Celebrate the Women of Wyoming

Join the SV and Kemmerer/Diamondville (KDCA) Chambers in celebrating women of Wyoming on June 20 at 5:30 p.m. at the South Lincoln Events Center in Kemmerer. Preethi Fernando, author and speaker, will share her message about the “Amazing Women of Our Time and Their Criteria for Success” followed by a Q&A. Refreshments will be provided.

This event will kick off a four-part series, with one event each month, and the last one being in September. The event locations will alternate between Kemmerer and Star Valley.

“An event celebrating Wyoming women seemed like a natural thing to do,” Ellen Potter, KDCA Chamber Director, said. “This year we are celebrating the 150th year of women suffrage for Wyoming.”

Preethi Fernando, the keynote speaker for the event, has six books published, including “17 Women Who Shook the World.” She is the winner of Stephen King’s Haven Foundation Award, given to one author in the U.S. each year.

Fernando is originally from Sri Lanka, an island country in South Asia. She now resides in Colorado.

“My home was a library, with books surrounding me on shelves everywhere,” Fernando said. “I always wanted to publish my own book, but it wasn’t until I came to America that that dream of becoming a published author was realized.”

Fernando said her personal journey, her hardships, and discovering women’s stories from history are what inspires her to write and speak.

“I hit rock bottom in my life–financially, emotionally, spiritually. I didn’t know how to get out of that pit, but I didn’t want to live the rest of my life in that rock bottom,” Fernando said.

She continued, “I started to read the life stories of some of the most amazing women of our time by borrowing books at my local library. Then I started to listen to inspirational speakers. I needed all the inspiration I could get–free of charge. I listened to the speakers as I cooked, as I showered, as I drove the car, into my sleep. It helped me to stop feeling sorry for myself and to get myself out of that pit.”

Fernando said it is a true honor to come to beautiful Kemmerer, Wyoming, and inspire the women and men from all backgrounds, to become more effective, to get spark back into their jobs, to have better influence, and to be able to say at the end of the day that they did their best.

“Wyoming opened the doors for women in the United States to have the right to vote,” Fernando said. “It is a state that has created strides for women all over the country.”

Potter said she is excited to hear from Preethi Fernando and the other women lined up for the Celebration series.

“Wyoming has a history of exceptional women living and growing up in its borders. These women are not afraid to be pioneers of their time,” Potter said. “Be sure and mark June 20 on your calendar. We promise it will be a rewarding experience for all.”

If you have any questions or would like to know more about this event, or the series, you can contact the SV Chamber of Commerce by emailing info@starvalleychamber.com or by calling 307-885-2759.