— 60 vendors filled Detroit Lakes High School on Saturday, April 11, as part of the
held by the
organization.
“I’m so inspired by She Ascends, and how they bring women together for hiking and outdoor recreation,”
, executive director of Detroit Mountain, said while manning a booth with her mountain bike propped up against it. “It’s also just awesome to be a part of an event that empowers women to take ownership in their lives and get outside and run their own business and all the stuff that we have going on here.”
is a women’s hiking and wellness organization with a mission to empower women through community, connection, nature and self-discovery.
and events take place throughout the region, including Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin.
The executive director at Detroit Mountain, Jenny Sheets, right, mans a booth during the She Ascends Lakes Area Women’s Expo at Detroit Lakes High School on Saturday, April 11, 2026.
Abby Fostveit / Detroit Lakes Tribune
“In everybody’s life, we need balance,” She Ascends
said. “We want you to be the best version of yourself — how do you look at all the aspects of our lives and see this is where we are strong, and this is where we need help, and how do we connect women to find connection in these areas?”
Jenson founded She Ascends roughly five years ago, born out of a love for hiking as a way to de-stress. It ultimately evolved into a mission of connecting women to each other, the outdoors and themselves. The day drew a steady flow of women from across the region, including southern Minnesota and Bismarck, North Dakota.
“No competition, no judgment. It really is, come authentically and just be,” Jenson said.
The North Country Trail was one of 60 vendor booths at the She Ascends Lakes Area Women’s Expo on Saturday, April 11, 2026.
Abby Fostveit / Detroit Lakes Tribune
Funds from tickets and donations went directly to the
which honors the life of Emma Erickson, who died in June 2018. Jenson, who was her teacher in elementary school, recalled her love of frogs and a lively personality, often carrying worms in her pockets. The scholarship is meant to help support young women with post-secondary education expenses.
“We hope each recipient feels the strength and encouragement of a circle of women standing beside them, offering love and hope when it’s needed most,” the She Ascends website states.
For more information on She Ascends, visit their website at
or visit their Facebook page at
Resonance Sound Healing out of Fargo was one of 60 vendor booths at the She Ascends Lakes Area Women’s Expo on Saturday, April 11, 2026.
Abby Fostveit / Detroit Lakes Tribune
Abby Fostveit is a reporter and staff photographer for the Detroit Lakes Tribune and Perham Focus. Before moving to the area, Fostveit graduated with a degree in journalism and a minor in environmental studies from Butler University in Indianapolis in May 2024, where she also competed on the cross country and track and field teams as a middle-distance runner.