Extraordinary. Transformative.
These words are heard a lot at the Governor and First Lady’s Women’s Conference, as executed by Maria Shriver.
And as someone who attended the first Governor’s Conference for Women in 1986 when the keynote speaker was Mary Kay of Mary Kay Cosmetics and the conference was called the Governor’s Conference on Women in Business – because apparently that was so novel –all I can say is “We’ve come a long way baby”.
The 2009 Women’s Conference was the best ever. Just when you think Maria Shriver can’t take it any higher—she hits a longer home run. The two-day event, which drew a record 25,000 women, was way, way, way, over the top. Tickets went on sale last July and were sold out in a record two hours.
The Governor, FDIC Chairwoman Sheila Bair, Sir Richard Branson, president and CEO of the Virgin Group engaged in a lively discussion moderated by Robin Roberts of Good Morning America. The panel focused on making tough decisions in tough times. The governor said when in dire straits he turned to “Almighty – Maria.”
The Vagina Monologue author and performer, Eve Ensler asked the group “Are there any vaginas in the house?”
Not a dry eye when human rights activist Somaly Mam urged in broken English for help in ending the sexual slavery she endured in her native Cambodia that has led her to create safe houses for girls similarly tormented in her homeland.
The luncheon portion of the program was a discussion of the transformations wrought in our society by 50 percent of the workers in America now being women and two-thirds of mothers being either primary or co-breadwinners.
Focusing on the recently released The Shriver Report: A Woman’s Nation Changes Everything, the panel opened with a Meet the Press segment from 1972 with Gloria Steinem in which the then Meet the Press moderator asked Gloria Steinem how she felt about the brain washing of men by American women.
Boy, have times changed! Madeleine Albright, the first female Secretary of State, said that if such a question was asked today of a woman, the answer would begin with a word that began with an “F.” David Gregory of Meet the Press, who moderated the panel, quickly said, “You mean: Frankly.”
Katie Couric told the crowd about the challenges of succeeding in network TV and the traumatic change from moving from Today to CBS News and becoming the first solo woman news anchor. Her recounting of the death of her husband Jay at 41 of colorectal cancer and the subsequent death from cancer of her sister resonated with the audience.
Maria Shriver’s speech this year was both courageous and beautiful. She spoke about the recent deaths of her mother, the remarkable Eunice Shriver, and her uncle, Senator Ted Kennedy and the heart-rending effects that has on her.
Her remarks set the tone for a panel — Grief, Healing and Resilience composed of actress Susan St. James who candidly discussed how she copes with the loss, five years ago, of her 14-year-old son, Teddy, from an airplane accident. Elizabeth Edwards who lost her 16-year-old son Wade 14 years ago –also from an accident – talked both about her coping with grief and her own battle with cancer. Patrick Swayze’s widow, Lisa Niemi, recounted her hurt from the tabloid pronouncements over the past 22 months of her husband’s impending death and said: “The cancer may have taken him, but it never beat him.”
The group talked achingly about the lost of a loved one, especially a child. Maria was the moderator but also spoke about her own recent losses.
Lots of great breakout sessions, including ones with Captain Sully Sullenberger and Annie Leibovitz.
The 12-hour day concluded with the Minerva awards, honoring four women who represent the attributes of the ancient Roman goddess Minerva. Among them was Dr. Jane Goodall, honored for her groundbreaking research on chimpanzees and, more importantly, her frontline fight to combat climate change and environmental degradation. The conference closed with a spectacular performance by Alicia Keys singing “Superwoman” while photos of the conference’s highlights appeared on the big screens of the Long Beach Arena.
Guess the only way to top this year – based on previous experience – will be next year.