Great Dames Circle
Become part of a trusted circle of empowering women.
The Great Dames Circle activates your purpose and passion in communities, at work, and in your personal lives.
Open to women of all ages and backgrounds.
Great Dames is a global community of women who are focused on making connections, sharing stories, exchanging ideas and resources, and forging friendships.
We’re global.
Our global community is invited to attend all Great Dames virtual events throughout the year.
We invest in women and girls.
The Great Dames Circle engages women-led nonprofits and funds their remarkable work to empower women and girls to thrive. We invite women nonprofit leaders to participate in our annual Remarkable Ideas Grant Program. Finalists are awarded a seed grant, business mentor, business services, and a strategic partnership with Great Dames.
Essential benefits for every Circle member:
“Pass the Torch” gift membership for an emerging woman leader - if you join or renew by Dec 31, 2025
Vote for the annual Remarkable Ideas Grant recipient
Free access to all virtual Powerful Conversations and DamesTalk events + free friend ticket
Early access & member pricing for select programs and events
Invitations to members-only gatherings
Partner perks (special offers + select invitations)
Invest in Women: Join Today!
Great Dames Fund is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization (EIN: 47-2762190) and your donation is tax-deductible within the guidelines of U.S. law.
2026 EVENTS
Great DamesTalk Open Mic Night
Monday, February 23 at 5:30 to 6:30 PM ET
“A Connection That Changed Me”
Join us on February 23 for a Great DamesTalk Open Mic Night, an intimate evening of story-sharing and meaningful connection. This isn’t about polished performances—it’s about being present, listening deeply, and recognizing ourselves in one another’s stories.
Connection shows up in quiet moments and bold gestures, in listening and in being heard. On this night, we invite you to share a story about a moment when connection—human, personal, or unexpected—made a difference in your life.
Story Prompt: A Connection That Changed Me
A chance meeting.
A brief exchange.
An unexpected conversation that quietly shifted your path.
You might reflect on:
When a connection mattered more than you expected
How it influenced a choice or turning point
Who you might be if that connection had never happened
If you’ve been craving real connection—or feel the pull to be in the room—this night is for you.
Please donate to support our work
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2025 Great Dames Events
November 18 Remarkable Ideas Grant Celebration
One Night. Five Remarkable Women. Lasting Impact.
October 20 2025 Remarkable Ideas Grant Live Virtual Pitch Event
An evening of inspiration that proves the power of storytelling to spark transformation.
September 16 DamesTalk Virtual Open Mic Night “Silent Heroes”
Stories of Ordinary People Who Made an Extraordinary Difference.
July 22 DamesTalk Virtual Open Mic Night “The Space Between”
Celebrating the glowing space between day and night, between who you were and who you're becoming.
May 6 DamesTalk Powerful Conversation
Woven Together: A DamesTalk on Mothers, Daughters, and the Stories That Shape Us
April 15 DamesTalk Virtual Writing Workshop
Your story has the power to inspire, challenge, and create change. Let’s bring it to life—together.
March 4 DamesTalk Virtual Launch
This special event will bring together dynamic voices to inspire, uplift, and spark meaningful change.
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2024 Great Dames Events
November 14 Great Dames 15th Anniversary Party
A very special anniversary party where we celebrated the collective impact of >14,500 women during the last 15 years.
October 15 Great Dames 15th Anniversary Global Virtual Celebration Event
An evening of Inspiring Remarks & Exciting Announcements
July 23 2024 Remarkable Ideas Competition Virtual Pitch Event
Six remarkable women leaders pitched their ideas for empowering women and girls
May 22 The Anatomy of a Perfect Pitch
Lesson on how to present your ideas so they are heard & supported
March 4 Celebrating International Women’s Day
Global humanitarian and activist Jaha Marie Dukureh shared her journey of championing equality for women
January 25 Great Dames Global Town Meeting
The Great Dames community discussed what matters to them most
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2023 Great Dames Events
November 29 She Matters: An Important Conversation
Final Powerful Conversation of the year discussing the importance of remembering that we each bring something valuable to the world.
September 28 Great Dames Celebration
Giving Circle Grant Winner Announcement and Great Dames Book Launch
May 9 The Stories of Our Moms
A meaningful dialogue about our joyful and complicated relationships
March 8 International Women's Day Celebration
Meet the Great Dames Storytellers!
Stories Changing the World
January 17 Get Unstuck!
