Right here in West Bellevue, a group of three dedicated women are reshaping the landscape of local conversations. TEDxBellevueWomen is the annual event born from the visionary trio of Kelly Suter, Terri Fujinaga, and Lia Mancuso. Neighbors and friends first, turned collaborators, these three women have woven their shared passion for the art of listening into a community-based event that celebrates diversity and innovation, centered on women’s perspective and voices.

This TEDxBellevueWomen team came together with the intention of overcoming the polarity and inflammation of the last few years, a space for real people to share real ideas.  More of a lark than anything else, in 2019, Kelly applied for and received a TEDx license (TEDx events are local and self-organized.[i]).  She enlisted the help of her friends, Terri and Lia, to embark on a journey that would transform their shared vision into a reality. Avid TED Talk listeners, these friends thought this type of event might help to revive the lost art of listening and perhaps even lift their community during such uncertain times. Together, they've navigated the complexities of running an annual event, progressively broadening their reach from an audience of 100 (initial license limit) to an anticipated license of nearly 400 for their upcoming 2024 event.

Motivated by a desire to create a platform for vibrant discussions and idea-sharing, each year carries a different theme bringing relevance and connection to the talks, starting with 'Unpacked' in 2019, 'Community' in 2022, and 'Lift' in 2023. The collaborators reflect a deep commitment to a platform where diverse thoughts and perspectives can intermingle and flourish. As with most great things, the COVID-19 pandemic closed the doors on the event for a couple of years, but the team returned with renewed determination, viewing their work as a kaleidoscope, creating a positive lens in our community spotlighting distinct voices speaking to a common theme.

The selection of speakers for TEDxBellevueWomen is a thoughtful and deliberate process. Their team is determined to create a space that emphasizes diverse voices and highlights interesting perspectives to the event's theme. Finding speakers through networking, proactive outreach, and LinkedIn, the TEDxBellevueWomen team has crafted an event that serves as a touchstone for ideas worth spreading in and around the Eastside. This careful curation culminates in an announcement each April, building anticipation for the event. This year, the event held at the Kirkland Performance Center will host five live speakers. Each will share an idea, couched in their personal stories, journeys, and insights. Ticket sales for the October 24th event go on sale at Home - Kirkland Performance Center (kpcenter.org) in August.

Beyond the local stage, TEDxBellevueWomen's influence resonates globally, with talks like "One Question to Ask About Your Child's Grades" by Cindi Williams and "How to Make Peace with Your Belly Fat" by Susan Lieu. This recognition is testament to the team’s success in amplifying voices that might otherwise go unheard. Their efforts have not only elevated local voices but have also contributed to a broader conversation about the challenges and subjects from women’s perspectives from around the world. This gathering is more than just an event; it's proof that a community can be created through the power of listening, the strength of vulnerability, and the endless possibilities that arise when diverse voices unite under a shared vision. Through their dedication and passion, Kelly, Terri, and Lia have created a legacy that will inspire countless individuals to listen, learn, and lift each other up for years to come.

 

[i] About TEDx, x = independently organized event

 In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TED Talks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized. (Subject to certain rules and regulations.)

TED is on a mission to discover and spread ideas that spark imagination, embrace possibility, and catalyze impact. Our organization is devoted to curiosity, reason, wonder, and the pursuit of knowledge — without an agenda. We welcome people from every discipline and culture who seek a deeper understanding of the world and connection with others, and we invite everyone to engage with ideas and activate them in your community. TED began in 1984 as a conference where Technology, Entertainment, and Design converged, but today it spans a multitude of worldwide communities and initiatives exploring everything from science and business to education, arts, and global issues. In addition to the hundreds of TED Talks curated from our annual conferences and published on TED.com, we produce original podcasts, short video series, animated educational lessons (TED-Ed), and TV programs that are translated into more than 100 languages and distributed via partnerships around the world. Each year, more than 3,000 independently run TEDx events bring people together to share ideas and bridge divides in communities on every continent. Through the Audacious Project, TED has helped catalyze more than $3 billion in funding for projects that seek to make the world more beautiful, sustainable, and just. In 2020, TED launched Countdown, an initiative to accelerate solutions to the climate crisis and mobilize a movement for a net-zero future. View a full list of TED’s many programs and initiatives. TED is owned by a nonprofit, nonpartisan foundation. Our aim is to help create a future worth pursuing for all.

Tickets for the October event go on sale in August at kpcenter.org.