NDSU Women’s Club has scheduled Chris Linnares to speak at its first fall event, Monday, Sept. 12, at 7:30 p.m. at the Waterford Auditorium, 1200 Harwood Drive in Fargo. Linnares will discuss her journey from Brazil to Fargo and how she developed her women’s wellness and empowerment program, Diva Dance.

Linnares’ personal health journey also led to creation of the book, “Beautiful Women of North Dakota,” which profiles women who’ve made significant contributions to their communities. Linnares is an international author, Brazilian psychotherapist and weight loss master coach. Together with her husband, Fargo Forum publisher and filmmaker Billy Black Marcil, she has created “Beautiful Women Of,” a social project that encourages youth to use art and literature as a way of expanding the definition of beauty and bringing human values to light. In 2011, more than 12,000 youth will have an opportunity to be touched by this mission.

Linnares is a member of the International Coach Federation and serves on the board of directors of the YWCA Cass Clay, an organization dedicated to eliminating racism and empowering women.

The fall event will begin with a meet-and-greet for members, prospective members and guests at 6:30 p.m. with a brief business meeting at 6:50 p.m. The Linnares event at 7:30 p.m. is open to the public, with seating beginning at 7:20 p.m. A book signing will follow.