By CATHRYN WESTRA
DavidsonNews.net

The 2nd annual Women’s Leadership Conference at Davidson College next month will focus on the theme of empowerment. The March 12-13 event will feature a keynote speech by Anne Tompkins, a former assistant U.S. attorney in Charlotte and has spots available for community members interested in registering.

The conference aims  to encourage participants to develop confidence and self-awareness thorough interactive discussion panels and breakout sessions.

On Friday, Ms. Tompkins will give the keynote speech. She served as deputy criminal chief in the western district of North Carolina and has been name one of The Best Lawyers in America. Following her talk, a formal diner is scheduled in the Davidson Lilly Gallery.

On Saturday community members and students will divide into smaller groups with groups leaders to discuss topics such as Women and Leadership, Motherhood, Women and Technology, Leading in Developing Countries and Fiscal Fitness. Participants take part in two breakout sessions with lunch provided in between. This time spent together will be followed by teatime discussion and closing remarks later that afternoon.

The Women’s Leadership Conference hopes to encourage women from diverse walks of life to discuss efforts that reinforce empowerment within themselves, around their community and beyond. The events are located on the Davidson College Campus in the Lilly Gallery.

Participation in the conference is limited to 120 people: 60 students and women from the community. Registration is open at http://www3.davidson.edu/cms/x31630.xml and community residents are encouraged to apply. There is a $25 registration fee.

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

Friday, March 12th

6:00 p.m. Registration
6:30 p.m. Opening Remarks
6:45 p.m. Dinner & Dessert
7:45 p.m. Keynote Speaker
8:30 p.m. Concluding Remarks

Saturday, March 13th

8:00 a.m. Registration & Breakfast
8:45 a.m. Opening Remarks
9:00 a.m. Icebreaker Activity
9:30 a.m. 10-Minute Break
9:40 a.m. Breakout Session
10:40 a.m. 10-Minute Break
10:50 a.m. Breakout Session
12:00 p.m. Lunch
12:45 p.m. Panel Session
2:15 p.m. 15-Minute Break
2:30 p.m. Breakout Session
3:30 p.m. Teatime
4:00 p.m. Concluding Speaker
4:30 p.m. Reconnecting & Closing Remarks

The Lilly Family Gallery is located in the Chamber’s building on the College’s campus. For more information please visit the college website at: http://www3.davidson.edu/cms/x31629.xml or send an e-mail to wlc@davidson.edu.