Robin Roberts, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Others Inspire Massachusetts Conference for Women

10,000 in Boston for Country's Largest Gathering of Women

BOSTON, Dec. 5, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "We are all just a little bit stronger than we think we are," Robin Roberts, co-host of ABC's "Good Morning America" told a sold-out hall at today's 9th annual Massachusetts Conference for Women. "It's not what you accomplish in life, it's what you overcome."

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131205/DC28847)

More than 10,000 women gathered today to hear from the accomplished journalist, along with other acclaimed speakers including Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, Nobel Peace Prize Recipient Leymah Gbowee, best-selling author Susan Cain, Blake Mycoskie, founder and chief shoe giver of TOMS and actress and activist Kerry Washington. "When women gather great things happen," said Gbowee, a Liberian peace activist who helped to end her country's civil war. "Imagine if everyone in this room could exploit their collective power to bring about change."

Themed "The Power of Us," the one-day conference at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center featured keynote addresses and breakout sessions led by more than one hundred experts in the fields of business, philanthropy, health, finance, media and professional development. The nonprofit, nonpartisan event drew women of all ages and backgrounds who are interested in building communication skills, leadership strategies and work-life balance tools.

"Today we celebrate the ability of women to inspire, inform and connect with each other," said Gloria Larson, Board President of the Massachusetts Conference for Women and President of Bentley University. "By exploring our own power, we are giving women the tools they need to chart a new course for themselves and to transform their communities."  

In addition to the renowned keynotes, attendees heard from and participated in sessions led by nationally known experts whose panels covered career coaching, resume review, personal development, money management, health and wellness, professional reinvention and entrepreneurship, small business, social media marketing, branding and much more.  Among them: Tory Johnson, New York Times bestselling author, The Shift, and workplace contributor, "Good Morning America"; Harvard Law lecturer Erica Ariel Fox, a highly sought after advisor in organizational effectiveness and executive development; author and former Facebook executive Randi Zuckerberg, media executive and best-selling author Cathie Black.

The Conference awarded its annual "Be the Change" Award, honoring a Massachusetts woman who embodies compassion and community spirit to Judy Giavangelo, Executive Director of Ben Speaks Louder than Words, an anti-bullying organization founded in memory of her son Ben, who took his own life at the age of 18. In recognizing Giavangelo's activism, Conference organizers noted her work bringing her anti-bullying message to more than 70 schools.

Attendees also participated in Local Leader Meet Ups and Expert Exchange sessions for the chance to have one-on-one conversations with local businesswomen and community leaders.  Conference attendees also participated in the popular Suffolk Career Pavilion, featuring resume reviews by human resource experts, one-on-one "speed coaching" sessions with local career coaches and executives, workshops on communication skills and social media, and much more. The Conference Health & Wellness Pavilion showcased speakers and companies dedicated to improving women's health, while an onsite Exhibit Hall boasted hundreds of organizations and companies with products or services that appeal to women.

State Street Corporation was the presenting sponsor for the conference. Other sponsors include: AAA Southern New England, AMP Radio 103.3 FM, Amtrak, Bank of America, The Boston Globe, Boston Magazine, Boston Scientific, Bentley University, Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Canyon Ranch, Cisco, Citizens Bank, Crimson Lion Foundation, CVS Caremark, EMC 2, EMD Living Innovation, EMD Millipore, EMD Serono, Inc., Hill Holliday, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, John Hancock, Liberty Mutual Insurance, Massachusetts, Mix 104.1, National Grid, Raytheon Company, The Republican, Sankaty Advisors, Sanofi, Santander/Sovereign Bank, Suffolk Red &Blue Foundation, ThermoFisher Scientific, Tufts Health Plan, United Airlines, WBZ 1030 News Radio, WCVB TV, and Weber Shandwick.

"We came together at this year's conference to recognize the power of women to create change in their own lives and in their communities," said Alison Quirk, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources and Citizenship Officer for State Street Corporation. "Women make up 45 percent of State Street's employee base and are the driving force of our ability to stay both flexible and innovative in an ever-changing marketplace.  This conference truly demonstrates the 'The Power of Us.'"

To learn more about the Massachusetts Conference for Women, visit our website at www.MAconferenceforwomen.org, follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/masswomen or like our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/maconferenceforwomen.

SOURCE Massachusetts Conference for Women