The Pittsburgh Penguins and Penguins Foundation, with the support of corporate partners 84 Lumber and DICK’S Sporting Goods, will celebrate the NHL’s Gender Equality Month in March. Gender Equality Month aims to amplify women and girls driving the sport of hockey and those throughout our community.

The month-long celebration kicked off this week with the official launch of the EmpowerHER Grant, presented by 84 Lumber. The EmpowerHER Grant aims to highlight local, woman-owned businesses and provide the winning business with a $25,000 grant to further support her business. Nominations are now open and can be submitted here through March 7. The EmpowerHER Grant is a part of 84 Lumber’s L.I.F.T. (Leading & Inspiring Females to Thrive) program with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Penguins will host the fourth annual Her Hockey Day presented by 84 Lumber when they face the Detroit Red Wings on March 27. This day recognizes those girls stepping onto the ice for the first time, the women cheering on the Penguins from home and those who are trailblazers in the NHL. Beginning on March 20, fans may enter the Penguins Foundation’s #HerHockey contest on social media to win tickets to the game. Discounted tickets for the Her Hockey Day can be purchased here.

The Penguins and 84 Lumber will also host a L.I.F.T. Women’s Panel pre-game prior to the Her Hockey game on Mar. 27. The panel will feature accomplished women professionals throughout several industries that will speak on the hurdles they’ve faced throughout their rise to leadership and how they’ve overcome that adversity. Guests will then be invited to attend the game. Information on how to attend can be found here.

Her Hockey Day will also include a Her Hockey Auction presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods. Beginning on Mar. 27, the Penguins Foundation and DICK’S Sporting Goods will be auctioning off Penguins memorabilia, including Her Hockey Day locker room nameplates, as well as items provided by the Lady Pens. Fans can text PENS to 76278 to join the auction and will have the opportunity to bid until April 4 to assist with growing girls hockey in the Pittsburgh region.

PensGear will be donating 10% of all ladies and girls item purchases to the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation from March 27 to April 2. Proceeds will support the Foundation’s girls hockey programming.

Visit the Penguins webpage dedicated to Gender Equality Month to learn more and find the latest updates for this month-long celebration.