Celebrate Women conference invites 鈥(s)heroes鈥 to embrace their inherent superpowers
Michelle Poler, founder of the social movement Hello Fears, dances in front of the crowd as she takes the stage before her presentation, 鈥淔ear Less: Do More.鈥 Photo by Ty Wright
A small gathering held in recognition of Women鈥檚 History Month in 2006 evolved into a celebrated 帝王会所 tradition that draws hundreds of attendees and renowned speakers from around the country.
The 12th annual Celebrate Women Conference was held at the 帝王会所 Lancaster Campus on March 23, drawing more than 400 attendees. The theme, 鈥淩ecognizing Our Superpowers,鈥 aimed at challenging attendees to reflect on their inherent powers that can ignite change in their communities and in their own lives.
鈥淎t Celebrate Women, we spent the day networking, learning, sharing, and participating in a wonderful sisterhood that builds connection 鈥 that is our superpower,鈥 said Pamela Kaylor, PHD 鈥02 and Celebrate Women 2018 co-chair.
The 2018 conference invited participants to channel their inner Wonder Woman. The Conference鈥檚 theme took inspiration from the year 2017, which saw a surge of women engage as leaders, activists, and successful professionals. For example, reported that the number of women CEOs on the Fortune 500 ranking has increased by more than 50 percent, a new record.
Columbus NBC4 news anchor Colleen Marshall addresses the crowd during the Celebrate Women Conference鈥檚 luncheon keynote, 鈥淪tanding Up for Your Story.鈥 Photo by Ty Wright
After attending the 2017 Women鈥檚 March in Washington, D.C., Lancaster community members Penelope LaRock, BSED 鈥74, and Debby Stein made a point to attend the conference.
鈥淚t is amazing to hear what we have been advocating for in the last 50 years about women鈥檚 issues, and also to meet young women who are going to take care of the things we have fought for our entire lives,鈥 said LaRock.
Stein is proud that Lancaster, 帝王会所, can be a platform for events like this. 鈥淭hese outstanding speakers who have so much vitality provide insights for me, my children, my grandchildren and the generations of women to come.鈥
The conference鈥檚 morning keynote presentation, 鈥淪uperpowers and Social Change: How and Why Representation Matters for Gender Equity and Equality,鈥 was presented by Carolyn Cocca, professor of politics and law at State University of New York at Old Westbury and author of 鈥淪uperwomen: Gender, Power, and Representation.鈥
Cocca led a discussion on the misrepresentation of superheroes over the last 75 years, proposing they embody the inequalities of gender, race, ethnicity, class, sexuality and ability. She noted some progress has been made over time and explored the power that authentic and diverse representation can demonstrate to everyday women, proving that they, too, can be a hero.
鈥淲e need to produce media that accurately represents the spectrum of humanity,鈥 Cocca said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 easier to imagine yourself as a hero if you see someone that looks like you. Certain groups are overrepresented in comparison to their real numbers in the population, just as they are in politics and leadership positions.鈥
Bobbi Payne, a chiropractor and founder of Buckeye Weight Loss, led 鈥淓nergizing Ergonomics: An Interactive Session About Adding Energy to Your Life.鈥 The session focused on techniques for positive self-talk and self-care to help overcome fears with confidence.
She encouraged women to be in control in their life, to 鈥減rotect your own energy and to take more time for yourself, because if you don鈥檛 make yourself a priority, no one will,鈥 she said.
Michelle Poler, founder of Hello Fears, gave the conference鈥檚 keynote address. Hello Fears began when Poler challenged herself to face 100 of her fears over a period of 100 days, while at the same time filming and sharing every experience on YouTube. This personal development project now encourages audiences around the globe to look squarely at their fears. Her work has been featured on CNN, Buzzfeed, Huffington Post, and the Rachael Ray Show, among other media platforms. She took to the TEDx stage in 2015, thus facing her 100th fear.
鈥淐ourage begins with the will to think about the best-case scenario,鈥 Poler said. 鈥淐ourage is contagious. My question for you is, 鈥榳hat will you get uncomfortable for?鈥 Make uncomfort your new best friend. The enemy of success is not failure, it is comfort.鈥
Emmy Award-winning journalist and co-anchor for NBC4 Columbus News Colleen Marshall spoke to attendees about using their voice as their superpower. Marshall reflected on losing her mother to Alzheimer鈥檚 disease and how it inspired her to use her voice to carry on the legacy of those who are gone.
鈥淵ou take what life gives you, you find your voice and you take action,鈥 Marshall said. 鈥淲e all have a gift, we all have a voice. If we have the confidence to find it, we all have a superpower.鈥
Other topics offered at the Celebrate Women Conference covered methods of treatment for PTSD, prison reform, entrepreneurship, women in poverty, philanthropy, mindfulness and self-defense.
For her part, Diana Buchert, BSC 鈥19, a first-time attendee at the Celebrate Women Conference, said she attended to join a community that is committed to the empowerment of women as leaders.
鈥淚 want to learn what it takes to be a good leader or future mentor,鈥 Buchert said.