"Making HERstory": Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Left to right: "Making HERstory's" welcoming committee included Krista Gross, Building a Better Boyertown's event planner who initiated the premiere event; Ellen Martignetti, Main Street Manager; Emily Crabel; and Boyertown Mayor Lori Carnes.

by Jane Stahl

Building a Better Boyertown's premiere "Making HERstory" event, held at the Museum of Historic Vehicles, on March 8, 2025, International Women's Day, to a sold-out crowd, celebrated "the power of telling her story,” noted Krista Gross, Building a Better Boyertown's event coordinator and initiator of the “Making HERstory” event. "

"When I first had the idea to host a women's dinner, I really wanted to think outside of the box. I envisioned it being more of an experience than a formal dinner. I wanted a night where the women of our community felt heard, and had the ability to connect in a space that feels safe."

"Each woman in this room carries a story--of resilience, of love, of challenges overcome, and dreams pursued," she continued in her welcome to the attendees. "And when we share these stories, we remind each other that we are not alone. We find strength in our sisterhood, hope in our shared experiences, and inspiration in each other's courage."

Ellen Martignetti, Building a Better Boyertown's Main Street Manager thanked the sponsors of the event, cheered the attendees, and explained that the evening served as a fund-raiser for a renovated walkway dedicated to former Mayor Marianne Deery. 

Women-owned businesses contributed to the special touches: for example, a buffet dinner was provided by Bause Catered Events.

Cocktails festooned with flowers were prepared by Stirrups Mobile Bar.

Henny Faire created bespoke perfumes created from local flowers: violet, lavender, peony, and fern, for example.

PermaLinked offered specialty "permanent" jewelry.

Sponsors offered healing tokens.

Blooming Balloons Décor added to the ambiance.

The “dynamic duo”--Participation Trophy Wives--Alicia Brisbois and Kayt Davis--served as Mistresses of Ceremony.

A wall of stories contributed  by attendees featured women who had inspired them throughout their lives. (The Expression will feature some of these stories in upcoming editions to continue to inspire.)

Following dinner, a panel of women shared stories and experiences from their lives that revealed their passion, defining moments, biggest challenges, advice for other women stepping into leadership roles or a male-dominated culture and ways to support them. In addition, panelists were asked to provide ideas to maintain work-life balance, commitment to self-care, and the establishment of boundaries.

Left to Right : Panelists Jane Stahl, Mary Froelich, Morgan Harrar, Alicia Brisbois, Jenna Armato, Beth Ann Lewis, and Kayt Davis

Panelists represented all stages of life: Morgan Harrar, recent college graduate and Berks County’s Woman of the Year; Jenna M. Armato, Training and Development CEO of Armato & Associates; Mary Froelich, CPA; Beth Ann Lewis, life coach; and myself, a retired career educator and community volunteer.

The Museum of Historic Vehicles, an extraordinary venue celebrating the history of what is often the purview of men, took on a feminine aesthetic. Attendees were greeted with tiny glasses of champagne sprinkled with rose petals. White linen tablecloths covered round tables decorated with modest vases sporting multi-colored roses and tea lights.

Sponsors for the event included the Colebrookdale Railroad, Anytime Fitness, Gilbertsville, Thrivent, Mortgage America, Bally Spring Inn, and The Studio. 

Prizes included flowers, books, spa and self-care treatments, Taylor Backes ornament, treats from Frecon Farms. 

The event showcased tributes to Boyertown's inspiring women in history,

The evening brought some inspiring community leaders like Adriane Zapien and Kim Welch

and Tessi Melchior...

also Kim Evans, Samantha Pearson, and Ellen Martignetti...

and Jamie Cascino...

also Theresa Heist, Beth Norton, Kim Frain, and Suzie Frain...

as well as new faces like Jaime Fox, Executive Director for the Foundation of Boyertown Education, who knows how to have fun!

Rumor has it that plans are already brewing for having more fun at "Making HERstory--2026." 

More News from Boyertown

• Notes from Bob Wood: The Outdoor Privy Construction materials and whimsical architectural flourishes gave the outhouses of old individuality not found in the other buildings.
• Workshops at Studio B Art Gallery Encourage Creativity Learn a new skill for fun or profit with artisan Minna Aaparyti or with 3D Printing expert Mike Sersen.