On October 12th some of our team had the chance to attend the 15th Annual Pennsylvania Conference for Women. The day started out with breakfast sessions that you were each able sign up to attend. This gave you a chance to network with other women attending the same session prior to the speaker starting. From breakfast, all 12,000 women (and some men), made their way to Opening Keynote with the star Keynote speaker being Amal Clooney.
- Prior to Amal taking the stage Amanda Southworth, mental health and LGBTQ activist and creator, Anxiety Helper, addressed the crowd. At only 16 years of age Amanda spoke with wisdom beyond her years and urged attendees that if we see problems and do nothing then we are a part of the problem. Her points were intelligent and timely. To close out the opening session, Amal gave a speech of her own, touching on several of the civil rights cases she is currently working on. Her speech then segued into a moderated session with the editor of Glamour Magazine, Samantha Barry. Both successful and intelligent women, they had a meaningful conversation that didn’t require the mention of George Clooney.
- Following the opening keynote there was a mad rush to breakout sessions, a group of 12,000 does not move quickly between spaces. Two breakout sessions occurred after the opening keynote, all while the exhibit floor was open with Women vendors selling items, and additional career services being offered such as; resume building, career coaching and linkedin advice.
- Preparing lunch for 12,000 people can be no easy task but at the luncheon keynote time all meals were already sitting on attendee tables. Seating was assigned and allowed more opportunity to network with other women at your table before the luncheon keynote speakers took the stage. Maysoon Zayid, comedian and disability advocate, spoke prior to Serena and gave a hilarious and poignant presentation that had the crowd both laughing and nodding along in agreement. Serena’s keynote was a moderated q&a session with Ellen McGirt that focused on her charitable contributions and how she decides what causes to support.
- The day concluded with a final breakout session for guests to attend. All breakouts had different themes, some focused on how to manage a family and a career while others focused on managing your own finances. All sessions had great takeaways and it was empowering to hear from successful women who were giving back in hopes that other women can become just as successful as them.
- We are looking forward to the 16th Annual conference next year on October 2nd