Julie Stenger HEALTH, HOPE — Guest speaker Delores Pressley, right, was welcomed to Pink Power Night by Laurie Labishak, market director for marketing and communications at Trinity Health System.

STEUBENVILLE — They wore their pink, they uplifted each other and they shared their stories of strength, of hope, of faith.

Women throughout the community gathered at the St. Florian Event Center Wednesday evening to celebrate women and breast cancer survivors during Trinity Health System’s Pink Power Night.

The Pink Power Night: Empowering Health, Illuminating Hope event offered a few special hours where residents could show support, educate and appreciate a space to connect with others.

“At Trinity Health System, we believe in the power of community and compassionate care. Pink Power Night is the perfect embodiment of our vision for a healthier future for all — one powered by our humanity,” said Laurie Labishak, market director for marketing and communications at Trinity.

Among the many stations inside the hall was an area led by patient navigator and mammographer Kayla Beaver, who has been with Trinity for five years. She explained the importance of screenings and receiving a breast sonogram, noting those older than 40 should receive an annual checkup, along with performing monthly self-breast exams.

Beaver said people are familiar with their own bodies, so checking every month for any irregularities and reporting any issues is extremely important and can be life-saving.

Offering guests a chance to accept free pens, calendars and heart-shaped stress balls — all in the color pink — Beaver’s table included information about the nonprofit Knitted Knockers, a group that knits prosthetics free of charge for women who cannot wear certain prosthetics for various reasons, including being uncomfortable.

Beaver said the biggest misconception is when someone believes that because there is no family history of cancer, they should not have to be tested.

“We do our best to make this process as smooth and as comfortable as possible,” Beaver added.

Among the guests in attendance was Malanye Wares, whose grandmother and sister died from the disease.

Wares stated she attends St. Peter’s AME Church in Weirton and noted how breast cancer has hit home in the church’s congregation as well. She expressed how she was amazed at many of the women in the room whom she knows that were there as a survivor of breast cancer.

“You just never know,” she said.

Others, like Wares, were there to show their support for survivors and in remembrance of those who lost their battle with the disease.

The crowd gathered at the stage area where Labishak provided the welcome, asking if events such as this should be held more often, to which guests responded “yes.”

Labishak introduced Janet Sharpe, a member of the Women in Action Against Cancer Coalition.

Sharpe explained she has been a part of WIAACC for 22 years, with the nonprofit’s mission being to increase awareness of early detection.

“Our goal is to encourage and motivate people to take charge of their health and prevent cancer,” she stated, adding people are always welcome to join the coalition.

Following a special wreath ceremony and a proclamation read by Jefferson County Commissioner Eric Timmons, Wintersville Mayor Mike Petrella read a village resolution that supports the coalition’s mission and gave a personal check to the organization.

Labishak, while introducing the guest speaker, said Trinity wanted to find someone who is powerful, motivational, inspiring and a woman. She said following a Google search, she became very impressed when seeing YouTube videos of a woman who performed a Pink Power Tour throughout North Carolina and knew right then that “if that isn’t God saying, ‘This is your girl,’ then I don’t know what is.”

Labishak welcomed to the stage Delores Pressley, a woman who presents an empowering message of hope and resilience across the country.

Pressley has appeared on “Oprah,” “Entertainment Tonight” and major television networks. She has appeared in publications including the Chicago Tribune, Washington Post, SUCCESS, Glamour, Marie Claire and People.

Pressley told her audience to uncross their mental arms, as she had to learn how to do.

She recalled how at the age of 5, she wanted to be a ballerina. However, Pressley’s mother put her into tap lessons because people had commented she was fat and needed tap, not ballet.

“It changed the trajectory of my whole life,” Pressley said. She said no one was going to tell her what to do throughout the remainder of her life and if she is told she cannot do something, she will, without a doubt, attempt to do it.

She said she did take ballet at the age of 60. When she was told by her guidance counselor in high school she wasn’t college material, she went to college. And, when she was told there were no plus-size modeling agencies, she helped start one.

Pressley said many struggle from imposter syndrome, asking themselves, “Am I good enough?” Michelle Phifer, Tom Hanks and Michelle Obama are some examples of celebrities who struggle with imposter syndrome, she explained. Some of the signs include downplaying your achievements, avoiding opportunities and comparing yourself to others, she noted.

Those participating in Wednesday’s Pink Power Night had the opportunity to learn from Pressley and received a chance to inspire friends, relatives and even strangers during the event. It is the hope of those at Trinity that this can continue into the community, officials explained.