Herspace Focuses on Empowering Women through Collaborative Space

Housed in a former middle school in Midtown Kansas City, Plexpod Westport Commons is a coworking space for men and women alike.

But now there will be a specific spot for women only. It’s called Herspace, and it officially opens Tuesday, Sept. 4, but Plexpod members got a sneak peek this week.

Herspace has private meeting rooms, collaborative space, and a variety of other amenities, including a kitchen, outdoor area, a mother’s room, security and storage lockers.

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The primarily pink accents — think sophisticated-glam — juxtapose perfectly with the male-only bastions that have existed for years, said Lauren Conaway, director of operations for the Kansas City Startup Foundation.

“I see it impacting women in all kinds of ways, first off, just knowing you’re supported, just knowing you have a place you can go that’s just for you and just for women like you,” she said. “There are a lot of institutional boys club out there … so [this is] having an equal opportunity for women to come together.”

A women’s-only space helps foster a community of female innovators and entrepreneurs, said Stephanie Medina, director of operations for Plexpod.

“I feel like we’re very much on the forefront, and we’ll be growing and evolving,” she said. “I want this to be a space where women can come and connect, but we’re also where we’re reaching a broader audience and engaging with the community as a whole.

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Herspace plans to bring in speakers and women-centric programming. Those events will be open to men.

Rebecca Dove, innovative officer and founder of Pennez, an education technology company in Kansas City, hopes the space helps break down ageism by connecting young women with their baby boomer counterparts.

“I think it’s really important to invest in women,” she said, “and we need to make sure it’s women from all walks of life.”

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