Five Years of WE Brunch: Advancing Women’s Equity and Building Community
For the past five years, Women’s Equity Brunch (WE Brunch) has created a powerful space for women in Central Indiana to connect, celebrate, and advance equity together. What began as a bold idea by co-founders Amanda L. Bonilla and Doneisha Posey has grown into a signature convening where women leaders lift each other up, share stories of resilience, and imagine a more inclusive future for the workplace and beyond.
This October, as WE Brunch marks its fifth anniversary, it continues to spotlight the reality many women in male-dominated industries know too well: women often work harder, achieve more, and go further just to access half the opportunities available to their male counterparts.
Women in Male-Dominated Industries
The data is clear. Women represent nearly 47% of the U.S. workforce, yet remain significantly underrepresented in leadership roles. In the construction industry alone, women account for less than 11% of the workforce, and in engineering, at just 16% (U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Women CEO Report). Even in industries where representation is stronger, pay inequities persist. On average, women earn 82 cents for every dollar earned by men, with even larger gaps for Women of Color.
These barriers are systemic, not individual. “Women often feel pressure to outperform in every measure—competence, credentials, and results—just to be seen as equal,” explains WE Brunch co-founder Amanda L. Bonilla. “WE Brunch was born out of the recognition that women needed not just inspiration, but connection and solidarity to one another in the communities they live and work.. A place to be reminded that you are not alone in the fight for equity.”
Building a Community for Women’s Equity
Since its founding, WE Brunch has evolved into more than an annual event. It is a community of women navigating male-dominated fields, finding support, and building networks. The brunch creates space for candid conversations, professional connections, and stories of triumph that inspire others to keep pushing forward.
At its heart, WE Brunch is about activation. Each year, attendees leave not only inspired but also connected to resources, mentors, and peers who can help them take the next step in their personal and professional journeys. Since its inception, WE Brunch has supported women who have been elected into public office, exited corporate America to build their own businesses, and risen in leadership roles at church, at home, and across the community.
Advancing Gender Equity in Business
WE Brunch’s milestone anniversary underscores an urgent truth: closing equity gaps requires collective action. Business leaders, policymakers, and communities must take intentional steps to support women in leadership pipelines, address pay disparities, and foster workplaces where women’s contributions are valued and amplified.
As WE Brunch celebrates five years, the call to action is clear: support women in business, advocate for equity, and ensure the next five years move us closer to a future where women don’t have to prove themselves twice over to be seen—they simply receive the opportunities they’ve earned.
Business Equity for Indy companies are encouraged to support WE Brunch through sponsorship of the event and the women within your organization.
