The University of Maine at Presque Isle will present Erika Gilchrist, author and motivational speaker, as a 2023-2024 Libra Distinguished Lecture Series speaker on Thursday, March 21 at 6 p.m. via Zoom. Coinciding with Women’s History Month, Gilchrist will deliver a talk titled Renewing the Narrative: Unexpected SHEroes. This event is free and the public is encouraged to attend.
Gilchrist encourages the community to join her for an “opportunity to rewrite the story of success” through her empowering talk, “where we flip the script on traditional narratives of achievement.” Gilchrist will discuss how women are smashing stereotypes and blazing new trails in every aspect of life, serving as an inspiration for others to unleash their own brand of brilliance.
The author of 13 books and a 24-year speaking veteran, Gilchrist is an expert in personal development, leadership training, conflict management skills for women, DEI, and domestic abuse and escape. As the survivor of an assault as a little girl, domestic abuse as a young adult, time in a women’s shelter, and a suicide attempt, Erika Gilchrist has earned the title of “The Unstoppable Woman.” She is regarded as one of the most energizing, engaging, and captivating speakers in the industry.
Through many years of self-reflection and mental health therapy, Gilchrist began to better understand the diverse world around her. After years of conducting diversity workshops with Monster.com and other companies, she took a deeper dive into the world of equity and inclusion. After two decades of being a professional trainer, she created long-lasting relationships with some of the country’s leading experts in the field and curated “What’s In It For WE?”
Gilchrist is the creator of the brazen brand, W.T.F. – Women Thriving Fearlessly!™. She has built a thriving business from “absolutely nothing” to now being the owner of the largest expo for women in business in Chicagoland, appropriately called the Women Thriving Fearlessly Expo™. She’s been featured as one of the “15 Most Powerful Women on the South Side of Chicago,” Chicago Woman Magazine, CLTV, and Rolling Out Magazine.
The University’s Libra Distinguished Lecture Series was established in 1999. Each year, the LDLS Committee sponsors four to six speakers who come from Maine and beyond, representing a range of disciplines and viewpoints. While the emphasis tends to be on featuring visiting academics, it is not exclusively so. The speakers typically spend two days at the University meeting with classes and presenting a community lecture.
UMPI welcomes the campus and community to hear Gilchrist speak on March 21. For more information about Gilchrist, see her official website or her Amazon book page. For more information about this event or to get the Zoom link, contact Angelita Hernandez at 207-768- 9593 or email angelita.hernandez@maine.edu.
