Equity and Diversity Center
"Wellness: Mind, Body & Spirit"
Friday, April 10, 2009
Edmonds Community College
Please click on flyer above for details of this exciting event!
Deadline for submittal: Fri., Sept. 28, 2008
NOW ACCEPTING PROPOSALS!
Please click on link for details
The 3rd Annual Women's Conference was a great success!
Thanks to all our supporters!
(Please see photos below)
Highlights from the Third Annual Women’s Conference at Edmonds Community College
Written by: Cathie Agor
“Personal and Cultural Identities in the 21st Century” was the theme of the Third Annual Women’s Conference hosted by Edmonds Community College on Saturday, March 15, 2008. The kickoff reception, entitled “Heart and Grace”, was held the preceding Friday night with several keynote speakers: Gloria Burgess, entrepreneur and owner of Jazz, Inc., Rebecca Walker, daughter of the famed prolific author Alice Walker (“The Color Purple”, 1982 and “Warrior Marks”, 1996) and a distinguished writer herself (“Baby Love – Choosing Motherhood After a Lifetime of Ambivalence”, 2007), and Debrena Jackson Gandy, success coach and seminar leader who also wrote “All the Joy You can Stand”, 2001.
The program on Saturday included several workshops with an exciting and eclectic range of topics such as Women Moving Mountains of Change, Dream Catchers- Creative and Spiritual Outlet, Retire or Invest in Mexico –Learn How, Women, Money and Credit – What You Need to Know, and even subjects such salsa, ballroom, and belly dancing instruction - - - proof positive that you can still have fun while being seriously educated. The keynote speakers from the kickoff reception also facilitated some of the workshops. There were over 100 people attending the conference; 27 conference scholarships were awarded to our College students, sponsored by community organizations such as the Boeing Corporation and the Associated Students of Edmonds Community College; and participation by several community organizations and vendors.
Here is some feedback from participants:
"There is an interest in starting an intergenerational writing workshop with women in the community. I’d like to be a part of that."
"Keynote speaker was inspirational. But finals week may have kept some students away."
"Five women from the All Bridges Culture Club attended the convention. It was a great time for them to receive expanded English listening skills, communication skills, diversity awareness, view their own self-worth, observe peoples’ reactions throughout the whole day, experience what a convention is comprised of, and most importantly, know they are important as women. Each year the Women’s Conference brings a smile on many peoples’ faces. It’s for all ages from students to retirement. It’s a place to grow and be given updates in cultural awareness and knowledge."
"The Women’s Conference was great opportunity to refresh my thinking pattern and help me gain a sense of organization for taking care of myself again."
"I was motivated by the last keynote speaker. I felt like I could accomplish anything after listening to her. She spoke about cutting out the noise in your life and filling your life with only positive things. I plan to take some “me” time for myself this spring break and listen to what my needs are. I also found valuable insight in one of the workshops: “Women in money, finances, and credit card debt”. I found out how who to contact for free credit report and how to fix my credit as well as gain credit. This workshop was eye opening and really made the conference worth attending."
A huge thank you to Shirley Sutton, Diana Bustos and the Women's Conference Planning Committee for not only for making this event possible, but successful as well!
Gloria Burgess, Heart & Pictured left to right, Shirley Sutton, Opening keynote speaker:
Grace Keynote Exec. Dir. - Diversity Affairs Rebecca Walker
Raul Peralez and Maribel Peralez
Pictured left to right: Pictured left to right: Shirley Sutton
Student Ambassadors: and Johnetta Moore
Judy Girma, Lorelai Germain
and Deborah Gouineau
For further information please call 425-640-1538 or email diana.bustos@edcc.edu. Thank you.