Finger Lakes Region, NY—“Where Brave Women Winter” is the successful campaign launched last winter by a group of counties within the Finger Lakes Regional Tourism Council (FLRTC) to kick off Women’s History Month. This homage to the region’s historic trailblazers is designed to inform and inspire people to experience the area in a fresh, modern way. As it enters its second season, the campaign expands its focus to highlight innovative and creative women business owners who are blazing their own trails. The tourism initiative and the campaign website, bravewomenflx.com, are the result of an ongoing collaborative effort by Cayuga, Seneca, and Ontario counties, with additional support from Monroe county. Karen Kuhl, executive director of the Cayuga County Office of Tourism, is optimistic about the opportunity to attract New York State visitors in the coming months: “While tourism certainly looks different in the current COVID-19 environment, our area hotels, historic attractions, wineries, breweries, and restaurants have worked tirelessly to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for visitors.”
As if the year 2020 needed any more events to solidify its place in the history books, we can now add to the list electing Kamala Harris as the first female, first Black, and first South Asian vice president of the United States. The fact that it coincides with the 100th anniversary of the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment guaranteeing women the right to vote makes it all the more significant. The legacy of the brave suffragists and equal-rights activists of the Finger Lakes region lives on.
According to Kuhl, the Brave Women FLX campaign connects the past with the present in a unique way by shining a light on women’s accomplishments and progress. Local women-owned marketing agency Three Needs Creative developed the campaign concept, creative, and marketing strategy. The team commissioned NY-based artist Kirsten Ulve to develop original artwork for the campaign.
“We’re excited to expand the ‘Brave Women’ story to include the incredible women who are building successful businesses all over the Finger Lakes region,” says Kuhl. “All of the COVID-19 challenges have required a lot of grit, resilience, and courage from many of these women business owners and we are honored to support them and lift them up with this campaign at a time they need it most.”
Due to COVID-19-related travel restrictions, the tourism industry is encouraging New York State residents to explore their own backyards this season. Locals and visitors can go to bravewomenflx.com for curated checklists to help them get inspired to explore the area. They’ll enjoy a firsthand look at local historic women like Harriet Tubman, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Susan B. Anthony while also learning about the women owners behind some of the region’s successful breweries, wineries, attractions, and boutiques.
To inquire about a private, COVID-19-friendly press tour, please contact Karen Kuhl at karen@tourcayuga.com.