Celebrating Women Who Lead, Build, and Rise Together

Congresswoman Sykes hosted the 2026 Women in Leadership Conference at the Akron Art Museum, bringing together more than 200 women entrepreneurs, elected officials, labor leaders, and community members from across Ohio's 13th Congressional District. Congresswoman Sykes was joined by U.S. House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark, Congresswoman Shontel Brown (OH-11), Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), United Steelworkers International President Roxanne D. Brown, and local business and community leaders.   The conference was a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish when women lift each other up. Congresswoman Sykes is grateful to every speaker and guest who joined the conference for honest conversations about leadership, economic empowerment, and public service. She looks forward to continuing to build a pipeline of women leaders across our community, and to keep fighting for policies that give every woman the opportunity to thrive.