Academy Award-winning actress and a leading advocate for women's rights Olympia Dukakis will be one of the speakers at the 20th Annual Leadership Conference this Saturday.
Hosted by the Women's Center in Vienna, the annual conference aims to bring inspiration and motivation to women in the Washington, D.C., area.
The day-long conference offers seminars and career counseling opportunities on Saturday, March 12, starting at 9 a.m., at the Sheraton Premiere in Tysons Corner. "Your Success Portfolio" is the theme of this year's event.
Expert speakers will share their life-lessons, career information and give inspiration. The purpose of the conference is to make women think, "I can use that experience," said Margaret Murphy, the director of marketing at the Women's Center.
The speakers' list includes Lillian Vernon, the first woman to establish and grow a major print catalog company, and Cari Dominguez, the 12th chair of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. They will discuss the difficulties encountered by women in the workplace, addressing such issues as how to personalize oneself and how to reach success.
Additional speakers include Doris Bucher, a communication coach; and S. Elisabeth Paige, a financial adviser within the areas of retirement and debt management.
For the past 30 years, the Women's Center has been an advocate for women in a workplace. The aim of the Leadership Conference is to encourage women to be strong and well-prepared for obstacles or opportunities in their future. "We want women to raise their confidence," Murphy said, adding that women that strive to become successful will have a sense of knowing what to do in different situations.
This year, tickets are $75 for junior attendees to "encourage young women" to participate, said Murphy. Tickets are $150 for members and $170 for nonmembers.
Moderators for the conference are Cindy Pena, a news reporter for WUSA-TV9, and Gwen Toolbart, a weather anchor for WTTG- FOX5.
Registration begins at 8 a.m., on the day of the event but can also be completed on the Woman's Center's Web site, www.thewomenscenter.org.