The University of Idaho Argonaut

“Empowering women, inclusive communities” will be the theme of this year’s upcoming Women’s Leadership Conference.
“The purpose is really to come together as women on campus, celebrate our differences, and create an empowered community,” said Interim Director of the University of Idaho Women’s Center, Heather Shea Gasser.
“We’re looking to host a conference that encourages participation, open generation of ideas and improve campus climate to create a work and learn environment that empowers women.”

The conference will be held on Oct. 16-17. It will include a keynote speaker, Nancy Hunter Denny, who will talk about staying motivated to work in higher education and gender issues.    
The event will feature a free luncheon for registered attendees on Oct. 17 and workshops will focus on professional development and other issues focused on communication and women empowerment.
Denny’s speech is titled “Zing! Your life and leadership.” She is a national speaker who focuses on women’s issues.
Gasser said each workshop will have a theme, those being consciousness, communication and common purpose. The workshops will be hands-on and include guest speakers.

“We’re working to get speakers for all of the workshops,” Gasser said.
Denny will also hold two workshops, titled “Staying motivated to work in higher education,” and “What did you say? Gender issues in communication.”
This will be the second year the conference has occurred and already, Gasser said, it will have a large turnout.
“It’s significant because the volume of attendees alone shows me that there’s a need for professional development opportunities for women,” Gasser said.
Gasser said last year the conference had over 300 attendees. Brandi Hayes, media relations associate for UI, said they had to bring in extra chairs to accommodate for the large number.

“It was a knockout last year … so it’s going to be really exciting,” Hayes said.
The conference is being co-sponsored by the UI Women’s Center and Athena, a UI member organization that supports the interest of faculty and other professional women who work at UI.

Lynn Baird, president-elect of Athena, said this is an opportunity for women to have access to a local professional development opportunity.
“We’re very thankful the president has seen a need for this on the university campus,” Baird said.
Hayes said all people are invited — men, women, faculty and staff as well as those who do not attend UI.
“It’s a giant get-together, mostly women, but everyone’s invited,” Hayes said. “It’s a way of getting past the glass ceiling and helping women communicate in a professional environment.”
Registration for the conference began Monday, Sept. 8 and the last day to register is on Oct. 10. The conference is free to all who attend. For more information, and to register for the conference go to www.womensleadership.uidaho.edu.