Women learn leadership techniques at conference

By Jess Camp

Published March 6, 2007

The eighth-annual Women's Leadership Conference on Saturday consisted of a series of interactions and lectures about women and issues that affect them, Conference Steering Committee Adviser Molly Kea said.

"It provides a broad range of tools that will empower women," she said.

Leadership Development and the Department of Student Life sponsored the conference.

Steering Committee member Jean Horan said the conference had a good turnout.

"It was to increase woman leadership on campus," Horan said.

Horan said there were many lectures that the participants could opt to join. The classes included information about women's health issues and how to survive in a male-dominated business world.

Diversity Peer Educator Laura Convery, who led a presentation at the conference, said she is happy she participated.

"I would love to give a presentation again," Convery said. "The audience was very receptive and seemed to enjoy our diversity exercise."

Lauren Aston, vice president of membership development for Alpha Chi Omega sorority, said that she enjoyed the conference.

"My favorite class that I attended was Volunteering: A Tool for Personal and Professional Growth because I learned that I can put volunteer experience into my résumé," Aston said.

Steering Committee member Megan Lane said being a feminist inspired her to get involved with the conference.

"Over the last few years, I have learned a lot about the importance of not only female empowerment but also self-confidence and self-assurance," Lane said. "Accordingly, I chose to apply for a position on the committee because these were the messages being promoted by the conference, and I wanted the chance to be part of that."

Lane said the committee worked on the event during the past two months.

"Finding speakers was hard," Lane said. "There were a lot of amazing women we wanted to invite to speak about their experiences and successes."

Cathy Langham and Mary Weiss served as the event's keynote speakers. Langham is the co-founder of a global logistics firm called Langham. She is the president and CEO and has built the company so well that President George Bush paid it a visit.

Weiss is the owner, president and CEO of the Indianapolis-based Weiss Communication. The company publishes Indianapolis Woman magazine. She also once owned and managed WXTZ/93.9 FM and was the publisher of WHERE Indianapolis magazine.

Aston said she found the speakers to be informative.

"The most important thing I learned at the seminar was 'Act how you want to be, and soon you'll be the way you act,'" Aston said. "I think this is great advice and that it will definitely help me in the future."

Many people who attended said they enjoyed the experience.

"I would absolutely go again," Aston said. "It was very well put-together, and I learned a lot."

Convery said she would recommend the conference.

"I think people should go next year to learn leadership skills and meet new people," she said. "If this doesn't sound good, there is always free food."