Virtual Hands-On Writing and Editing Workshop
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2022 Great Dames Events
January 21 & 24 Great Dames HUB Virtual Workshops
February 22 Great Dames Virtual Powerful Conversation: THRIVE! Bravery: How to tap into my courage
March 8 International Women’s Day Special Event:
“Women: Your Thrive Energy Source”,
Special Event for Circle Members Only
March 22 Great Dames Virtual Powerful Conversation: THRIVE! I Quit: Leaving for something better to help me thrive
April 26 Great Dames Virtual Powerful Conversation: THRIVE! Stop the Judgement!
May 24 Great Dames Virtual Powerful Conversation: THRIVE! Confidence: Free to be me no matter what
June 28 Great Dames Virtual Powerful Conversation: THRIVE! Healing and Resilience: The Curative Power of Positive Connections
July 26 Great Dames THRIVE! Powerful Conversation: The Value of Friendship: How Friends Help Each Other Thrive
September 28 Great Dames THRIVE! Powerful Conversation: How to Get Your Spark Back! Virtual Workshop led by Dame Nina Sherak
November 15 Great Dames THRIVE! Powerful Conversation: Giving Back
December 13 Great Dames Year-End Celebration Event!
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Prior 2021 Great Dames Events
January 22 Great Dames Virtual Powerful Conversation: “Becoming Remarkable Through Business Building & Service” with Andra Rush
February 10 Great Dames Virtual Powerful Conversation: Valentine’s Themed Cooking Class with Chef Curtis Hemm
March 26 Great Dames Virtual Powerful Conversation: "Creating Remarkable Results during Uncertainty", interactive workshop led by Mary Mavis
April 19 Great Dames Virtual Powerful Conversation: "Reimagining Sleep",
with Dr. Barbara Hutchinson
May 17 Great Dames Virtual Powerful Conversation: "Reimagining Courage"
featuring “Great Dames Conversation Catalysts,”
Regina Allen-Sharpe, Sindy Rodriquez and Jan White
June 17 Great Dames Virtual Powerful Conversation: “Confidence and Your Body,”
featuring DeLores Pressley and Kathy Palokoff
July 29 Great Dames Virtual Powerful Conversation: “Reimagining Friendship”
Celebrating International Day of Friendship
with the Great Dames Community
August 10 Savings Success Workshop: Free Virtual Workshop Designed for Aspiring Dames (US and global participants welcome)
A Workshop from Capital One
September 20 Great Dames Virtual Workshop “Making Good Trouble”
featuring Bebe Coker and Jah’Sima Cooper
facilitated by Nina Sherak
October 26 Great Dames Virtual Powerful Conversation
“Introducing the Great Dames Marketplace”
November 30 Great Dames Virtual Powerful Conversation
“Reimagining Your Future”
December 13 Great Dames Virtual Powerful Conversation
“Celebrating Your Great Dameness”
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Prior 2020 Great Dames Events for our Circle Members!
January 23, Great Dames Connect Event
February 26, Great Dames Connect Event
March 26, Great Dames Webinar, Leading Effective Video Conferences, led by Laura Sicola
April 6, Great Dames Powerful Conversation: The POWER of Connecting with our Community Right Now, led by Sharon Kelly Hake, Maria Hess, Laura Sicola
April 20, Great Dames Powerful Conversation: Thriving 101: Real-time Resilience, led by Nina Sherak
April 29, Great Dames Connect Event
May 11, Great Dames Powerful Conversation: The Power of Storytelling: This is the Right Time to Write Your Book, led by Kathy Palokoff
May 21, Great Dames Connect Event
June 8, Great Dames Powerful Conversation: THAT… Was a Great Question!, led by Adina Tovell
June 25, Great Dames Connect Event, featuring Jah’Sima Cooper
July 13, Great Dames Powerful Conversation with Allison Garrett; Turning Adversity into Advantage.
July 28, Great Dames Powerful Conversation: Dismissed: How Race, Gender and Culture Bias is Destroying the Health of Americans. led by Dr. Angela Marshall
August 25, Great Dames Connect Event featuring a Conversation with Sonya Aronowitz and Tamara Bella Anderson, women in theatre
September 21-25, Great Dames First Digital Conference: Reimagining Your Life: Discovering Hope in Your Personal, Professional & Community Lives During Uncertain Times
October 19, Great Dames Powerful Conversation: Reimagining Our Connections
November 17, Great Dames Powerful Conversation: Reimagining Self-Care
December 7, Toast to a Year of ‘Great Dameness’ Celebration