Yavapai News

Aspiring women need role models; successful women want to share their expertise; and every woman appreciates a community of like minds to draw wisdom and strength. Ideas, insights and stories will bond and inspire women of all ages this month, when the Yavapai College Foundation and the American Association of University Women’s Prescott Chapter present the Arizona Women’s Forum, Friday, January 27 & Saturday, January 28 at Yavapai College’s Prescott Campus.

With a keynote roster full of female executives from broadcasting, business, publishing, education and health care, and a two-day agenda that includes panel discussions, book exhibits, silent auctions and an art show, The Arizona Women’s Forum celebrates this generation of successful women while raising funds to educate the next.

“There hasn’t been anything like this around here.” Forum organizer Anne Barton said. The past President of the AAUW’s Prescott chapter says the Forum mimics the spirit of the Chautauqua Institution talks back east, “where successful women from a variety of fields speak on their lives, their challenges, achievements – and the lessons they learned along the way.”

The Arizona Women’s Forum begins Friday night, January 27, at 5 p.m., with registration/check-in at the Yavapai College Performing Arts Center. Live music from the College’s Jazz ensemble and hors d’oeuvres will backdrop a convivial evening for participants and their spouses as they meet and greet amidst art and book displays and participate in a silent auction.

The Forum begins a busy second day with continental breakfast and a keynote speech by veteran fundraiser, GoalBusters co-founder and Public Television Executive Alice L. Ferris. A Flagstaff native and familiar face from regional and national PBS pledge drives, Ferris will share anecdotes and insights from a thirty-year career that took her from volunteer work at a Wisconsin PBS station to creating and running her own fundraising consultancy.

Saturday then offers participants their choice from a variety of breakout sessions, highlighting career, cultural, health and philanthropic opportunities. Sessions include, “Literary Women in Arizona,” featuring local authors; “Healthy, Wealthy & Wise,” examining sound financial, nutritional and educational practices; “Mind, Body & Spirit” exploring effective physical and emotional self-care practices for women, mothers and caregivers; and “Paying It Forward” spotlighting volunteer opportunities where working and retiring women can share their skills and wisdom.

The Arizona Women’s Forum concludes on Saturday with lunch and closing remarks by first-generation college student, former scholarship athlete and now Yavapai College President Dr. Lisa Rhine. “I’m very excited to participate in the Arizona Women’s Forum,” Dr. Rhine said. “It’s a unique opportunity for women of all ages to gather resources, share ideas and chart the course ahead.”

Ticket packages for the Arizona Women’s Forum start at $125, with full weekend passes available for $150 and a Friday night event package for $50. Student tickets run $60-$75, with student sponsorships available. For reservations or more information, visit: www.yc.edu/azwomensforum or az.womens.forum@aauwprescott.net.

Original source can be found here.