She turned her challenges into superpowers

Published author and national speaker Brett Francis will speak at The Village’s Girl Within Luncheon this year in Hartford. Brett will join more than 500 people at the event, which supports programs for at-risk girls and young women in Greater Hartford. The Girl Within Luncheon is being held on Friday, December 7, 11:30 am - 1:30 pm at the Connecticut Convention Center.

Brett encourages people to “turn challenges into superpowers.” Some of the challenges that have made Brett a stronger person include Tourette's syndrome, ADHD, childhood bullying, anxiety, panic disorder, OCD, an abusive relationship, a miscarriage and depression.

Now, she travels the country as an inspirational speaker, works with organizations to build emotionally healthy workplace cultures, and her Not Broken® Radio show is heard on hundreds of stations across the globe.

In her bestselling book, Not Broken: How to Overcome Mental Health Challenges and Unlock Your Full Potential, Brett tells her powerful story and reveals the tools she has used to transform her challenges into strengths.

The Girl Within Luncheon is sponsored by The Village for Families & Children. For more than 200 years, The Village has worked to build a community of strong, healthy families who protect and nurture children. We fulfill this mission by providing a continuum of behavioral health treatment and support services for children and adults – including parenting education classes, outpatient mental health therapy, substance abuse treatment, and foster care and adoption – which help them achieve real and meaningful change in their lives.

Also speaking at the Luncheon will be a young woman, who with strength and resilience, like Brett, and help from The Village has overcome the obstacles she has faced in her life. Irene O’Connor, anchor, WFSB-TV Channel 3, will emcee the event.

The Luncheon also will honor The Village’s 2018 Woman of the Year, Carrie Firestone, a former NYC high school teacher, environmental activist, author of young adult books and co-founder of ForwardCT to promote civic engagement and encourage rising leaders at every level of government.

Individual tickets, tables and sponsorship opportunities are available. To learn more and to register for the event, visit www.thevillage.org/GWL2018.