Topics
to include contributions to society, change
by Jennifer Schneider
Staff Writer
Appalachian State University will once again host the Women’s
Leadership Conference Feb. 28 from 12:30-7 p.m.
Sponsored by the Center for Student Involvement and Leadership,
the Women’s Center and University Highlands, the conference
will focus on women’s contributions to society.
According to the conference’s Web site, the conference is
exploring the topic of “unlocking the doors to relationships,
community involvement and the leader within.”
“It is a great way to express yourself and learn more about
women,” sophomore social work major Jennifer N. Johnson said.
“The conference is about working from the inside out, they
try to encompass all aspects of a women’s life.”
This year’s theme is: “Seasons of Change: From the roots
to the branches.”
“We have great speakers this year,” Associate Director
of the CSIL Dr. Jim L. Street, Jr. said. “It is a great opportunity
for students to network and share their ideas.”
The keynote speaker is Debra Gawrych, CEO and founder of Common
Boundaries. According to the Web site, the purpose of her company
is to promote effective leadership skills at both the individual
and organizational levels.
After Gawrych has opened the conference, attendees will choose from
a variety of sessions to attend. Session topics include roles of
women through the life span, reflecting on the experiences of battered
women, America’s obsession with thinness, knowing how to read
and understand others, focusing on women as leaders in education
and making institutional changes from inside and outside the system.
“The workshops discuss leadership development, personal development
and women’s issues,” Street said.
“You can choose to make the day however you want,” Johnson
said.
At the end of the conference, the Women’s Center will hand
out its annual “Women of Influence” awards.
According to a news release, the awards recognize “women who
work quietly, diligently and with great compassion to improve their
lives and the lives of their friends, their co-workers and their
organizations.”
Friends, co-workers, family members and organization members nominate
potential recipients of the award. The awards will be given out
in four categories: student, faculty member, staff member and community
member.
The Women’s Center is accepting nominations through Feb. 18.
Applications are available at the Women’s Center on the first
floor of the Plemmons Student Union.
“It is a great day,” Street said. “Any student
who attends will come out ready to take on the world.”
“Last year was the first year I attended and it was a really
cool experience, I learned things I never knew,” Johnson said.
Anyone interested in attending the conference should purchase tickets
at CSIL or the Women’s Center. Tickets are $7 for students
and $10 for non-students. The price covers snacks, materials, dinner,
giveaways and door prizes.
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