Pennsylvania Conference for Women facts for kids
 |
|
| Formation | 2004 |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Women's Leadership Organization |
| Headquarters | Pennsylvania |
|
Official language
|
English |
| Website | PAConferenceForWomen.org |
The Pennsylvania Conference for Women is a special one-day event for women. It's like a big meeting where women can learn new things and get inspired. This conference helps women grow in their jobs and in their personal lives. It is a non-profit event, meaning it focuses on its mission rather than making money. It is also non-partisan, so it does not support any political party.
At the conference, speakers share amazing stories and lead workshops. These workshops cover topics like staying healthy, managing money, and becoming a leader. They also teach about starting a small business, balancing work and home life, and using social media. The conference is a great place to meet new people and learn skills for your future. About 7,000 people attend this event each year.
How the Conference Started
The very first Pennsylvania Conference for Women happened in 2004. It was held in Pittsburgh, a big city in Pennsylvania. The Governor of Pennsylvania at the time, Edward G. Rendell, helped host the event. He worked with the Pennsylvania Commission on Women to make it happen. The Commission helps women in the state.
Over the years, many famous and important people have spoken at the conference. These speakers include Madeleine Albright, who was a U.S. Secretary of State. Another speaker was Sandra Day O’Connor, a Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. Indra Nooyi, a top leader at PepsiCo, also shared her wisdom. Famous historian and author Doris Kearns Goodwin has also been a speaker.
Helping Women with Scholarships
In 2005, the Pennsylvania Conference for Women started a special program. It's called the Scholarship Program. A scholarship is money given to students to help them pay for college. The goal of this program is to help more women get a good education.
Each year, more than 40 colleges and universities in Pennsylvania join this program. For colleges that offer four-year degrees, they give $2,500 in scholarship money each year for four years. For colleges that offer two-year degrees, they give $750 for two years. This program has given over $2 million in scholarships to women of all ages across Pennsylvania.
The colleges themselves choose which students get the scholarships. They also manage how the money is given out on their campuses. This helps make sure the scholarships go to deserving women.
Inspiring Speakers at the Conference
Many inspiring people have spoken at the Pennsylvania Conference for Women. These speakers come from different fields like business, politics, and entertainment. They share their experiences and advice. Some of the notable speakers have included:
- Robin Roberts, a well-known TV anchor
- Diane Keaton, a famous actress
- Jane Pauley, a respected journalist
- Nancy Brinker, who started the Susan G. Komen organization
- Mae Jemison, the first African American woman to travel to space
- Suze Orman, a popular financial advisor
- Gloria Steinem, a leader in women's rights
These speakers help to inspire and educate the women who attend the conference.
