Join us to hear Sara Laughlin and Doris Sims speak about their personal journeys - barriers they have overcome, successes both of them have achieved, and the impact they have had in our community. 

Sara Laughlin has lived in the Bloomington area since 1977. She led the Stone Hills Library Network for 17 years, worked as a consultant for 10 years, and ended her career as Director of the Monroe County Public Library, where she oversaw a substantial increase in usage, completed two strategic plans,  added a children's room to the Ellettsville Branch, renovated the Main Library to add teen and digital creativity spaces, and implemented RFID and automated materials handling. Over her career, she was very involved in state and national library organizations. Since retiring, she has been an active community volunteer and has served as President of Bloomington Rotary, Teachers Warehouse, Buskirk-Chumley Theater Management, and the Amos Lemon Burkhart Foundation. 

Doris Sims retired from the City of Bloomington in 2021 after 38 years of service.  Upon retirement, she served as the Director of Housing and Neighborhood Development where she was responsible for providing leadership in the management of a $ 2.5 million budget in federal and local funds and oversaw a staff of 16 employees.  In 2018, she was awarded the “Women who Excel” award from the Bloomington Chamber of Commerce in recognition of her leadership and commitment to excellence and was awarded the Alumni Achievement Award from the Indiana University Neal-Marshall Alumni Club for Outstanding Leadership in 2019. She is also the recipient of the Viola Taliaferro Award from the Monroe County Democratic Party for her outstanding work within the Bloomington community.  Doris currently serves on the boards of Habitat for Humanity and Indiana University Credit Union where she is Chair.   She is a proud member of the Monroe County Black Caucus and the Democratic Women’s Caucus where she serves on the Steering Committee.  As a member of Second Baptist Church Bloomington, she serves as President of the Usher Board, Co-Secretary to the Board of Trustees, and member of the Missionary Circle. 

Make sure to enjoy us for this amazing event! It will be an empowering evening you don’t want to miss!

We will also highlight a female Club staff member who has gone above-and-beyond to answer the needs for our Club kids - especially during the immense challenges of these past years. Finally, we will have a Live Auction to raise funds to sponsor female Club members who attend the Boys & Girls Club!

WHAT DO I RECEIVE WITH A TICKET PURCHASE?

By purchasing a $100.00 ticket you will receive a dinner, dessert, and a program that will showcase how to help young women reach their full potential.   Your $100.00 ticket purchase allows members at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bloomington to receive world-class and life-changing opportunities! Finally, you are making a donation to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bloomington as we continue to fulfill the mission of empowering all young people - especially those who need us most.

Thank you for your support! We look forward seeing you IN-PERSON on the Lincol Street  Club for SMART Girls, STRONG Women on Thursday, April 20th at 6:00 p.m.