Lake Junaluska – One Dozen Who Care will host its 25th annual Multicultural Women’s Development Conference on Friday and Saturday at the Lambuth Inn at the Lake Junaluska Conference & Retreat Center.
This year’s conference theme is “Celebrating
Resilience and Renewal” with Friday’s speakers including Kahlani Jackson, Marni Kaufman and Patricia Washington.
Saturday’s speakers will include Aisha Adams, Judith Alvarado and Latasha Best-Gaddy.
Other highlights on the agenda will include
“breakout sessions” focusing on several different aspects of building resilience both personally and professionally, including “The Keys To Creating A Winning Business” with Holly Rivers and “Recharge Your Batteries with Self-Massage Techniques” with Murphy massage therapist Te’Lor Allen of TSav Magical.
Michelle Lloyd will lead line dancing after hours at Friday’s “Silver Sparkle” celebration event.
According to the ODWC website, “For a quarter of a century, MWDC has uplifted, inspired, and empowered women across western North Carolina and beyond. This year’s conference will honor our founders, reflect on our shared journey, and look ahead to the future with dynamic speakers, workshops, and special tributes.”
Executive Director Sarah Hardman said of this year’s move to Lake Junaluska, “We decided to have it there as it’s a larger venue and technically it’s a little more ‘central’ to our service area of western North Carolina. Too, those who attend from the Sylva and Waynesville areas will find a better balance for traveling. We just really wanted to celebrate our larger region with it being our 25th anniversary to include all the amazing women in WNC.”
The group made the move last year from Hinton Rural Center in Hayesville to Murphy First United Methodist Church for a one-day event. Hardman said this year was time for another change to celebrate the organization’s milestone anniversary across the western counties.
With more than 75 attendees last year, Hardman expects more women to gather this year for the regional event, which will also highlight celebrating the founders of the event along with all the women who have donated time and resources and to celebrate all these accomplishments and endurance for Women’s History Month.
Hardman urges Andrews and Murphy to be ready to attend various events throughout the year, which includes the annual Juneteenth celebration.
Details: Visit onedozenwhocare.org/multicultural-womens-development-conference.