LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
Women's Conference Sets Future Standard |
by Fay Jacobs |
Hundreds of women gathered, learned, laughed and cheered on Saturday, March 9 as the Second Annual CAMP Rehoboth Women's Project Conference took over the downtown Rehoboth Beach Convention Center. From the opening address by Delaware Governor Ruth Ann Minner to the last piano notes of the remarkable Margie Adam, the conference made Rehoboth historyfor the number of women it served, the excellence of the presenters and the sheer energy it produced. The day began early with mixing and mingling over coffee and pastries, with Governor Ruth Ann Minner stopping by the tables to chat with as many of the organizers and attendees as possible. Neither a photo op nor a staged appearance, the Governor engaged the women in real conversation, taking the time to listen to real issues. It was refreshing and impressive. Governor Minner was introduced by Women's Project Chair Maggie Shaw, who spoke of the mission of the Women's Project and welcomed the Governor to the event. As one of only five female governors in the country, Minner is a strong advocate for women's health issues and spoke out loud and clear about a woman's need to make good choices about her own health and have her voice heard. Touching on political reality, the governor firmly stated that passage of House Bill 99 (adding sexual orientation to the state's employment law) is "the right thing to do," but noted that there are many senators opposed and "I can't seem to move them." The Bill remains bottled up in committee. But it was the Governor's tales of her early historybeing unable to get credit in her own name after the death of her husband, learning how to be pro-active with health issues, and having to fight to be taken seriously politically that gave the crowd inspiration. "It's the unique skills that each of you have that will make the difference in what you do," she told the crowd, and they responded with hearty applause. Following the Governor's keynote address, the conference attendees split up into several morning seminars. Attorney Ellen Feinberg led a workshop on legal issues, stressing the importance of legally protecting relationships, while RN Dale Reddish gave an information-packed talk on health issuesincluding preventive regimens, and some plain talk about hormones, therapies, and what women should do to protect themselves for the future. Late morning saw Financial Advisor Barbara Passikoff discuss the importance of financial planning, insurance and navigating the dizzying world of the stock market. Meanwhile, Corporate Trainer Sally Daniel lectured on marketing oneself for a career transition and put a bright new perspective on searching for a job to love. By lunchtime, the feast provided by Caf Sol fueled a feeding frenzy, followed by many of the women venturing to the Boardwalk or onto Rehoboth Avenue for a quick power walk and a peek at the ocean. The weather was stunning for early March and provided an bonus for those who had come to town for the event. It should be noted that the Women's Project's Men's Auxiliary (Sal Seeley, Murray Archibald and Steve Elkins) were on hand prior to, and throughout the event to decorate (what else!) and help with details and logistics. CAMP Rehoboth's Kathy Weir, a one-person auxiliary, was responsible for the success of the conference reservations and much of the coordination between CAMP Rehoboth and the Women's Project Committee. The afternoon sessions mirrored those of the morning, so conference-goers could partake of what they missed earlier. The exception was a new workshop called Couples Survival led by Psychotherapist Libby Stiffwhich proved to be the hot ticket of the day. With a casual style that was a cross between hilarious stand-up comedy and tough-love common sense suggestions, there will be couples using the workshop's rules to steer their relationships to success for years to come. Following an evaluation session and wrap-up by the conference planners (not to mention great door prizes!), many of the women adjourned for cocktails at Cloud 9, where the management provided a happy hour buffet and discount drinks to conference attendees. With the town buzzing with women fanning out in all directions for dinner, the jewel in the conference crown was yet to come. At 8 p.m., many of the women who had attended the conference, plus many, many more (including a few men) gathered at the convention center for a concert by women's music icon Margie Adam. She may be a women's music star, but her songs were universal and her act appealed to just about everyone. Seated on stage at her Baldwin concert grand, Margie treated the audience to some powerful songs, a lot of thoughtful and humorous conversation, not a little politics, and a feel-great evening that wouldn't quit. "I could pretty much play towns like Rehoboth for the rest of my life," Adam said after some thunderous applause and laughter. The crowd would have been happy to have her do just that. The concert drew a large, exuberant crowd, with more than one person noting it was grand to see the room filled with so many women coming together for the occasion. Following the encore and the reluctant leaving of the appreciative crowd, the Second Annual Women's Project Conference officially ended. But not really. The Committee who put the event together (Andrea Andrus, Ellen Feinberg, Joan Glass, Maggie Ottato, Lesley Rogan, Maggie Shaw, Libby Stiff and Bea Wagner) were already analyzing the day, excitedly reporting suggestions people made, and getting a jump start on next year. We can't wait. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 12, No. 03, April 5, 2002. |