The 20th Annual DU Women’s Conference took place on March 27 and saw the largest attendance in its history. Over 390 students, faculty, administrators and community members of all genders came together to support and celebrate the successes of women at DU and around the world.
“People attend the women’s conference to support the advancement of women on campus and also throughout our society and culture and people are looking for ways to help better their own skills and better their own networks,” said Sable Schultz, Inclusive Excellence Fellow and Co-Chair of the Women’s Conference.
The Women’s Conference began at 8 a.m. with a welcome speech and a morning keynote address from Cleo Parker Robinson. Robinson is founder, artistic director and choreographer of the more than 40 year-old, Denver-based artistic institution, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, according to the Women’s Conference website. Parker had a lot to say about today’s women, as well as the women of the future.
“I think about young girls today and I think about how they talk about some of the things they see and hear and what kinds of avenues do they have,” said Robinson during her keynote speech. “For me, it was movement and that was my language.”
Robinson explained that she suffered sudden kidney failure as a young child, and, because of her multiracial ethnicity, her parents had trouble getting her into a hospital before Robinson also suffered from a heart attack. Robinson was able to turn her near-death experience around and make what she sees as a positive impact through dance and community outreach.
“Women are bold, bad and beautiful and I want us to walk that way and give that direction to men: that we walk with you, we don’t walk behind you and we don’t need to walk in front of you, but allow us to partner and to dance with you in a way that you might not know is extraordinarily powerful,” said Robinson near the conclusion of her speech.
After the first keynote address, there were two workshop sessions. The Women’s Conference workshops addressed topics including: leadership, intuition, personal development, finding one’s voice, influence, networking, political savvy, empowerment, facing fears, professional careers and entrepreneurship.
During lunch in the Cable Center, the Robin Morgan Outstanding Woman Awards were awarded, Chancellor Chopp spoke and the second keynote speaker, Cindy Peña, delivered her speech.
Peña was hired as Vice President and General Manager at KMGH-TV, Channel 7. That appointment made her one of the first Hispanics in the country to be named General Manager at a major market network affiliate according to the Women’s Conference website. Peña’s speech focused on the women in her life who have had the most influence on her: her mother, grandmother and daughter.
“Along the way, women have always been an essential part of my story,” said Pena. “They have nurtured me, supported me, guided me and inspired me always through my journey.”
At the end of her story about the women in her life, Peña urged her audience to consider the women who have guided them through their own lives.
According to Schultz, her fellow Co-Chair, Kathy Sandoval, was instrumental in contacting and scheduling the keynote speakers for the Women’s Conference.
Following Peña’s speech, there was another round of workshop sessions before the Conference concluded with a reception inside the Garden Room of the Colorado Women’s College.
Schultz mentioned being very pleased with the way the 20th Annual DU Women’s Conference turned out.
“I think this event really highlights the momentum that we’re seeing in DU in terms of seeing support for women on campus, especially with the turnout and the amazing presenters and keynote speakers,” said Schultz. “It really highlights some of the really positive changes that we’re seeing for women in DU.”