Conference on empowering women entrepreneurs successfully held
Over 60 participants gathered for non-profit organization Abigail’s “Believing in Women and Investing in their Ideas” conference last Saturday at Pepoy’s Restaurant and Cafe in Susupe.
Although both men and women were allowed to attend the event, the meeting was mainly focused on aspiring female entrepreneurs and encouraging not only the acceptance but support of these women.
Abigail’s president and co-founder Femie Rey shared that the conference was comprised of a series of presentations from business owners and entrepreneurs, namely Angie Lee, Caroline Jones, Ceaşar Supetran, and Bong Malasarte. It also consisted of a question-and-answer portion and an inspirational message.
“This month marks the fourth-year anniversary of Abigail’s. Every year we always like to have a women’s conference, watching women [succeed], and empowering women and their families, and we do different kinds of topics every year. This year we chose ‘Believing in Women and Investing in Ideas’ after it was suggested by our volunteers.”
She said Abigail’s members had been asking to know more about how to start a business and be empowered by it, and given the current economic crisis the CNMI is under, it was a good idea to stage a business-centric conference this year.
“We thought it would be great for women to go into business if they can,” she said.
Rey added that she began inviting speakers, specifically individuals involved in business to share their experiences on how they started their own business, what challenges they faced, and how they navigated through tough situations.
Abigail’s was born amidst the COVID-19 pandemic with the goal to prevent domestic violence from happening in homes and providing a place for women and children to find support and help should they face domestic violence.
“Our mission is to empower women and their families through building healthy relationships and not only for families, but also for communities, where everyone has a voice and is free from domestic violence. We believe that by giving women tools, and the how to’s to create some resources for themselves, that it could lessen their stress and they could have a way to provide for their families.”
Rey said Abigail’s want women to realize that they can do something by themselves and don’t have to be fully dependent on their husbands.
“And so, like, having something to do, especially having an additional income to help the family would alleviate the stress in the family. As sometimes stress could be a factor for people to be in arguments and sometimes it could lead to violence.”
Rey said she was happy with the turnout for the event and hopes to continue to provide these services to women and families. She also shared that she hopes to partner with more local businesses or individuals willing to teach skillsets to these ladies.
When asked on the name Abigail’s, Rey told Saipan Tribune that the name had been derived from the Bible’s Old Testament character Abigail, and she said that although they are not strictly a religious group, each letter in the name represents something about the character that they as women hope to provide—“A” for advocacy, “B” for brilliance, “I” for Intelligence, “G” for good morals, “A” for affirmation, “I” for instruction, “L” for love, and “S” for services.
To participate in the Abigail’s future endeavors, you can send a letter to their mailing address: PO Box 502965 As Perdido Road, Chalan Piao, Saipan MP 96950, or check out their office building 3794 on As Perdido Rd. Chalan Piao, Saipan or you can email them at abigails.media@abigailssaipan.org, or call (670) 788-3659.

Participants are all smiles following non-profit organization Abigail’s “Believing in Women and Investing in their Ideas” conference last Saturday at Pepoy’s Restaurant & Cafe in Susupe.
-CONTRIBUTED PHOTO