LONGSWAMP TOWNSHIP, Pa. — As National Women’s Month wound down Friday, a group of career women gathered with some colleagues for a warm and cheerful business luncheon.
But it wasn't business as usual for the guests who gathered in the ballroom at Bear Creek Mountain Resort. For them, it was a breather in a world of opportunity.
A handful of women from Sixth Street Shelter in Allentown were treated to a luncheon to wrap up National Women’s Month.
"This luncheon is like so special for the moms that we have at the shelter because sometimes they don't have time to break away and just breathe and rest a little bit," <br/>"So I'm very grateful to be able to collaborate with Bear Creek.”Sixth Street Shelter Director Robbie Matthews
"This luncheon is like so special for the moms that we have at the shelter, because sometimes they don't have time to break away and just breathe and rest a little bit," shelter Director Robbie Matthews said.
"So I'm very grateful to be able to collaborate with Bear Creek.”
Matthews was integral in getting the ladies to and from the event.
Bear Creek Mountain Resort is a woman-owned facility, and a few of their female executives sat and talked with the women from the shelter about their lives and future career goals.
"We've invited the Sixth Street women's shelter to come and see the resorts, have lunch with us along with a lot of our other women managers, to just kind of explain what we do here," the resort’s Conference Services Manager, Lacey Woodrow, said.
"And I was also telling everyone that we are a women-owned business, and our general manager is a woman also.
"It's an opportunity for them to see what is possible in terms of women leadership and tell a little bit about what we do, in hopes that maybe if they are interested in learning more about business and getting into something in this field, we can be a resource to them to help with that.”
'To see what women can achieve'
Matthews said she often speaks with women about their purpose, and this is another way to help them identify that.
"When you can see someone else that looks like you or believes like you aspire, it definitely is a push for you to move forward."Robbie Matthews, director, Sixth Street shelter
"When you can see someone else that looks like you or believes like you aspire, it definitely is a push for you to move forward,” she said.
Jelitza Ortiz, of Allentown, is working to move out of the shelter on her own.
"Now, and even more so in the past, being a woman has kind of been something that we got to work against," Ortiz said. "But their inspiration, to know that it's doable and you can achieve things, it's nice to see."
Ortiz also brought her 9-year-old daughter, Jaidalys Fritch, to the power lunch Friday.
"I think it's great for her to see, especially growing up at her age, now being able to see what women can achieve,” the mother said.
"I know she sees what I can achieve, but seeing other women and being around women and knowing that she's able to do anything she sets her mind to."
Sixth Street Shelter collaborated with Perfect Fit to clothe the women for the occasion.
Sixth Street Shelter provides short-term housing to families and connects them with programs that help them secure housing and jobs.
