Take a look around the City of Fairfax and you’ll find a slew of businesses owned by women. So the second annual Fairfax City Women-Owned Business Luncheon is poised to honor them and encourage their further endeavors,

It’s set for Wednesday, March 13, from noon-2 p.m., at the Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center, 3740 Old Lee Hwy. in Fairfax. Co-hosts are the City of Fairfax Commission for Women and Economic Development Authority; sponsoring the event are Freedom Bank of Virginia and the Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce.

The purpose of this luncheon is to connect local, business-owning women with each other. It’s also to provide information to those wanting to either start or grow their business network and become part of small communities of women entrepreneurs.

Highlights of this event will include a guest speaker with expertise in this field, a panel presentation, networking with other women business owners, and a lunch from Fairfax City restaurants owned by women. In addition, participants will be afforded the opportunity to sign up to join smaller communities so they may continue their connections long after the luncheon is over.

Recognized for her support of female entrepreneurs, DeShawn Robinson-Chew is the keynote speaker. She is the founder of She-EO, LLC: Social Enterprise Educating and Empowering Tomorrow’s Female Founders. For her efforts, her company was honored by the Women’s Business Center of Northern Virginia with the Small Business Growth Award.

Throughout her career, Robinson-Chew has been an active advocate for entrepreneurship. And at next week’s luncheon, she’ll present details of her professional story, as well as provide advice and guidance to other women business leaders.

As for the panel presentation, women who own businesses in the City of Fairfax will share the lessons they learned along the way. They’ll also discuss the important role that community support plays in their professional lives.

An exhibit of City businesses owned by women will be part of this event, as well. It will enable these women to promote their businesses and let others see what they have to offer. However, exhibitor tables are limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Exhibitors must have City of Fairfax business licenses and must purchase their tickets to the luncheon before signing up to be an exhibitor. Sign ups for exhibitor tables may be done at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090f4faca623a46-exhibitor.

Although a few tickets to the luncheon, itself, will be available at the door for $20, attendees are encouraged to purchase them online in advance, for $15, via EventBrite at Fairfax City Women-Owned Business Luncheon. The Website address is

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fairfax-city-women-business-owner-luncheon-tickets-54718718159.

In addition, donations of feminine products will be collected for BRAWS during the event. By furnishing new, personally fitted underwear and menstrual supplies, this organization brings dignity, self-esteem and, therefore, a sense of empowerment to women and girls living in shelters.