The 4word 2021 Virtual Gala: An Evening with Mary Lou Retton, will be a victorious evening of inspiration, camaraderie, faith, and unapologetic ambition held on February 27, 2021.
While this inspirational event is normally held in person, this year it will be completely virtual. No need for plane tickets or hotel rooms; you can watch from either the comfort of your own home or amongst one the many nationwide watch parties.
Everyone has to find the small inspirations that help each of us push through the obstacles. Avoid being stuck by looking for ways to simply quantify your progress, and keep your passion and sense of play going. Celebrate the small milestones. Molly Fletcher
The sixth annual online celebration, filmed live from The Slate multi-media studios in Dallas, TX, will feature an entertaining discussion amongst the celebrity guests, a brilliant live and silent auction, and a spectacular customized gift to commemorate the special occasion.
“For our organization’s landmark 10th Anniversary, we are honored to have two incredible and inspirational powerhouses take the stage, providing insight on how to perform at peak levels to achieve professional and personal success based on the characteristics of real-life champions,” says Diane Paddison, founder and executive director of 4word.
Mary Lou Retton is a household name, internationally, as one of America’s best-known Olympians by winning the All-Around Gold Medal in women’s gymnastics, the first American woman to ever do so. She won five medals total, the most won by any athlete at the 1984 Olympics. She continues to touch millions of lives as a motivational speaker, gymnastics media expert and commentator, budding actress, author, and global “Fitness Ambassador,” promoting the benefits of proper nutrition and regular exercise. She has received countless awards and recognition, from being the first woman to appear on the Wheaties Box to receiving The Flo Hyman Award by First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton in 1995 for her spirit, dignity, and commitment to excellence.
Hailed as the “female Jerry Maguire” by CNN, Molly Fletcher is a trailblazer in every sense of the word – a rare talent of business wisdom, relationship brilliance and unwavering optimism. Complementing the gala stage with an Olympian, Molly thrived as one of the world’s first female sports agents, recruiting and representing hundreds of sports’ biggest names, including Hall of Fame pitcher John Smoltz, PGA TOUR golfer Matt Kuchar, broadcaster Erin Andrews, and basketball championship coaches Tom Izzo and Doc Rivers. She is now a successful entrepreneur, motivational speaker, author of five books, and host of the Game Changers podcast that focuses on maximizing one’s influence and potential.
4word is a global faith-based community that empowers and inspires women in the workplace through personal connection and mentoring to reach their God-given potential with confidence. 4word’s global programming provides tools and resources to connect, support and encourage women as they face opportunities and challenges in their careers and personal lives. Through these connections, 4word women build authentic friendships with women who share their Christ-centered values.
For women looking for a more personal experience, Founder Diane Paddison, would like to extend an invitation for women around the world to join a Community Group through their mentorship program. “So many women have told me, wow I finally found my tribe,” expressed Paddison, while talking about the Community Group programs, “It is all about inspiration and confidence”. Some of these groups are held virtually, while some are now meeting in person again.
I’m very determined and stubborn. There’s a desire in me that makes me want to do more and more, and to do it right. Each one of us has a fire in our heart for something. It’s our goal in life to find it and to keep it lit. Mary Lou Retton
Diane Paddison, the Founder of 4Word Women and Author of Work, Love, Pray started this organization in 2011 as a means to inspire and empower women. When asked why she began this journey Diane Paddison remarked “I’ve got to have women feel confident using the gifts God gave them in the work place.”
4Word Women is an organization built for women of like precious faith. The second half of Esther 4:14 reads, “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Diane Paddison shared this verse during our interview as her inspiration for starting this movement.
4word 2021 Virtual Gala: An Evening with Mary Lou Retton, moderated by trailblazer Molly Fletcher and presented by Toyota, will be held on Saturday, February 27th, 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. CST. Individual tickets for the online gala and commemorative gift start at $500. Sponsorship opportunities are available at the $5,000, $10,000, and $25,000 levels. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.4wordwomen.org/gala or text GALA to 95577.
Founder Diane Paddison and Palm Beach County Group Leader, Kelly Kendrick share their experience with Palm Beach Christian Voice.
About the Author
Cassondra Cofresi-Tuska is a daughter of our Lord and Savior first and foremost, as well as the wife of a loving husband, and mother of six amazing kids. She graduated Texas A&M in 2006 with a Master’s degree in English, and she has spent her career writing in every field possible. Journalism is a passion she holds dear and works fiercely at. She is Puerto Rican by birth but raised in Germany. For this reason she is fluent in both languages, which has opened many doors for her in her writing endeavors. In writing, it is her goal to leave words for generations that will find inspiration and encouragement from them.