MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University’s National Women’s History Month speaker offered tips on “finding your passion” during the inaugural Women’s Celebration Dinner and annual Trailblazer Awards held Wednesday, March 5.

“You have passion, skills and talent to offer, and everything you’ve done to this point has led you to this foundation,” said speaker Amanda Nachman, founder of College Magazine and bestselling author of “#Qualified: You Are More Impressive Than You Realize.”

This year’s theme for the national celebration is “Moving Forward Together: Women Educating and Inspiring Generations.”

“Tonight is about celebrating each other and the accomplishments of those who have put their time and energy into creating an educating and inspiring place for women and allies here at MTSU and in our communities,” said Maigan Wipfli, director of MTSU’s June Anderson Center for Women and Nontraditional Students and chair of MTSU’s National Women’s History Month committee.

This year marked the first time the Women’s History Month speaker and Trailblazer Awards were combined, and Wipfli is excited to “see what growing this program next year can bring.”

To inspire the crowd of more than 150 gathered in the Student Union Ballroom, Nachman engaged audience participation with a short writing assignment: “Tell me about yourself.”

“Once you can recognize and unleash your strengths, you can go after anything,” said Nachman, who hosts “Find Your Passion Career” podcast and TEDx speaker. “So I want you to level up your story.”

Too often, we can pinpoint the positives of friends, but not ourselves, Nachman said. So she returned to the pen and asked the audience to focus on personal strengths.

“Level up your story by thinking about moments where your strengths shined,” said Nachman, who launched College Magazine as a 21-year-old co-ed.

And find mentors to help you along the way, she urged the crowd.

“Most of us set out to chase our dreams all by ourselves,” Nachman said, “but your career journey is not a solo journey.”

The power of collaboration is key.

“Too often, women may not share their accomplishments, goals or dreams out of fear of being labeled. It’s OK to write your story, be authentic and reach your goals,” said Violet Cox-Wingo, Department of Social Work lecturer. “The event was an awesome way to pay homage to women who have inspired and challenged the world to be a better place.”

And that camaraderie was palpable at the dinner, which prompted guests to network with peers.

“We were inspired by someone who has made it her mission to teach others how to leverage their skills and strengths in their day-to-day life and career aspirations,” Wipfli said.

Award recipients, upcoming events

In addition to the speaker, the dinner spotlighted women in the community who have educated and inspired others to achieve their goals with the Trailblazer Awards. Winners and their categories this year included:

• Alumni Trailblazer: Holly Hamby, assistant professor of arts and languages at Fisk University in Nashville, Tenn.

• Community Trailblazer: Jen Teachenor, author and assistant principal at Benny Bills Elementary in Gallatin, Tenn.

• Faculty Trailblazer: Cathy McElderry, Department of Social Work professor and former chair.

• Staff Trailblazer: Gina Poff, New Student and Family Programs director.

• Student Trailblazers: Anna Jacobellis, communications major, and Claire Holbrook, recording industry major.

• Trailblazing Student Organization: Alpha Delta Pi sorority, Epsilon Tau Chapter.

There will be more upcoming Women’s History Month events.

• Documentary filmmaker Christy Carpenter will be “shaking it up” with a talk about her mother, legendary journalist and activist Liz Carpenter, at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, in Room 106 of Paul W. Martin Honors Building, 1737 Blue Raider Drive.

The two days prior to Christy Carpenter’s talk, her documentary, “Shaking It Up! The Life and Times of Liz Carpenter,” will be screened at 12:30 p.m. Monday, March 17, and 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 18, in Room 106 of the Honors College.

• From 3:30-5:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, there will be a free screening of the film “Benevolence, a Journey from Prison to Home” in the Academic Classroom Building, 1751 MTSU Blvd. The documentary examines the unique reentry challenges of justice-involved women as they return to the community. A panel featuring expert practitioners will follow. For more details, email elizabeth.wright@mtsu.edu.

• The International Women’s Poetry Reading will take place from 4-6 p.m. Thursday, March 20, at Miller Education Center, 503 E. Bell St. Email luciana.prestes@mtsu.edu for details.

• The monthlong series of events will conclude with the MTSU Women’s Collective for networking and roundtable discussion from 3-5 p.m. Monday, March 31 I Room 142 of the Student Union Building, 1768 MTSU Blvd. Email maigan.wipfli@mtsu.edu for details.

For more details about other NWHM events, visit https://jac.mtsu.edu/nwhm/.

— Nancy DeGennaro (Nancy.DeGennaro@mtsu.edu)