ABWA - Empowered Professionals of Central Illinois

04/09/2026

ABWA sisters… who’s up for a ladies' night? ❤️

I’m planning to go see The Devil Wears Prada 2 on Friday, May 1st, and it feels like the perfect excuse to get together.

Shall we wear red? 🔥

Let me know if you want to join. It would be so much fun to go as a group!

04/01/2026

These are the amazing women shaping communities across Illinois.

As we close out our celebration, DCEO is proud to celebrate our women in leadership.

The women of DCEO leadership are dedicated to creating a strong economic ecosystem ensuring Illinois remains the best place to live, work, and do business. 💼

03/24/2026

This Women’s History Month, let's recognize and celebrate the truth: change doesn’t happen without women.

03/20/2026

Join us for our next ABWA Empowered Professionals of Central Illinois event.

We’re excited to welcome Tiara Randle for a presentation on Finding Your Voice. This is a great opportunity to connect with fellow members and focus on your professional growth and development.

We hope you’ll join us.

03/17/2026

For much of American history, women were denied rights that many people now take for granted. Yet during those same years, women were inventing, discovering, leading, competing, and changing the world anyway.

This Women’s History Month, we recognize both timelines: the fight for rights and the remarkable accomplishments women achieved along the way.

Women have always been innovators, leaders, pioneers, and champions. Their accomplishments did not begin when rights expanded.

They existed long before equality caught up.

Happy Women’s History Month from the Empowered Professionals of Central Illinois Chapter of ABWA.

03/14/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1E17NtYtaC/?mibextid=wwXIfr

03/09/2026

Yesterday was International Women's Day, and while the calendar marks a single day to celebrate women, the truth is that the impact of women is something we see every day.

In our ABWA Empowered Professionals of Central Illinois chapter, I am constantly inspired by women who lead with courage, support one another, pursue growth, and lift others along the way. Whether it is through mentorship, professional development, entrepreneurship, or simply showing up for each other, the strength of women working together is powerful.

Progress is built when women encourage women. When we share knowledge. When we open doors. When we remind each other that our voices, ideas, and leadership matter.

Today, and every day, we celebrate the women who are building businesses, strengthening communities, supporting families, and shaping the future.

Keep learning. Keep leading. Keep lifting each other up.

03/03/2026

Join us for another great presentation!

03/02/2026

02/16/2026

Happy President’s Day from ABWA Empowered Professionals of Central Illinois!

Today we recognize leadership, resilience, and service, values that also guide the incredible women in our ABWA community every day.

May this holiday be a reminder that leadership doesn’t only happen in the Oval Office. It happens in boardrooms, classrooms, small businesses, nonprofits, and living rooms. It happens when women show up, support one another, and keep moving forward, even when it’s hard.

Enjoy the day, take a moment to recharge, and let’s continue leading with purpose, confidence, and community.💙

02/12/2026

So grateful for today’s ABWA meeting and the powerful message from Vivian Kong Doctora.

Vivian spoke beautifully about empowerment through choice, direction, and response, reminding us that we are in control and we control our destiny.

She shared a quote from Wes Moore that really stayed with her:

“I would rather flirt with failure than never dance with my joy.”

Vivian added something just as powerful:

✨ Your joy is not a luxury. It is a compass, and it will always point you toward your purpose.
✨ Doubt will always be there, but regret stays longer.

She opened up about the joys and pains of leaving her 9–5, stepping into entrepreneurship, and learning that even the “bad” decisions carry lessons. Detours are not dead ends. Sometimes they become the very foundation we build from (including paths we never planned, like restaurant ownership).

One of my favorite takeaways:
✨ The magic happens when you give yourself the creativity to choose your path.

Thank you, Vivian, for sharing your story and your heart for helping others pursue their dreams. And grateful, as always, for our community through the American Business Women’s Association. Today was a beautiful reminder that empowerment starts within and grows when we lift each other up. 💛