About the Enlighten Women's Forum 2026:
Rooted & Rising
The Enlighten Women’s Forum is a one-day, in-person event designed to empower, connect, and celebrate women in the construction, manufacturing, and skilled trades sectors. It will be held on March 11, 2026, at Clover Park Technical College in Lakewood, Washington. This forum brings together apprentices, journey-level workers, educators, union leaders, and industry professionals from across the region.
This year’s theme, “Rooted and Rising,” honors the deep foundation women have built in the trades while embracing growth, leadership, and the future of the industry. We aim to spotlight the strength that comes from being grounded in community, skill, and purpose—while continuing to rise into new opportunities, innovations, and positions of influence.
Through inspiring keynotes, workshops, and powerful storytelling, the forum provides a space for learning, reflection, and action. Enlighten Empowers, builds community and strength for our workforce in action at all levels!
Join Us as a Speaker at the 2026 Forum!
We’re excited to announce the 2026 Enlighten Women’s Forum – a powerful event focused on uplifting, inspiring, and equipping women in the construction and manufacturing industries.
📅 Event Date: March 11th, 2026
📍 Location: Clover Park Technical College
We are currently seeking keynote speakers and workshop facilitators who are ready to inspire, lead, and share their knowledge with pre-apprentices, apprentices, journey workers, union leaders, educators, and business owners across Washington State and beyond.
Keynote Speaker Criteria
We’re looking for someone who:
Has experience in the skilled trades, construction, or manufacturing, or in leadership roles
Can share a compelling personal story of resilience, growth, or breaking barriers
Inspires a diverse audience of tradeswomen, young professionals, and industry leaders
Can energize and empower attendees to keep building their careers and communities
Workshop Presenter Criteria
Workshops will be approximately 60 minutes and should be practical, engaging, and empowering. Topics may include (but are not limited to):
Career development and progression in the trades
Mental wellness, psychological safety, confidence-building, and work and life balance in the trades
Business ownership and entrepreneurship
Financial literacy and planning
Leadership, sponsorship, and advocacy for women in unions and industry
To Apply
Be part of a movement that empowers and connects tradeswomen!
Whether you’ve just started your journey or have decades of experience, we want to hear your story. Let’s empower the next generation of women in the trades—one voice at a time.
Please submit your proposal by October 15, 2025 using the interest form: https://forms.office.com/r/Hha895HFZe
You’ll need to include:
Name and contact information
A brief bio (200–350 words)
A session title and description (for workshops and keynote speeches)
Link to a past speaking engagement (if available)
Responses to a few additional vetting questions