Women's Fund of WMass Sets Biannual Conference
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The daylong program takes place from 7:30 to 2:30 at the Springfield Sheraton in Springfield with the theme "Leaders Among Us: Women Redefining What's Possible."
Among the featured speakers and panelists will be award-winning NPR and PBS correspondent Maria Hinojosa, speaking on the importance of sharing the untold stories of heroes whose experiences and contributions make a significant difference. Hinojosa's work has brought to light the efforts of women who have helped implement meaningful and positive change.
The Women's Fund will also celebrate the work of six such heroines, conferring Ripple Effect Awards on women who have benefited from the services of fund grantee partners and who have gone on to make significant improvements in the lives of other women and girls in their communities.
The honorees are Analiz Garcia, Roxanne Roman and Arlene Sanchez, both of Hampden County, Savannah Marion of Berkshire County and Lisa Cole of Franklin County.
"We know that women's leadership is critical to addressing the challenges of our society," said Women's Fund Executive Director Carla Oleska. "The conference is an exciting opportunity to showcase, celebrate and foster the wide range of this leadership among our diverse communities. Clearly, others agree. People are registering in droves and represent an exciting spectrum of diverse backgrounds that is rarely seen at conferences. The inclusion of all women¹s experiences and voices helps us widen opportunities for creating just and equitable solutions."
The opening address will be by Rev. Kanyere Eaton, senior pastor of the Fellowship Covenant Church in Bronx, N.Y., on the connection between the well-being of each community member and that community's positive transformation as a whole.
Morning workshop presenters include:
• Motivational speaker Maria Sirois, on "Redefining the Good Life: Balancing Self-Care and Care of the World"
• Fitchburg Mayor Lisa Wong on "From Globetrotting to Running: A Journey from Student to Global Backpacker to 28-Year-Old Mayor"
• Central Massachusetts community leaders Analiz Garcia, Ivette Olmeda, Vanessa Pabon and Yaraliz Soto on "Latina Voices: Leading Today and Shaping the Future"
• Community contributors Akilah Edgerton, Mary Ellen Preston, Edith Allen and Kimberly Williams on "Seeds of Change Among Us: Ageless Leadership"
• Members of the inaugural cohort of the Women¹s Fund Leadership Institute for Political Impact Shenandoah Sluter of Franklin County, MJ Adams of Hampshire County, Marla Robertson of Berkshire County, Haydee Lamberty Rodriguez of Hampden County on "Leaders Stepping Up for Civic Action and Political Office"
• Crittenton Women's Union Vice President for Public Policy Ruthie Liberman on "The Bridge to Self-Sufficiency: How Much Do Families Need to Earn for Economic Independence and What Can We Do to Help Them?"
Tickets are $80, or $65 for additional attendees from the same organization, students with ID, and members of Women in Philanthropy of Western Massachusetts. Cost includes breakfast, workshops, lunch and keynote address. Tickets to attend only the luncheon and keynote are $40 per attendee.
Registration deadline is March 3. To register, go to www.womensfund.net or call 413-529-0087, ext. 10.
Conference sponsors include United Way of Pioneer Valley, Bay Path College, Raising Change, 88.5 WFCR, WGBY Channel 57, Loomis Communities and MassMutual Financial Group.
