The 11th Annual 200 Women United Empowerment Conference took place April 11. 

The theme was "This is the Year of Us."

A networking and vending hour took place before the evening's award gala. There was live music performed by Corey Cook, "Life Through Music."

The gala included honoring the excellence of women the work they have done throughout Erie and the surrounding areas. 

One woman named Elaine Yvette won Businesswoman of the Year for her health and wellness business. Yvette says, "When I was little, I did not see me, someone that looks like me, even like a teacher or a doctor anything like that. As I got older, I wanted to be the prime example. I wanted to be the person that actually, little girls and little boys can look up to, cause I believe they see me, they'll be like, 'if she can do it, I know I can!' so of course we have to do more of that, seeing more of us so we can be a better community."

The event closes with conference workshop classes on Saturday April 12 from 8:30 to 9 a.m.