March is Women’s History Month! I wanted to feature a woman and a Knoxville program that upholds all that women are, can do and will do for our community and the world!
Let Her Speak is making waves by championing women’s voices. Founded by the enthusiastic and passionate Catherine Porth in 2017, this nonprofit has blossomed into a beacon of empowerment, fostering a supportive space where women can share their stories, challenge societal norms, and inspire positive change. Let Her Speak is truly a celebration of female strength and community.
Catherine Porth’s journey to founding Let Her Speak is inspiring. During her time at the Knoxville Entrepreneur Center, Catherine witnessed firsthand the challenges and triumphs faced by women in the entrepreneurial world. With degrees in Bachelor of Science, Marketing and Management, University of South Carolina Darla Moore School of Business; Master of Business Administration, entrepreneurship and innovation, University of Tennessee Haslam College of Business. This experience and her almost ten years of corporate experience ignited her passion for gender equality and highlighted the importance of giving women a platform to share their stories. She envisioned a space where women could come together, share their experiences, and build a supportive network.
This vision became a reality with the birth of Let Her Speak in 2017 under the KEC umbrella. Catherine interviewed 25 women over six months on the issues they were experiencing as women in the world of entrepreneurship and leadership. From that process, she was able to identify some key areas to address and turned that into the first Women’s Summit. It has continued to grow and evolve since then, and in 2024, Catherine took the nonprofit out on its own to give wings to the vision she has developed through her research and experience.
Today, Let Her Speak is bustling with activities to uplift women and create a more inclusive community. Here are some of their exciting initiatives:
- Storytelling Workshops: These engaging workshops provide women with the tools and confidence to articulate their stories, empowering them to speak boldly about their experiences.
- Networking Events: Regular networking events connect women from diverse backgrounds, fostering a sense of community and collaboration. These events are always buzzing with energy and inspiration!
- Mentorship Programs: Let Her Speak pairs women with mentors who offer guidance, support, and encouragement in their personal and professional journeys.
- Advocacy Campaigns: The organization leads impactful campaigns to raise awareness about issues affecting women and advocate for policy changes and societal shifts.
- Podcast: She Speaks is an expansion of the She Speaks Series, a project that elevated and celebrated women’s stories across the US during the pandemic.
Since its inception, Let Her Speak has reached remarkable milestones and achieved numerous successes:
- Empowered Voices: Hundreds of women have participated in storytelling workshops, podcasts, leadership training, etc., gaining the confidence to share their stories publicly.
- Community Engagement: The organization has forged strong partnerships with local businesses, schools, and other nonprofits, expanding its reach and impact. On March 7, Catherine will speak at the Women in Business, Entrepreneurship & Leadership Summit at UT, sharing her mission and leadership.
The future holds even more exciting prospects for Let Her Speak. Here are some upcoming events you won’t want to miss:
- Annual Women’s Summit: This event brings together women leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers across industries to connect, learn, and grow together. March 12, 8:30-2:30 at the Knoxville Museum of Art. Tickets are sold out, but you can get on the waiting list HERE.
- 2025 Let Her Lead Cohort will open soon. Sign up here for more information and to see which one is the best fit for you.
- Community workshops on various topics are available through their team of leaders. Click HERE to see which one would benefit your organization.
- Workshops for women such as Let Her Invest and Let Her Vote. You can follow their social media pages HERE and HERE to stay on top of the latest event offerings!
Let Her Speak, under the visionary and thoughtful leadership of Catherine Porth, continues to pave the way for women’s empowerment in Knoxville and beyond the East Tennessee area. Through its innovative programs and unwavering commitment to amplifying women’s voices, the organization is creating a ripple effect of positive change.
Catherine, her husband Jack, little boy, Aiden, and pup Zoey live in Knoxville and are excitedly awaiting the arrival of baby #2, a little girl, for their growing family!