Raves For Power Up Concert: Human Art & Creativity Fuel Real Change

“Audacity is a bold action that challenges the status quo,” said Aly Palmer, award-winning singer, songwriter, producer, performer, artist, activist, philanthropist and founder known for her work as a musician with the band BETTY.

In her welcome remarks at Take The Lead’s Power Up Dinner and Concert at The Square in Washington, D.C.., Palmer added, “Thank you for bringing your audacious and foxy power.”

“Audacity is a bold action that challenges the status quo,” said Aly Palmer, award-winning singer, songwriter, producer, performer, with BETTY, @taketheleadwomen #PowerUp26 concert”

Prior to the dinner, was a preview of the Femme Art Fair, featuring 120 female-identifying artists, that included nine chosen to have their work represent Take The Lead’s 9 Leadership Power Tools. Heather Florio, CEO of Desert Harvest, Take The Lead board member and sponsor of the Power Up Conference and Sheposium, organized the artists representing Take The Lead. Her artwork, We Were Never Theirs To Name, is a mixed-media collage on canvas with photographic transfers, printed imagery, and handwritten text under layered resin/varnish.

“This is the first piece of art I have ever made to sell, and it holds the oldest story I carry,” said Florio, whose work represents Power Tool #9, Tell Your Story.

Following the art preview, more than 150 guests attended dinner and a panel on “The Power Of Arts To Change The World.”

With the theme of “Audacity: Leadership in Action,” the Concert and Conference was held in connection to Women’s Equality Day. The guest of honor was Margaret Atwood, literary icon and conference keynote, who received the Leading Woman Award, presented by Mark D. Wiseman, Ambassador of Canada to the United States.

“Guest of honor @MargaretAtwood, literary icon and conference keynote, received Leading Woman Award, presented by Mark D. Wiseman, Ambassador of @Canada to US.”

“We are clearly in a society where we could solve problems faster if there was more parity in working together for equality,” said Gloria Feldt, co-founder and president of Take The Lead, with the mission of fairness and gender equity in leadership across all sectors.

“It takes all of us to make a difference,” said Lily McNair, chair of the board of Take The Lead.

“There is power in what this room can bring,” said Florio.

Introducing the arts panel, Palmer said, “A basic human instinct is creativity. You can challenge perceptions and use that boldness for changing the world.”

Dr. Rose Crocket Matthews, founder/CEO of Georgia Institute of Speech and Language, said art influences her work as a speech pathologist. “Art gives a voice to things that can go unseen and it can create hope.”

Rebecca Fasman, creative curator of the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University, said,”We see a lot of history being told through very narrow perspectives. But we see art as opening up our human history.”

“Rebecca Fasman, curator @KinseyInstitute @IndianaUniversity: ”We see a lot of history being told through very narrow perspectives. But we see art as opening up our human history.” #PowerUp2026”

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Concert pianist and composer Marina Arsenijivc, who has performed in the last five Power Up conferences, said, “I have to have my own weapon to fight ethnic extremism, Through music I am able to create bridges. As a woman and an immigrant, no one gave me that stage.” Listed as the top female pianist in the world, Arsenijivic said, “That is the power of art and music.”

Maggie O’Neill, founder of Vote for Your Daughter, and co-founder of Femme Art Fair, said, “You can use creative skills to move the needle for civic engagement.” Noting the great gender disparity in the history of fine arts, O’Neill said, “Fewer than seven percent of artwork in major museum collections around the world are by women artists.”

“Maggie O’Neill, founder, Vote for Your Daughter, co-founder of Femme Art Fair, said, “You can use creative skills to move the needle for #civicengagement.” @takeleadwomen #PowerUp2026”

Discouragement in art is cultural and also self-taught. “We are always told we are not enough. In your creative practice, you have to stop saying I am not good enough.” She adds, “The world needs whatever story you have to tell.”

Following dinner, Felicia Davis, CEO and founder of Haus of Vocal Empowerment and a Take The Lead Leadership ambassador, introduced the first three Power Tool Champions. “Power is not something we are given, it is something we claim.”

Crockett Matthews, who spoke on the panel, earned the award The Visionary for Power Tool #1, Know Your History. Vernetra Gavin Hardy, earned the award for Power Tool # 2, The Trailblazer, for Define Your Own Terms.

Power Tool Champion #3, Maggie Castro, earned the Maximizer award for Use What You’ve Got. “We often overlook the brilliance that comes with being who we are,” said Castro. ”The Power Tools helped me claim and name the powers I have. Your identity is not a barrier, it’s a strength.”

“Maggie Castro, Power Tool Champion, @taketheleadwomen: “We often overlook the brilliance that comes with being who we are. Your identity is not a barrier, it’s a strength.” #leadership ”

In his introduction of Atwood, Canadian Ambassador Wiseman addressed universal gender inequity. “Discrimination knows no borders. Audacity is necessary when you need to challenge the world around us. No one is more audacious than Margaret Atwood. My country has benefited greatly from her. “

Stepping to the stage, with her small black shoulder bag, Atwood accepted her Leading Woman Award graciously. “It is so wonderful to be in this powerhouse of a room. I am very happy you invited me during these interesting times,” she said.

While the U.S. and Canada are bantering about tariffs in a conflict of words, Atwood said, “I have lots of hope and I participate in several trans-border initiatives. We have a shared love of the same thing—human creativity,” she said.

“Leading Woman Award winner @MargaretAtwood: “I have lots of hope and I participate in several trans-border initiatives. We have a shared love of the same thing—human creativity.” @Canada #creativity”

“AI can never replace that.”

Th internationally revered author of 50 award-winning books, including poetry, novels, a recent memoir and her legendary, “The Handmaid/s Tale,” and “The Testaments,” recently made into a Hulu series, said, “I believe that creativity is a uniquely human thing. We have been telling stories and making art for thousands of years.”

Not able to attend the Power Up Concert and Conference this year? You are able to experience the Power Up Conference virtually. Registration info coming soon.

Margaret Atwood (center) receiving the Leading Woman Award from Canadian Ambassador Mark D. Wiseman at Take The Lead’s Power Up Concert and Dinner.

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About the Author

Michele Weldon is editorial director of Take The Lead, an award-winning author, journalist, emerita faculty in journalism at Northwestern University and a senior leader with The OpEd Project. @micheleweldon www.micheleweldon.com

Raves For Power Up Concert: Human Art & Creativity Fuel Real Change

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