'Little Black Dress' event celebrates power of women

This March 24, the June E. Nylen Cancer Center will join in celebrating women, overcoming disease and experiencing life to the fullest.The new Siouxland event, Power of the Little Black Dress, is aimed at offering women a chance to celebrate their strength, confidence and positive self-identity.Recognizing that heart disease and cancer are the No. 1 and No. 2 leading causes of death in women, this program also is aimed at promoting a strong spirit to cope.“We are excited about this new event,” said the Cancer Center’s Tracy Feathers. “This will allow Siouxland women to gather and share their stories of survival, perseverance and hope.”Keynote speaker Pat Wynn Brown uses her own bout with malignant melanoma as a catalyst to create soul-enriching connections with the audience through an uplifting and humorous look at our relationship with our hair and ourselves.Zany revelations and loads of fun cascade from her hair stories and cultural references as audiences embrace their days and nights not only as survivors, but as women who live their lives to the fullest.In addition to speaking, Brown is the author of two books, Hair-A-Baloo: The Revealing Comedy and Tragedy on Top of Your Head, and Momma Culpa: One Mother Comes Clean and Makes Her Maternal Confession.She also is director of “The Hair Theater” Fund at the Columbus Foundation, a non-profit that assists women in financial need with wigs and hats, necessitated by chemotherapy.Attendees receive a “degree” from “Beauty School” and will be better equipped to get through the rocky times with a smile on your face and be rejuvenated and renewed.In the spirit of Audrey Hepburn, little black dresses and black attire are encouraged.Other sponsors include Susan G. Komen for the Cure Siouxland Chapter and Mercy Medical Center Red Dress Ambassadors.Event detailsWhat: Power of the Little Black DressWhen: Thursday, March 24Where: Marina Inn Conference Center, South Sioux City, Neb.Time:  Social - 5:30 p.m.Dinner and dessert - 6 p.m.“Hair Theater” - 7 p.m.Tickets: $20, call Karen at 279-2989 for tickets.