At Phenomenal Women Empowerment Connections gatherings, women share more than business cards, co-founder Karen Carter said.
“They share an essence of who they are,” Carter said.
Carter, a Mineola resident, and her sister Debra, who lives in Babylon, are the co-founders of Phenomenal Women Empowerment Connections.
As holistic health coaches and yoga teachers, the Carters were inspired by research on the positive impact social relationships have on longevity, Karen Carter said.
“We wanted to have a forum where other positive women can come and connect and develop social activities,” she said.
The organization began as a luncheon in June 2016, where the sisters highlighted women they saw as positive influences in their lives, Karen Carter said.
“The positive energy felt in that room was phenomenal that at the end we all decided it would be a good idea to get together every three months and it has been like a minireunion whenever we do ever since,” she said.
Toward the end of that same year, the sisters formed their organization.
What sets their organization apart from other networking groups, Karen Carter said, is the focus on social relationships.
Members and participants in events can say, “I know this person … not only as a person for her profession, but I know her personally,” Carter said.
As opposed to networking events where business cards are often shared – and lost – the social wellness organization holds events focused on meeting people and forming bonds, she said.
The lunches are open to members and nonmembers.
The group’s upcoming luncheon is also the second annual fashion show and will be held on June 9 at the Hofstra University Club from 2 to 6 p.m.
Tickets are $50 if purchased before May 26, and $45 if purchased before Monday.
Those interested can contact Karen Carter at 516-808-7269 or Debra Carter at 516-965-9461.
The event also features raffles; portions of the proceeds go to organizations for women, children or young adults.
Previous recipients were the Bee Happy Foundation and the Bethany House.
Going forward, Karen Carter said she and her sister want to focus on helping caregivers.
As caregivers for their mother, who had a stroke in March 2017, Karen Carter said she and her sister understand the toll it can take.
But all women can benefit from increasing social bonds, she said.
“As we get older I find a lot of people minimize social activity … or say ‘we need to get out more’ or ‘I have a whole house full of men and this is a way for me to connect with my tribe of women,'” Karen Carter said.
The organization is filled with women of varied backgrounds, in profession and age, she said.
The only requirement: only positive women can apply, she said.
