Women of Toledo

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Women of Toledo Women of Toledo advocates for diversity and inclusion with a focus on economic empowerment.

10/19/2026

Last Saturday, we kicked off our buildHERstudio Fall 2026 Cohort with a very special workshop dedicated to local breast cancer fighters and survivors, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the International Day of the Girl! 🎀✨

Thanks to our incredible community, we built over 20 Strength and Self-Care Boxes with 5 fully sponsored, each packed with gifts from 14 wishlist categories! Thank you to the Susan G. Komen NW Ohio team and everyone who donated from our wishlist for their generous gifts 💝

We also heard a powerful presentation from Malaika Bell (Healthy Connections Director at YWCA) on early detection and risk reduction. Thank you for spreading awareness across the Toledo community 💖

Friends, family and supporters rolled up their sleeves to drill, stain, and stuff under the guidance of our lead instructors, Julia LaBay and Megan Powell. Each box is headed straight into the hands of a local breast cancer warrior to show them they aren’t alone in this fight! To continue support, we are accepting donations from our Amazon Wishlist all through October! Let’s help our community not just survive, but thrive.
🎁 Click the link here or in our bio! https://a.co/08tEG5ii

P.S. It’s not too late to join buildHERstudio! For youth ages 12–17, workshops take place two Saturdays a month (Oct–Dec) to build business skills, leadership, and hands-on confidence. Apply online or grab a packet at our next workshop on October 24th!

Meet our new Board Member: Melissa Luthman! 🌟Melissa brings an incredible wealth of experience, passion, and dedication ...
10/18/2026

Meet our new Board Member: Melissa Luthman! 🌟

Melissa brings an incredible wealth of experience, passion, and dedication to our mission. As the Steinem Sisters Collection Librarian for the Toledo Lucas County Public Library, she champions women’s historical, cultural, and political contributions, creating inclusive spaces where women from all reaches can share their journeys and advocate for intersectional equality.

With 15 years in libraries and museums, a BA in American History from Ohio University, and an MA in American Studies from George Washington University, Melissa is a powerhouse in public history and community education. Her deep commitment to advocacy and community connection extends to monthly book club meetings, feminist talking circles, and intimate partner violence prevention, including her work hosting the annual Northwest Ohio Silent Witness Project which honors the lives of women and girls murdered by a partner, spouse, or stalker.

We are so fortunate to have her expertise and leadership guiding our board. Welcome aboard Melissa!

✨Stay tuned for more updates and introductions from our Board of Directors!

The Board of Directors of Women of Toledo is pleased to announce that Tracci K. Johnson will join the organization as it...
10/13/2026

The Board of Directors of Women of Toledo is pleased to announce that Tracci K. Johnson will join the organization as its Executive Director! ✨

Tracci brings more than three decades of leadership in education and community service, and she knows Toledo well. A University of Toledo alumna with a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance, she spent more than 17 years at UT, leading student activities and leadership programs, directing student conduct, and serving as Associate Dean of Students. She taught leadership and diversity courses and was recognized with the Outstanding University Woman award and the Lancelot Thompson Service to Students Award. She went on to earn an MBA from Temple University and to serve as a dean of students at institutions in Virginia, California, and Michigan, where she oversaw large teams and wide-ranging student support programs.

Most recently, Tracci has served as Executive Director of the Monroe Street Neighborhood Center in Toledo, where she has led fundraising and management for programs including a weekly food pantry, a tiny homes project, a summer literacy program for children, and senior wellness services. She also serves on the Zepf Center Board of Trustees. Tracci has spoken at state and national conferences on women in leadership, mentorship, and diversity and inclusion, themes that echo the heart of our mission here at Women of Toledo.

Tracci steps into the role as Women of Toledo enters an important chapter of growth and transition after more than 10 years serving northwest Ohio. Selected for the experience, leadership, and the unique perspective she brings, the Board of Directors is confident she will help strengthen the organization’s foundation, support its staff and programs, and advance its mission to educate, engage, and empower women and youth.

Please give a warm welcome to Tracci! 👏

Today, on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Women of Toledo acknowledges and honors the past, present, and future of Indigenous c...
10/12/2026

Today, on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Women of Toledo acknowledges and honors the past, present, and future of Indigenous communities across our region.

Toledo resides on the ancestral homelands of the Erie, Kickapoo, Odawa, and Seneca peoples, and serves as a historical gathering and trading place for many nations, including the Lenape, Miami, Ojibway, Peoria, Potawatomi, Sauk, Shawnee, and Wyandotte. We thank these stewards for their enduring resilience and care for this land. The complex history of colonialism and its impact through assimilation, violence, and erasure must be understood in its context towards Native ancestral traditions, connections, and culture. Addressing these dynamics opens opportunities towards authentic relationships with Indigenous communities and helping dismantle systemic invisibility.

