It was a full house at the monthly Women Talk Okotoks on Tuesday, Sept. 19.

Women Talk is an evening event every three weeks where women present and share inspiring stories, TED Talk style.

Sam Bell, Women Talk spokesperson, says the event had two guest speakers, sharing moving experiences with the 45 other women in attendance.

"Michelle Noordhof, who's actually one of our co-directors of Women Talk Okotoks, she spoke about re-writing her story, really sharing and delving deep with regards to her childhood, very inspirational. Then a lady called Heather Colberg was talking about imperfection is not your reflection, and this was about her daughter who was born with a cleft lip and palette. They were very powerful stories, and very uplifting."

An exciting announcement for the organization as well, Bell shares Women Talk Okotoks will be supporting Gems for Gems as their charity of choice, in partnership with Yoga Down and The Eagle 100.9.

"Gems for Gems is an organization that empowers women who are living in Calgary area women shelters, it started off as a jewellery drive. The idea was that by gifting gems to the women in the shelter it would help them to reconnect with being a woman, feeling valued, and building her up. The drive has been held for three years, every women in the shelters receives a small gift of at least five pieces of gently used, cleaned, and packaged jewellery."

Women Talk will be collecting gently used jewellery for Gems for Gems at Yoga Down.

Bell hopes Okotoks welcome the charity with open arms.

"Okotoks as a town has very, very big hearts, I was very involved in the High River flood and everything that happened there, and it was overwhelming the support that came from that, and how people pull together. I think Gems for Gems is a charity that reaches and touches every single person's heart, and I know Okotoks will really embrace this."

To learn more about Women Talk Okotoks click here.

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