In the KNOW!

Shawnee Forward is now accepting nominations for an open seat on our Board of Directors. This opportunity is open to current Shawnee Forward members only.

If you’re passionate about supporting our mission to enhance regional economic growth and want to help shape the future of Shawnee, we encourage you to nominate yourself or a fellow member.

Send nominations or questions to Crystal Romanyszyn at ceo@shawneeforward.com

Let your voice help lead the way forward!

A Look Back:

The Historical Journey of Mother's Day

As Mother's Day approaches, Shawnee Forward encourages our members to reflect on the rich history behind this cherished annual observance, which extends beyond its modern commercial aspects to encompass ancient celebrations of maternal figures in Greek and Roman cultures and the Christian tradition of Mothering Sunday. The 19th century saw significant steps towards its formalization, with Julia Ward Howe's call for peace through her "Mother's Day Proclamation" and Ann Reeves Jarvis's efforts to foster post-Civil War reconciliation with "Mothers' Friendship Day." It was her daughter, Anna Jarvis, whose tireless dedication and advocacy ultimately led to President Woodrow Wilson's official establishment of Mother's Day as a national holiday in 1914, solidifying its place in American culture, even amidst subsequent commercialization. 

Small Business Development Center Learning Opportunities

The Oklahoma Small Business Development Center is offering a valuable lineup of March workshops designed to help you grow, adapt, and succeed. Whether you're launching a new business or looking to sharpen your skills, there's something for everyone!

Don't miss this opportunity to gain expert insights and practical tools to take your business to the next level.

We thank all of our new investors for the month of April! Click on their logos to learn more about them.

Welcome Back

We thank all of our returning investors for the month of May! Click on their logos to learn more about them.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Help Us Stay Connected, Leadership Shawnee Alumni!

We love keeping up with our incredible Leadership Shawnee alumni—and we don’t want you to miss a thing! 

Take a quick moment to update your contact info so we can keep you in the loop on upcoming events, alumni spotlights, and opportunities to stay engaged with the program.

Your connection matters.

We’re excited for Health week 25! Below are sign-up links for two ways to get involved:

1. Information Tables – There are three opportunities to set up an information table. Select the event(s) that best fit your organization. You are not required to participate at all three, so feel free to choose the one(s) that work best for you. (Click Here for Information Table Sign Up Link)
2. Friday FunDay Volunteers – On Friday, May 30th, at KidSpace Park, we are asking for volunteers to help with various activities. There are multiple ways to get involved, so sign up and join the fun! (Click Here for Volunteer Link)

Thank you, CLEAResult, for your generous sponsorship of our newsletter, "In the Know". Your support enables us to keep our community informed and engaged with the latest updates and events.