Women’s Empowerment Summit

Surviving women whose loss occurred more than three years ago are invited to attend the TAPS Women's Empowerment Summit.

Airport Transportation: Shuttles to Maumee Bay Lodge will be provided from Detroit Metropolitan Airport on Monday, September 19 until 5 p.m. and from Maumee Bay Lodge to Detroit Metropolitan Airport on Friday, September 23.

Health Guidelines: In accordance with the most current information available, as of May 1, 2022, TAPS lifted the requirement to provide proof of full vaccination to attend in-person events. We will continue to monitor COVID variants and we may adjust protocols to ensure safe and healthy gatherings. These adjustments could once again include requiring proof of full vaccination and/or a negative COVID test.

We're excited to be hosting the Women’s Empowerment Summit, and we’d love for you to be a part of it! For four full days, we’ll come together on the shores of Lake Erie to forge friendships, honor our loves and our losses, and learn from experts, ourselves, and each other. Learn more below.

EVENT THEME: Lost, Left, Possible. We’ll use this guiding theme to name secondary losses, find power in mindset shifts, and build courage to reimagine futures. We’ll look at what’s changed, what’s fallen away, and how we are cultivating readiness for our own next steps.

OVERVIEW

We know what happens when we bring small groups of surviving women together at retreats - it sets the scene for lifelong connections, transformational insights, and new perspectives on hope and healing. Using that same model - a model that includes the intimacy of small groups but allows for big experiences - we’re hosting the Women’s Empowerment Summit.

We envision the Women’s Empowerment Summit as a hybrid retreat and seminar. From the retreat side, we’ll incorporate our curated curriculum and the intimacy that comes from small group dynamics - we know it takes safe emotional space to do important work. From the seminar side, we’ll source the energy and resources that come with a larger group - expanding our curriculum with new workshops and opportunities. The Summit will draw on the core principles of the Women’s Empowerment program (art, movement, nature, identity) while expanding the suite of resilience building and creative offerings.

We'll use a guiding theme of "Lost, Left, Possible" to name secondary losses, find power in mindset shifts, and build courage to reimagine futures.We'll look at what's changed, what's fallen away, and how we are cultivating readiness for our own next steps.

In addition to the opportunities to form lasting friendships with other surviving women, the schedule (and the property) will allow space for solo work, rest, and deep personal reflection. As we hear the voices of thought leaders, new friends, and trusted confidantes, we’ll also make room to hear our own voices rise.

Who should attend? Survivors who are more than three years out from their loss are welcome to attend the Women's Empowerment Summit. Unlike our smaller Women's Empowerment Retreats, there is not an application process for this event.

If you are within the first three years following your loss, we encourage you to participate in online community programming (including WE Connect!), attend a TAPS Together or Care Group in your local community or explore Regional Seminars and/or the National Military Survivor Seminar.

SCHEDULE

Monday, September 19: Participants should plan to arrive at Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center on Monday, September 19 before 7:30 p.m. Programming will formally start on Monday evening at 8:00 p.m.

Tuesday, September 20 to Thursday, September 22: Each full Summit day includes time in our large group (for special presentations, guest speakers, and panel discussions) as well as time in small group cohorts. While in cohorts, participants will move through movement and mindfulness modules, spend time in nature, engage in creative expression, and reflect on who they are and where they’re going. In addition to these core offerings and special sessions, participants will be able to round out the experience by choosing workshops that align with their needs and interests.

Friday, September 23: Friday is a travel day - you’ll depart from the Summit with new friends and new resolve.

EVENT FEES

Thanks to the generosity of our donors and sponsors, TAPS will provide lodging, meals and all activities.  

REGISTRATION DETAILS

Registration will open on April 1, 2022 and will continue until the waitlist is full. Survivors who are on the waitlist will be notified as space becomes available.

We encourage you to check out the TAPS Calendar for other ways to join your TAPS Family, both in-person and virtually, during 2022. For more information, please call 800-959-TAPS (8277).

If you have any questions, please email seminarregistrations@taps.org  or call 800-959-TAPS (8277).