The 5th Annual New Directions EmpowHER Event

Theme:  Vogue Presence: Where Your Voice Leads, Change Follows

Hosted by:  New Directions Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Center of Knox County

Event Details

Date: Friday, March 13, 2026

Location: Kenyon Lowery Center

Doors Open: 5:00 PM

Dinner Opens: 6:15 PM

Purpose

The 5th Annual New Directions EmpowHER Event honors International Women’s Day by celebrating, uplifting, and amplifying the voices of women and girls in Knox County. This vibrant, community-centered event creates intentional space for connection, inspiration, and growth—centering women as leaders, storytellers, and changemakers who shape our families, workplaces, and communities.

Vogue Presence affirms that being seen, heard, and valued is essential to empowerment. Through confidence, self-expression, and authenticity, women are encouraged to take up space, claim their voice, and lead with purpose. Leadership is not defined by titles or positions, but by how women show up, speak out, and act with intention.

By highlighting women-owned small businesses, featuring an empowering guest speaker, and honoring remarkable community members through awards such as EmpowHER, Heart Award, Grit and Grace, Raising the Bar, and Vision Builder, the event moves empowerment from belief to behavior—recognizing both visible leadership and the quiet, consistent impact women make every day.

Together, we rise—bold in our presence, rooted in our purpose, and unwavering in our power. When women claim their voice and lead with authenticity, they don’t just change their own lives—they transform communities.

What to Expect

• Celebrate Women’s Achievements
• Honor remarkable women in our community through meaningful awards recognizing leadership, resilience, and impact.
• Shop & Mingle
• Explore a vibrant pre-event marketplace featuring local women-owned businesses while connecting with fellow attendees.
• Inspiring Presentations
• Be energized by an empowering guest speaker who will spark confidence, purpose, and the drive to thrive.
• Delicious Dinner
• Enjoy a buffet-style meal while building connections with a dynamic, supportive community of women.

Tickets

All tickets include event entry, dinner & beverages, and access to the open bar. Valid ID required for alcohol service (21+).

Ticket Options:

• Individual Ticket: $75
• Half Table (5 tickets): $375
• Full Table (10 tickets): $750

Ticket Sales Deadline: March 6, 2026 or until sold out.

How to Purchase Tickets

Email us with the following:

• Subject Line: EmpowHER Tickets
  
• Name
  
• Contact Information
  
• Number of tickets requested
  
• Preferred payment option (Venmo, PayPal, or Invoice)

New Directions will confirm your table and/or tickets via email. Confirmation emails are sent in the order requests are received (based on date and time). Payment instructions will be included in the confirmation email.

All ticket sales are final. Tickets may be transferred with advance notice.

Attire: Vogue Presence Chic

This is your moment to show up with confidence and creativity. Vogue Presence invites you to express your personal style—bold, elegant, powerful, or playful. Wear the outfit you’ve been saving for the right occasion.

This is the occasion.

Think fashion-forward, elevated, and authentic:

• Cocktail attire with a twist
  
• Statement pieces, pops of color, or classic black with flair
  
• Suits, dresses, jumpsuits, or chic separates
  
• Patterns, textures, metallics, artistic prints, layered looks, or fashion-forward designs

This isn’t about fitting in—it’s about standing out. When you feel confident in what you wear, your presence speaks volumes.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Every sponsorship directly supports New Directions’ mission to uplift, empower, and amplify the voices of women and girls in Knox County.

Sponsorship Deadline: February 20, 2026

Empowerment Champion – $2,500 (2 Available)

• Recognition during the event and across New Directions social media
  
• Prominent logo placement on event materials
  
• Custom banner displayed at the event
  
• Complimentary full table (10 seats), including dinner, beverages, and sponsor gifts

Change Maker – $1,000 (3 Available)

• Recognition as Entertainment Sponsor (DJ, Photographer, & Photobooth)
• Recognition on event materials
• Social media acknowledgment
• 5 complimentary seats, including dinner, beverages, and sponsor gifts

Award Sponsor – $500 (4 Available)

• Recognition during the award presentation
  
• Recognition on award-specific marketing materials
  
• Social media acknowledgment
  
• 5 complimentary sponsor gifts

Vogue Editor – $250 (Unlimited)

• Recognition on event materials
  
• Social media acknowledgment
  
• 2 complimentary sponsor gifts

To sponsor this event, email us. Logos must be submitted by March 1, 2026. Donations of products, certificates, or goods for award winners are also welcome.

Vendor Information

Vendor Fee: $75

Optional: Add one additional vendor support person for $25

Vendor Application Deadline: February 20, 2026

Vendor spaces are limited and subject to approval.

Vendor Package Includes:

• Full access to the event, including dinner, beverages, open bar, entertainment, and seating
• Opportunity to showcase and sell products or services
• Networking with business owners and community leaders
• Promotion on New Directions’ social media platforms
• One 8-foot table with a white tablecloth

Why Vend at EmpowHER 

As a valued vendor, your participation places your business in front of an engaged audience of approximately 300 women who are excited to support women-owned businesses and community entrepreneurs.



Vendor Setup Times:

• 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
• 3:00 PM – 4:45 PM

All vendor tables must be fully set up by 4:45 PM. Electricity and Wi-Fi are not guaranteed.

Event Timeline

• 5:00 – 6:30 PM: Shop, Mingle, and Connect
• 6:30 PM: Dinner Served (Buffet Style)
• 7:45 PM: Program & Award Presentations Begin
• Prime Shopping Time: 5:00 – 7:15 PM

Award Details

Award Categories

• EmpowHER Award: Honors a woman whose achievements and influence empower others
• Heart Award: Recognizes a dedicated front-line worker exemplifying compassion and resilience
• Grit and Grace Award: Honors a single mother demonstrating unwavering strength and perseverance
• Raising the Bar Award: Celebrates a woman with 20+ years of excellence in her field
• Vision Builder Award: Recognizes a woman with less than 10 years of experience making a powerful impact

Eligibility: Women who live or work in Knox County

Who May Nominate: Community members, colleagues, and peers. Self-nominations are accepted.

Nomination Deadline: February 6, 2026 at 11:59 PM

Girl Power Scholarship

New Directions encourages High School Senior girls who live or attend school in Knox County to apply for the Girl Power Scholarship.

Scholarship Award

• $2,500 toward furthering the recipient’s education
• The recipient will be invited to read her essay at the EmpowHER Event on Friday, March 13, 2026

Application Requirements

• Reflective essay using one (1) quote listed below
• Maximum of 2 pages
• Times New Roman, 12-point font
• Double-spaced
• Submission must be an attached document (not in the email body)

Submit To: empowhernewdirections@gmail.com

Email Subject: (Your Name), Scholarship App

Girl Power Scholarship Quotes (Choose One)

• “You’re under no obligation to be who people think you are. Change, grow, rearrange yourself. Free and beautiful things always bloom and spark with no holding back.” — Charlotte Eriksson
  
• “A strong woman understands that the gifts such as logic, decisiveness, and strength are just as feminine as intuition and emotional connection. She values and uses all of her gifts.” — Nancy Rathburn
  
• “It’s not about being perfect. It’s not about where you get yourself in the end. There’s power in allowing yourself to be known and heard, in owning your unique story, in using your authentic voice.” — Michelle Obama
  
• “One of the most courageous things you can do is identify yourself, know who you are, what you believe in, and where you want to go.” — Shelia Murray Bethel

Application Deadline: February 13, 2026 at 11:59 PM

Late applications will not be considered.