St. Louis, Missouri | October 18, 2025 –YWCA Metro St. Louis, in partnership with Ulta Beauty, hosted its 2025 Pretty Empowered event on Saturday, October 18, bringing over 80 girls from the I Define ME Movement and Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis for a day filled with inspiration, education, and empowerment.
Held at Phyllis Wheatley Heritage Center, the event featured hands-on workshops, wellness sessions, and mentorship opportunities that allowed participants to explore self-care, career pathways, and STEM-related opportunities.
During the event, the girls had the opportunity to work with Dr. Natalie King, Ph.D., neuroscientist and CEO and Founder of Florae Beauty, a personalized, plant-powered hair wellness brand. Dr. King guided participants through creating their own hair rinse while sharing insights about clean, science-backed ingredients and the role of science in beauty and wellness.
Participants also joined a session with Tracie Berry-McGhee, LCSW, Founder of I Define ME Movement, focusing on wellness and self-care. In this session, girls learned the importance of filling their personal “cup,” explored the idea that possibilities are beautiful, and discovered career opportunities in therapy and counseling.
The day concluded with a session led by Ulta Beauty employees who introduced the girls to the world of supply chain and store operations. Participants gained insight into how retail businesses run, the logistics behind products reaching store shelves, and the range of career opportunities available within the beauty industry.
“Pretty Empowered gives young women the opportunity to see themselves as future leaders in business, science, and wellness,” said Dr. Cheryl Watkins-Knott, MBA, President and Chief Executive Officer of YWCA Metro St. Louis. “We’re so proud to partner with Ulta Beauty to create experiences that spark curiosity, build confidence, and empower girls to lead.”
“Ulta Beauty is excited to partner with YWCA Metro St. Louis to help inspire the next generation of confident, creative leaders,” said Denise Garrison, Ulta Beauty St. Louis District Manager. “It was incredible to watch these girls make their own products, engage in wellness activities, and explore career opportunities while leaving the event feeling inspired and empowered.”
YWCA Metro St. Louis continues to champion initiatives that connect girls to mentorship, education, and leadership opportunities, emphasizing the importance of self-confidence, wellness, and career exploration. “This program reflects our mission to empower women and build strong, equitable communities,” said Watkins-Knott. “When we invest in girls, we invest in the future.”
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ABOUT YWCA:
YWCA Metro St. Louis is the region’s leading advocate for the safety, security and stability of women and children, serving nearly 10,000 women and families annually. The mission of YWCA is eliminating racism and empowering women. YWCA offers crisis services and rapid re-housing for victims of sexual and domestic violence; services for pregnant women, Head Start and Early Head Start early childhood education; career readiness and economic empowerment services for all clients; and racial justice educational programs.