I don't even know where to begin to fully express and appreciate what I have learned and taken away from this extraordinary event. Let me be upfront, there will be no mention of fashion here, the only thing fashionable worth mentioning is the coral sweater vest Russell Simmons wore with his blindingly white white sneakers (yes, there were actually men there!). I want to talk about the fact that I was reminded of the power women have and that we are in the right place and the right time to use it to its full potential. Women have always been more powerful than men, we are after all the creators of life, and that is why men had to use their brute and might to oppress us in fear of becoming obsolete. Well, of course we need our men and we absolutely love our men but this is definitely the women's time to reign.
Christiane Amanpour was one of the first speakers of the day, she is the Chief International Correspondent for CNN. I am in awe of her - she is eloquent, smart, precise and unfaltering in her ability to give us straight facts. She talked about how this is truly the time for women to reign and shine and pointed out that Iceland recruited 2 women to rebuild the banking crisis there. She gave another example of how creative and powerful women can be. When Charles Taylor was President of Liberia (he was a warlord and accused of war crimes), a group of women banded together and kept sex from their husbands until he was ousted. Guess what? He was ousted. The thing that really struck a chord with me was when Christiane talked about motherhood and how she explains to her son why she has to yet again go away. She tells him that as a journalist, it is her job to tell stories and reminded us how the failure to do so resulted in the mass genocide in Rwanda. These atrocities cannot go unchecked and it is her job to report truth without fear or favor. She tells him, "If the story tellers quit, the bad guys will win". But the lesson she imparts on her son is one that I have to remember as a mother, she says, "It is about justice, not just us". Is she awesome or what?
She of course had to mention the current election. She did not mention names or her affiliation, she did not need to. She said that more women are elected to high office in this country than any other country in the world but "the qualifications of those seeking high office must be there. It matters because the stakes are so high. It is not enough to have a good life story and shoot from the gut." The entire place, all 14,000 women in attendance erupted in a roar. It was clear how everyone felt about who she is referencing. I am not pushing political agendas here, I am just telling you what happened (ok, maybe I am but I am trying to sound impartial).
She ended by asking everyone to "consider your place in your community", to put on your social face and go out there and do. Doctors should go volunteer in Africa. Entrepreneurs should think green and bring technology to underdeveloped countries. Educators should go out there and teach. There are illiterate children in this world who, without a classroom or supplies, sit eagerly under a tree in an impromptu school to learn. This is how we can spread a soft kind of power to the world. "Sitting on the sidelines is so yesterday", she said, "Become a citizen and not just inhabit this planet, what more is there to lose?".
I wanted to jump off my seat and run out there to do something. But then there was the rest of the day, more speakers, one more inspirational than the next. It ends with Bono calling us all to action and my lack thereof brought me to tears. Throughout the day, it was clear what the message was. Persevere, believe in yourself and give. Giving will bring joy, love and happiness. It is 3am now so I will have to continue this tomorrow. Some things to look forward to: Michael J. Fox talks about how having Parkinsons is a gift. Talk about tears, holy moly, this guy will put perspective in your life whether you want it or not. Maria Shriver talks candidly about her fears and about the illness of mother Eunice Kennedy Shriver and uncle Teddy Kennedy. Condoleezza Rice, Indra Nooyi (Chairman and CEO of PepsiCo and one of the funniest and most memorable speakers of the day), Billie Jean King, Gloria Steinam (the original feminist). And of course, Bono, who is funny, charismatic and managed to change my world view like he set out to do.
You can watch the broadcast of the entire day at the Women's Conference website.
Wow! Definitely food for thought. Thanks, Kelly, for sharing this.
This conference sounds like a very interesting event with some great speakers. I just don't understand why women would cheer when someone puts down a very accomplished woman who is a governor of a state. Political views should not get in the way of giving a woman credit for what she has done in her life and try to belittle her.
