch event will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Edmonds Waterfront Center, followed by a group outing at 7 p.m. to watch the Seattle Kraken battle the Winnipeg Jets.
But it’s not just any game. The Kraken will honor several women and girls during the matchup.
“It’s Women in Hockey Night at Climate Pledge Arena,” said Alicia Crank, the event’s organizer. Crank is executive director of Seattle CityClub, a nonprofit that aims to boost Puget Sound’s civic health. She is also Connector-In-Chief at Crank’d Up Consulting, which offers meeting, event and fundraising management to nonprofits and small businesses.
“As someone who is passionate about women in sports, this event should be impactful,” Crank said. “We will also take a handful of girls in the Edmonds School District to the game.”
This year’s theme is #InspireInclusion with a sub-theme “Rulebreakers and (good) troublemakers,” Crank said. “When we inspire others to understand and value women’s inclusion, we forge a better world. And when women themselves are inspired to be included, there’s a sense of belonging, relevance and empowerment.”
This year’s keynote speaker is Katie Townsend, the Kraken’s senior vice president for marketing and communications.
Townsend, a former BBC News producer, will talk about the journey to build the NHL franchise, and how diversity has been the key to what they’ve achieved, Crank said.
In its sixth year, the Edmonds International Women’s Day celebration started as a one-time event in 2019 to help underserved girls and women. Since then, it has grown into an annual event.
“We are still grassroots, but we also partner with local businesses as sponsors to keep the event free for community members,” Crank said.
Besides Townsend, this year’s guest speakers include:
• Mary Anderson, a trial and appellate attorney. In addition to 12 years of experience as a trial attorney, Anderson also operated her own construction firm, ran a mortgage brokerage firm and worked as a real estate agent. She ran for Snohomish County Superior Court judge last year.
• Casey Davis, executive director of the Edmonds Food Bank.
• Ilona Lohrey, resident & CEO of Greater Seattle Business Association.
“I am grateful to longtime supporters Cline Jewelers, DME CPA Group, Feedme Hospitality & Restaurant Group, Edmonds Waterfront Center, Ombu Salon + Spa, Walnut Street Coffee, Girls on the Run Snohomish County, and The Agency | Sittauer Gouge Group for coming on as early supporters,” Crank said.
She added: “Sponsorships help to underwrite the events and make them financially accessible to women in our community.”
Tickets for the brunch are $25 per person. Special group ticket pricing is available for the Seattle Kraken game. For more information or to purchase tickets for either or both events go to: www.crankdup.co.
Janice Podsada: 425-339-3097; jpodsada@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @JanicePods.
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