Women
‘blaze new trails’ conference
By Jill Thomsen
On-line Forty-Niner
Diversity
reigned supreme at Tuesday’s 16th annual
California Governor’s Conference for Women,
held at the Long Beach Convention Center.
More than 10,000 women from across the state
attended the conference with Gov. Gray Davis’
encouragement to “blaze new trails.” The
governor’s goal for the conference was to
“recognize achievement and provide you with
tools to do more.”
Cal State Long Beach master’s candidate
Candice Chick attended the event to be aware
of current issues and find a new outlook.
“You come away refreshed and motivated.
You educate yourself because the better
educated you are the more you can pursue,”
Chick said.
The 49er water polo player encouraged students
that when “you are chosen to experience
something like this — jump on it.”
Started by former Gov. Jerry Brown in 1986,
the conference has grown from a small affair
attended by about 1,000 people to the daylong
event it is today. Women’s Resource
Center Director Marcela Chavez has attended
the conference every year since its inception.
Brimming with enthusiasm, she said that
the event offers a “shot in the arm. There
are women here from all walks of life, all
backgrounds, all ages. They come back
to connect because the connection keeps
us strong.”
Hosted by First Lady Sharon Davis, the sold-out
event energized the attendees and offered
seminars on topics as varied as “Chef’s
Secrets for Sensational, Healthy Cuisine”
to “Shaping the Political Agenda: Women
in Action.”
Debra McGinty-Poteet, who obtained her master’s
in public administration from CSULB, was
part of the panel titled “Life Planning:
Nurturing Your Nestegg.” She spoke about
retirement from an investment standpoint,
and hoped that the discussion would help
women start looking at saving for their
retirement.
The exhibit hall held more than 700 booths
from various companies, government agencies
and consumer products, including CSULB University
College and Extension Services.
Lorinda Owens of UCES said the conference
is a “large networking opportunity. We’ve
made great contacts today. People want information
about the school.”
Pat West, administrative assistant for the
49er Athletic Association, said the event
allows women to “see what other women can
do. We also get a lot of resources and tips.”
Cynthia Riley, a financial analyst for CSULB
Physical Planning and Facilities Management
said she came to get inspired and “find
out what other women are experiencing.”
The conference, which was themed “Celebrate
the Past Create the Future,” featured a
joint keynote speech by ABC broadcaster
Cokie Roberts and her daughter Rebecca Roberts.
Rebecca spoke of the importance of mentoring
young women and connecting with other women
who “all struggle with work and family balances.”
“There are many more success stories of
working women out there, so it is a lot
less terrifying,” Rebecca, who is a new
mother, said.
Cokie received thunderous applause when
she mentioned the recently signed bill that
allows paid family leave, the first of its
kind in the country. She said that “The
way a lot gets done is by having women in
high places.” She also pointed out how far
women have come by noting that in the ’60s
“we knew what we could do, but we weren’t
given the ability.”
Opening session keynote speaker Lorraine
Monroe said in a summary: “Know that there
are always alternatives … avoid expert opinions
… and prepare for change.”
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