Together, we honor those who came before us, celebrate the vibrant diversity of Indigenous peoples today, and work toward a more just and inclusive future. 🧡

Meet our new Board Member: Meredith Soleau! 🌟With over 20 years of expertise in automotive sales, marketing, and human r...
10/11/2026

Meet our new Board Member: Meredith Soleau! 🌟

With over 20 years of expertise in automotive sales, marketing, and human resources, Meredith knows what truly makes people move. From scaling manufacturing, healthcare and nonprofit brands to building successful political campaigns and small businesses across the Midwest, she bridges the gap between digital strategy and genuine human connection.

Beyond her agency, Meredith is a passionate champion for women in business. As the founder of the 419 Girls community, now nearly 20,000 strong across Northwest Ohio, she’s built a local economic engine connecting women to jobs, mentorship, and opportunities. That same commitment drives 424 Degrees, which proudly fosters a female-led team rooted in collaboration and growth.

Creative, outspoken, and always unapologetically herself, Meredith believes the best marketing never feels like marketing at all; it feels authentically human.

We only look forward to the inspirational, engaging paths Meredith will lead Women of Toledo!

✨Stay tuned for more updates and introductions from our Board of Directors!

What an amazing way to start a Friday! 🤩 Jada, a young leader in the making at Jones Leadership Academy of Business (JLA...
10/09/2026

What an amazing way to start a Friday! 🤩

Jada, a young leader in the making at Jones Leadership Academy of Business (JLAB), visited our table at Care for Kid’s IMPACT 2026 conference and nominated a $1,000 donation towards the organization! We’re so grateful towards Jada and the folks at Care for Kids and JLAB for this generous gift.

This $1,000 will be funneled directly into our mission of supporting women, including advocacy, youth programming, and economic empowerment. Thank you all for standing alongside us; together, we can create accessible opportunities for women and girls in the Greater Toledo area. 💪✨

10/07/2026

This week, Megan and Julia are prepping wood for something powerful. 🛠️✨

Join us for BuildForHer: Boxes of Strength! This FREE workshop brings women and girls (12+) together to build 40 personalized self-care boxes for breast cancer survivors. This workshop runs from 10 AM – 1 PM.

💪 Get involved!

• Sponsor a Box ($50): Leave a personal message to someone you’re fighting for.

• Donate Items: Help fill the boxes via our Amazon Wishlist (socks, lotions, headwraps, etc.)

We build boxes in conjunction with buildHERstudio workshops! Girls Hub alumni can apply for our Fall 2026 Cohort.

🔗 Head to our website link in our bio to register, sponsor, or donate!

10/05/2026

Last Thursday, we kicked off our Fall 2026 Cohort of our Northwest Ohio Business Mentoring Program (NWOBMP)! Over 30 business owners, community leaders, and organization partners came together for purposeful networking and speed mentoring, rotating every few minutes to exchange practical advice, insights, and encouragement.

👏 This was also the first kickoff led by our new Program Coordinator, Eljay Knowles, who’s been an incredible addition to our team and an impactful leader for NWOBMP.

🎤 The voice you hear is Whitney Espinoza, a mentee who strives to start up an HR business that helps small businesses get off the ground. Through our speed mentoring, Whitney was able to speak with an array of mentors and professionals who opened the door to various areas of expertise to build her business.

We saw sparks fly on Thursday, where the possibilities for our mentors and mentees are countless. We can’t wait to see each of these professionals connect, exchange resources, and grow.

Thank you Metroparks Toledo for the venue at the Glass City Enrichment Center! 🌳

If you came to our Kickoff, let us know how we did! Visit womenoftoledo.org/nwohiobusinessmentorship to give us feedback through surveys.

Meet our new Board Member: Amy Conners! 🌟With over two decades of healthcare administration experience, Amy brings an in...
10/04/2026

Meet our new Board Member: Amy Conners! 🌟

With over two decades of healthcare administration experience, Amy brings an incredible track record of leadership and operational excellence to our team. Currently serving as the Associate Vice President for Laboratory Services at ProMedica Health System, she oversees all lab operations, 30+ outreach labs, and clinical, anatomic, and specialty testing across Michigan and Ohio. Throughout her impressive career spanning for-profit, not-for-profit, and major academic systems, including St. Joseph Mercy, Detroit Medical Center, and Beaumont/Corewell Health, she has successfully led profitable business ventures, navigated complex organizational transitions, and directed strategic performance and regulatory compliance.

Amy holds a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology from Wayne State University, a Master’s in Healthcare Administration from Central Michigan University, and a certification in Laboratory Molecular Diagnostics from Michigan State University. Deeply rooted in the Midwest and passionate about community service and equity, she also loves spending time with her husband, Phil, her family, and their dog, Tiny.

We are thrilled to have her strategic vision and governance on Women of Toledo’s leadership team! 💙

✨Stay tuned for more updates and introductions from our Board of Directors!

Address

3rd Floor, 425 Jefferson Avenue
Toledo, OH
43604

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5:30pm

Telephone

+15679707172

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