Women from the Provo community gathered this week for the city’s annual women’s day celebration.
Hosted by Provo City, the event on Saturday, March 14, brought women together for a celebration of leadership, connection and growth. It featured inspirational speeches, a luncheon and recognition of women who have made an impact in the community.
This year’s theme, “Golden,” encouraged attendees to reflect on the strength and value women bring to their families, workplaces and communities.
In opening remarks, Marsha Judkins, mayor of Provo, praised the diverse group of women gathered and emphasized the importance of supporting one another.
“Today is about bringing us all together,” Judkins said. “It is amazing to see women from all stages of life and every corner of our community here together. We have different careers and responsibilities, but we share the understanding that progress does not happen alone.”
Judkins used the event’s theme to reflect on the symbolism of gold.
“In its natural state, gold is often hidden, and conditions are not always ideal for it to shine,” Judkins said. “Most of it exists where no one sees it, where it is quietly valuable long before it’s ever recognized.”
Judkins highlighted the work that women do that, like gold, is frequently undervalued.
“Much of the work women do in families and communities goes unseen, but that value has never depended on whether it was recognized. In fact, history has far too often ignored, written out or devalued the extraordinary and valuable contributions of women,” Judkins said.
She spoke about how community leadership relies on connection and mutual support, referencing the South African philosophy Ubuntu — “I am, because we are” — to highlight women supporting one another.
“It reflects the idea that our lives are deeply connected, that who we are is shaped by those who came before us and those who walk beside us,” Judkins said. “I am because we are sisters, mothers, grandmas, friends, mentors and leaders who, sometimes loudly and sometimes quietly, are moving humanity forward.”
The program featured keynote speakers Natalie Madsen and Whitney Call, comedians and former cast members of the sketch comedy series Studio C and co-founders of JK! Studios. Both women shared personal stories about balancing careers, family life and self-confidence.
Madsen spoke about navigating her career while becoming a mother and learning to overcome self-doubt.
“I’ve always had this voice in my head, I call my Jiminy Cricket, that’s just asking, ‘Well, why not me? Why not try it?'” Madsen said.
She described how that mindset shifted as she got older and faced new challenges.
“And then as we get older, maybe that ‘Why not?’ starts to change into ‘Well, why me?’ and ‘I don’t think I can do this,'” Madsen said.
She encouraged attendees to grow into their voices and to have a “Why not me?” mindset, even in difficult circumstances.
“I would just say go for your goals. Rejection is redirection. Even if things don’t always work out, why not try it? Why not you?” Madsen said.
Call followed with a message focused on self-worth and redefining personal success, drawing from her experiences on Studio C and as a mother.
“Am I worth my shortcomings?” Call asked. “Is that ever a question that you have deep down in your bones?”
She described the pressure to constantly improve and the fear that comes with comparison, then challenged those ideas.
“I don’t think life is like a ladder or a staircase,” Call said. “Life seems more like tree rings, you just keep expanding, layer upon layer.”
Call emphasized that personal value is not based on productivity or achievement.
“We are human beings, not human doing,” Call said.
Call also encouraged the audience to approach themselves with compassion, especially in moments of failure or weakness.
“You get to learn from your decisions, just like everybody else. You’re doing the next right thing, and that’s all you can do,” Call said.
Attendees said the speakers’ honesty and vulnerability were the most impactful part of the event.
Amanda Bee, a Provo resident attending the event for the first time, said the event exceeded her expectations.
“I think it’s been so fun. The speakers, Whitney and Natalie, were phenomenal,” Bee said. “We were crying, then laughing.”
Bee said hearing the women speak openly was refreshing.
“It’s so good when adult women speak truth to each other instead of just perfection, and I feel like that was so impactful to hear,” Bee said.
Throughout the program, speakers returned to the theme of recognizing the value women bring.
Judkins said those contributions are what continue to strengthen the city.
“When we support each other, share opportunities and make space for each other’s growth … we build a community that is stronger and more resilient,” Judkins said.
The attendees celebrated the message that every woman's story and contribution is worth recognizing.
“You are golden,” Judkins said. “And today we celebrate that together.”