By Yolanda F. Johnson

Guest of a Guest, Patrick McMullan, and New York Social Diary are just a few of the places where you can find photos of people celebrating, networking, striking a pose and looking fabulous all for the sake of charity and good work.

If you are even a part-time extrovert and like to meet people and have fun while looking your best, or if you want to branch out to try something new and be more social, why not embrace your inner socialite and hit the events scene this year? “Special” events are only special because the people who attend them care about the cause, all while enjoying themselves.

One of the things to remember in our day-to-day lives is to try to think more intersectional vs. compartmentalizing and judging, because the fundamental aspects of life are intersectional and carry through in many ways. So instead of seeing events, social outings, and party pics of fashionable people as something only of face value or shallow and fleeting, think of them as potential opportunities to try something new.

Be ready for doors to open at these events as you make connections that could potentially change your life or career trajectory. You may meet your new husband or wife. And best of all, you may find ways to go deeper with the charities, which could even lead to opportunities for leadership, by serving on an event committee and using your talents and skills, or perhaps even chairing an event yourself over time!

And don’t forget to have fun with it all! This is a perfect opportunity to experiment with new fashion ideas, hairstyles, jewelry, and makeup. Come up with a signature style or the thing about you that starts to get you noticed. Be bold. Be unafraid. Be unabashedly you. Events and social activities are also great ways to be an ambassador for what you believe in and to educate yourself about other causes and people you may not know much about yet.

Social events mean social media! Be sure to document your foray onto the red carpet and don’t forget to snap plenty of photos both to enjoy and to remember. But don’t just highlight yourself; remember to spotlight the work of the charity as well.

So now that you’re ready to embrace your inner socialite, I challenge you to find or choose three events to go to in the first half of this year. Strike a pose, meet new people, celebrate a cause you love, and look and feel fabulous while doing it. And that, my dears, is partying with a purpose.