VENUS WILLIAMS TO BE SPECIAL GUEST AT YWCA OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY’S 20th ANNUAL EMPOWERING WOMEN LUNCHEON

Announcement of Venus Williams as Guest Speaker for the Empowering Women Luncheon in October 2026.

Rochester to welcome tennis champion and entrepreneur Venus Wiliams - one of the most accomplished and inspiring women in the history of sports. This year’s inspirational event, “Serving Strength. Building Futures,” celebrates the YWCA’s mission to meet the needs of women and families in our community.

Rochester, N.Y., April 21, 2026 – YWCA of Rochester and Monroe County will host their 20th annual Empowering Women Luncheon on Wednesday, October 7th at the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center. The event raises funds for YWCA of Rochester and Monroe County’s continuing mission to eliminate racism and empower women in the Rochester community. YWCA of Rochester and Monroe County’s programs serve up to 1,350 people each year.

The annual Empowering Women Luncheon is one of Rochester’s best-attended, and most talked about events. This year’s theme, “Serving Strength. Building Futures.,” celebrates the strength of our collective power, and the hope and support that the YWCA has offered to women and families throughout the organization’s 143-year history. The YWCA are delighted to announce Venus Williams as their special guest at the luncheon.

With 7 Grand Slam titles, 5 Wimbledon championships, and 4 Olympic gold medals, tennis champion Venus Williams is arguably one of the most accomplished and inspiring women in the history of sports. Off the court, Venus has combined her sharp business acumen with her competitive spirit to build several successful ventures spanning art, design, wellness, and entertainment. She is the founder of V Starr, an award-winning full-service commercial and residential design firm. Venus’s entrepreneurship also extends into the health and wellness space, having launched her plant-based protein company, Happy Viking, in December 2020.

Most recently, Venus partnered with Serena on an exclusive X Originals video podcast series, Stockton Street, which premiered in September 2025. The platform gives them a chance to engage directly with the fans who have supported them throughout their careers, and they’re excited to connect with audiences— old and new—in a way they’ve never done before.

Venus released her health and wellness book, STRIVE, in August 2024 with Amistad and HarperCollins. In it, she draws from her own personal health and wellness journey to share an easy-to-follow yet innovative life improvement program founded on her eight essential tenets: Observe, Appreciate, Balance, Enrich, Soothe, Believe, Inspire, and Strive. Most recently, Venus became an investor and ambassador for the walking and wellness app WeWard, encouraging healthier and more active lifestyles worldwide.

Throughout her career, Venus has been a steadfast advocate for equality. In 2006, UNESCO, the United Nations’ cultural organization, named her its first “Promoter of Gender Equality.” In 2007, it was her unwavering fight that led Wimbledon to award women players the same pay as their male counterparts. In 2023, Venus received the inaugural US Open Billie Jean King Champion of Equality Award, recognizing her continued dedication to promoting equality and leveling the playing field for athletes.

The YWCA is delighted to welcome her to Rochester for the 20th Annual Empowering Women Luncheon. Emceed by News10NBC’s Deanna Dewberry, a multi-award-winning anchor and investigative reporter with three decades of experience in television news, the Empowering Women Luncheon begins at 12:00pm with lunch, followed by a fireside chat with Venus Williams and Dr. Myra Henry, President and CEO of YWCA of Rochester and Monroe County.

“The 2026 Empowering Women Luncheon is a powerful call to action,” said Dr. Myra Henry, President and CEO. “Rooted in this year’s theme, Serving Strength, Building Futures, it brings our community together to honor resilience, invest in opportunity, and advance YWCA Rochester and Monroe County’s programs and services, supporting women and families through crisis. Every story shared and every dollar raised helps build stronger futures and transforms lives.”

Funds raised from this event will help YWCA of Rochester and Monroe County continue to sustain and expand critical supportive housing, in-home community care services, and their specialized workforce development program.

Tickets to the Empowering Women Luncheon are $100 per person with reserved seating. A limited number of VIP tickets are available at $200. To purchase tickets and for further information on sponsoring this event, please visit the events page on www.ywcarochester.org.

This year’s Empowering Women Luncheon is supported by sponsors* including Bond Schoeneck and King, Faraci Lange, Modern Wealth Management, SUNY Brockport, The Summit Federal Credit Union, and Tennis Club of Rochester; and Media Sponsors News10NBC and The Beat 105.5. Event sponsorships are available.

For more information on sponsoring this event, please visit our events page on www.ywcarochester.org, or contact Rebecca Steiner, Vice President of Development at rsteiner@ywcarochester.org.