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Edward Jones Financial Agent Grace Andrus said her inspiration to start a women’s encouragement group in Riverton came from the book Lean In, by former Google and now Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg. “I liked her book because it was not political, not religious and not feminist, but helpful,” Andrus said at her Main Street office. “The book acknowledges the challenge for women in society, including the fact that many women do not support each other.” Thus was born Lean In Fremont County.
Andrus said Lean In is not in the mold of the “Me Too” movement, but for women who are leaders… in their homes with family, in church, in their careers and for women who need someone to encourage them. “This is not for male bashing but a space for women to vent and then work together to find helpful solutions.” She said there are no dues or commitments to attend meetings, it’s just for women to encourage each other and be a positive force in the community.
“We want to raise awareness of bias issues and how to overcome those to be better humans,” Andrus said. “There’s a section of the book that speaks about something that is in the back of most women’s minds that holds them back from being successful,” she said. “I don’t want that, I want to help women to encourage themselves as they do for their husbands, sons and daughters. We want women to play to their strengths.”
The meetings, which start in February, will be held the second Tuesday of each month at Andrus’ office from 4:30 to 6 p.m. “I’ll have coffee, tea and water as refreshments.” Her office location is at 614 E Main St., Ste A, Riverton.