Accomplished? Really? Maybe she's accomplished enough to be governor of a relatively small (in terms of population and influence) state, but she's made a LOT of mistakes in her career, many of which are coming to the forefront now. She has been coddled all throughout this campaign, because any "hard" question was sexism... This from the same camp that called Hillary Clinton an "uppity woman." I'm not saying hillary should have been president, I can't vote in your election anyway, but the choice of Sarah Palin was based on her sex, not her abilities. She was chosen to help steal the Dems who were upset over Hillary's missed chance. She is in NO WAY qualified to be vice-president, never mind her close-minded and bigoted personal opinions.
It makes every other woman's struggle to be taken seriously, through legitimate hard work and perseverance, seem trifling. It diminishes us if we give her a free pass just ebcause she's a woman. We are good enough to stand on our own two feet and compete with men without special treatment - we just need to realise it!
She was chosen due to her knowledge of energy - this was when gas was over $4.00 a gallon which has since changed. I just think if you are at a womens conference you should not take that opportunity to knock an accomplished woman due to her political views and I would feel the same way if she said something about Hillary.
And I just think that Sarah Palin is a poor example of an accomplished woman, because she has been given opportunities she was not worthy of, opportunities that she should have turned down if she had any sort of self-awareness. She is not accomplished due to her own achievements. That's anti-feminism. The official part line was that she was chosen for her knowledge of energy - but her view on energy policies has done a 180 since her choice as McCain's running mate - so clearly her "knowledge" wasn't important enough to be used. I would feel the same way about Hillary if she had been this unprepared and incapable of leadership, but she wasn't. And I didn't agree with her policy platform, either. but at least I could respect her. Why would anyone respect Palin?
I'd also like to point out that I respect Rice, even though I disagree with her political opinions. Despite her employer, she's done everything she can to carry herself with some sort of intelligent air. I may not like her, but she would have been a vice-presidential candidate (if that had been possible) that I would call "accomplished."
She was elected mayor twice and governor once these are not opportunities given to someone. She was chosen by her town and then by her state to lead them and she has very high opinion ratings in her state. You are certainly entitled to your opinion, however you must not live in Alaska and I would trust how they feel about their own governor.
I am watching it on TV right now... Maria Shriver is talking about cuddling with her mother for the first time when she was 52 years old... she said the reason we're here are to love one another and to connect with one another. Have chills and tears.
Would love to go next year....
Thank you for this post, Kelly.
Read "End of poverty" by Dr. Jeffrey Sachs and "Mountains beyond Mountains" about Paul Farmer's life. Both books will make you stand up and cheer and want to do something greater with your life. Bono writes the foreword for Dr. Sachs' book. I will be seeing him speak at the Unite for Sight conference at Yale next spring.
WOW K~~Thanks for sharing...I will watch the broadcast now.
I'm so glad that you had the opportunity to attend and be inspired. My parents raised me as a giver. They didn't tell my brother and I to volunteer or be a part of the community but rather they went to Haiti to build schools and helped in our community; they brought us along and made it a family effort.
I don't think we can rely on the govt to solve our problems or the worlds. However, when we take our time and money and invest it in our community and the world that is when we will really see a difference both in ourselves and world around us.
Thank you for sharing.
Hi Tina and Kelly,
Thanks for the great post about the Women's Conference. I love it that bagsnob is about style and substance! I am a bit bummed out about the Pamela Anderson "extreme video" ad that has shown up of late. Maybe I am missing something -- but it seems out of place on your smart, sophisticated and whimsical site.
It was great to read your account of the conference, Kelly!!! I'm so glad you're covering; I wanted so badly to go! I must say, I sincerely hope your blog will continue to be an open-minded place where we can all bond over our love of bags, rather than be jolted away from our happy thoughts by snide remarks about politicians. I understand your opinions, but I must say that any political asides can so easily ruin an entry for those who may not share your political views, but who very much share your passion for all things fashionable and purse-related.
I totally agree with you. It was against my better judgment to have made that comment but my teenage riot inciting side of me couldn't be stopped because it was so easy and way too tempting!! I do apologize although I am going to leave it in there. Trust me, I try so very very hard to keep my political views from shedding its light here. I literally have to shackled my wrists sometimes to keep from typing certain things. I have started spamming my friends and family instead so you can all be spared =)
Love, Kelly
:D Thanks.