Tuesday, April 21, 2026
11:30 am at Walker Hall Event Center
Empowered Women, Empower Women.

Each year more than 200 women come together for Power of the Purse, a unique event featuring a designer purse auction, keynote speaker, luncheon and networking opportunities. Proceeds from this event benefit United Way of Western Kentucky and Paducah Professional Women. The event was established in 2015 to honor Women's Equal Pay Day and aims to bring awareness to the pay gap between men and women.

Each designer purse in the online auction is stuffed with surprises that range from jewelry to spa certificates and much more.

This year's featured speaker is Dr. Bernice Willis, a trailblazer in leadership and service who has built a career marked by integrity, influence and impact. With nearly three decades of experience in federal law enforcement, training, development, and education she served in a wide range of leadership and operational roles, including counselor, law enforcement officer, Patrol Captain, Commander of Enforcement Operations, Accreditation Manager, National Field Training Manager, and College Pathways Coordinator. Dr. Willis has also served as the Commander of Training, Development, and Standards at the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Law Enforcement Training Center for the United States Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations Division. 

Today, Dr. Willis has shifted her focus to nonprofit work and is the Co-Director of Justice Circle of Nashville and the Director of INSPIRE, an initiative centered on youth deflection and mentorship. INSPIRE emphasizes a whole-student approach by fostering meaningful engagement, supportive environments, and holistic development while addressing social justice issues and cultivating future leaders.

Charitable Gaming License Number EXE0001467