2024 MULTICULTURAL WOMENS DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE

STILL WE RISE: The Power of Our Stories

The 2024 Multicultural Womens Development Conference will be held at the Hinton Life Center in Hayesville NC on April 19th and 20th 2024.

For nearly 25 years One Dozen Who Care has hosted this dynamic conference that features keynote speakers and breakout sessions focusing topics including education, self-care, health, empowerment, and economic development and sustainability.

This year’s theme, Still We Rise: The Power of Our Stories, reflects the indomitable and unyielding spirit of women continue to rise above challenging circumstances and obstacles. The stories that will come out of the STILL WE RISE Multicultural Women’s Development Conference will serve as reminders and as sources for inspiration for decades to come.

EARLY BIRD REGISTRAION IS OPEN.
Secure your spot now!

Multicultural Women’s Development Conference

If you have been invited to present at the 2024 Still We Rise MWDC, please register using the link below.

Presenters' Guidelines and Registration

For Advertising and Sponsorship opportunities, please click the link below.

Advertisers' Guidelines

Photo credit Sherry McCollum

2024 “STILL WE RISE” CONFERENCE AGENDA*

MENAT Dance Friday, April 19, 2024

8:00 – 9:00 am Registration

Board members/volunteers

9:00 – 9:30 am Welcome and Opening Ceremony, Patricia Hall, President, ODWC

– Poetry, Michelle Lloyd
– Tech Housekeeping, Sarah Hardman

9:45 – 11:00 am Plenary Session: “Overcoming The Imposter Theory” – Sandra Kilgore

11:00-11:10 Poetry by Louise Morgan Runyon

11:15 – 12:15 pm Learning Leisure Skills

Presented by the Board of Directors and Volunteers

12:15 – 1:15 pm Lunch

1:15 – 2:30 pm Keynote Address: “The Power of Our Stories” – Jaki Shelton Green, Poet Laureate of North Carolina

2:45 – 4:00 pm Diversity Panel: Karah Thompson, Moderator: “The Many Paths to Leadership”

Women representing a variety of ethnic and cultural communities in far Western North Carolina share insights from their work as entrepreneurs, community developers, non-profit managers, and change agents.

Scarlett Guy
Arlissa Vaughn
Antonieta Pasquariello
Ronda Birtha
Jackie Simms

4:15 – 5:30 pm Concurrent Breakout Sessions

“Empowerment through Self Awareness and Self Defense” Judith Alvarado

“Post-COVID – Suggestions for Maintaining Best Health” Patricia Shields

“Zumba Experience” Kristen George

“Bold Women, Bold Insurance: What Women Need to Know About Insurance” Mary Jo Dyre

5:30 – 6:30 pm Dinner

6:45 – 9:00 pm Entertainment

Poetry by Mary Ricketson

Dance: MENAT Dance with Ophelia and Company

Saturday, April 20, 2024

7:00 – 8:00 am Concurrent Activities

Diabetic Screening and Blood Pressure Check – Courtesy Clay County Health Department (Free raffle tickets [while supplies last] to those who take advantage of these important screenings before breakfast)

Morning Exercise: Yoga (Chair or Mat) with Tracy Chapple

8:00 – 9:00 am Breakfast

9:00 – 9:15 am Welcome, Patricia Hall, President ODWC, Inc.

9:15 – 9:25 am Introduction of the 2024 ODWC-Prescott Scholarship Awardees

One Dozen Who Care Prescott Scholarship for Higher Education, Pat Hall, Scholarship Chair, and Dr. Emory Prescott

9:25 – 9:40 am Memorial Service

9:45 – 11:00 am Keynote Address: Catherine Connor, Breast Cancer Survivor, Breast Health Instructor and Founder of The Dance of Life, Inc.

11:15 – 12:30 pm Concurrent Breakout Sessions

“Healing the Divine Feminine: The Art of Flow” Quichiong Wei

“How to Start a Business and WIN” Alicia Jeffers

“On Writing Your Story” Mary Ricketson

12:30 pm – 1:30 pm Lunch

1:30 – 2:45 pm Plenary Dr. Kelli R. Brown, 12th Chancellor of Western Carolina University, and Dr. Melissa Canady Wargo, Chief of Staff for Western Carolina University

2:45 – 4:10 pm Concurrent Breakout Sessions

“Avoiding Frauds and Scams” Greta Gibson, Local Government Federal Credit Union

“Divine Narratives: Stitching Our Stories into the Tapestry of Sacred Women” Sarah Hardman

“The Power of Visual Storytelling” Trudé Chianchiano

4:15 pm Closing Ceremonies/Door prizes

*Please note that due to circumstances beyond the control of One Dozen Who Care, Inc., schedule and speakers are subject to change.

Would you like to get involved? Would you like to get notified about conference updates?

Please fill out the form. We look forward to how we can work together to continue empowering, educating and encouraging women in our communities.

One Dozen Who Care, Inc

Building community bonds

info@onedozenwhocare.org