NORWICH – On Thursday night, Catholic Charities of Chenango County will hold their sixth annual Celebration of Women from 6 to 8 p.m. at Howard Johnson’s in Norwich.

Featuring musical entertainment, demonstrations, speakers and information from local businesses and organizations, the event is hoped to show women what is available to them. “[The celebration] is about showing women little bits of what they could be a part of,” said Catholic Charities Senior Advocate Maggie O’Connor. “You can make it on your own.”

Business and organizations featured at the event were carefully chosen by the staff of CC Crime Victim’s Program, O’Connor explained. “The goal was to create and ensure the finest sampling of women-centered service providers and services available in the Chenango County Community,” a program for the event reads.

When the event first began in 2004, O’Connor said about 30 people attended. “It’s been growing ever since,” she said. Last year, the event drew in between 150 to 200. In addition, the number of service providers at the event has grown. “We have more guest speakers, music and demonstrations, too,” said Rape Crisis Coordinator and Community Educator Beth Neuland.