Director of Montgomery College’s ignITe Hub to Serve as Host for TEDxBethesdaWomen’s “Awakenings” Event, Oct. 12 at Imagination Stage

A one-day live event focusing on "Awakenings" will be held October 12, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Imagination Stage in Bethesda. Seven visionary women will give TED-like talks about motherhood, creativity, aging, self-defense, trauma and recovery, diversity and well-being to engage and inspire 100 attendees in an intimate studio.

The honoree is Janet Stanford, founding artistic director at Imagination Stage, and the host is Kimberly Bloch Rincan, inaugural director of the ignITe Hub at Montgomery College. The ignITe Hub is a new initiative between the College, MCPS, Montgomery County Economic Development Council, and the Montgomery County Government. The Hub works to advance equitable access to STEM/IT careers for underrepresented students while promoting local entrepreneurship opportunities in a 21st century, technology-learning environment.

Speakers for the event include Nicole Pensak, PhD., licensed clinical psychologist; Erin Friedman, abstract artist; Stephanie Hack, M.D. and podcaster; Ellen Oh, middle grade and children's author; Amanda Moskowitz, trauma and recovery playwright and author; Lauren Taylor, empowerment self-defense teacher and Jennifer Sproul, realtor and “Baby Bloomer.”

"The fallout of the pandemic lives on,” says Jane O. Smith, organizer of TEDxBethesdaWomen. “Women want to share new ideas in a forum without judgement, that challenges them to speak their truth with passion."

At a TEDx event, licensed through TED.com and independently organized, presenters and the audience combine to spark deep discussions and connections in a small group. Smith organized a similar TEDx event in 2013.

All talks will be videotaped and posted to TED.com as free downloads, in early November.

View https://TEDxBethesdaWomen-Awakenings.Eventbrite.com for details and to register. Partners include Montgomery College, Women Business Owners of Montgomery County, MODA Optic, Maller Wealth Advisors, Club Pilates and Locally Crafted.