Women of Color Conference

The YWCA Orange County was proud to be a partnering organization in the 3rd Annual Conference for Women of Color on November 17, 2007 in Newburgh, NY. The conference goals were identified as 1) to create an intergenerational forum for discussing our health and wellbeing as women of color; 2) to identify and discuss resources that exist to promote health and wellness among women of color; and 3) to strengthen grassroots organizing among women of color in the Hudson Valley. The Keynote Speaker was Felicia Hodges, founder and editor of Tri-County Women magazine. Her topic was, "Getting THERE from HERE," addressing the need for women to begin NOW to plan for their future. There were many workshops available; to name a few: Creating Social Change: What is My Role?, Stress Reduction to Sustain Our Work and Families, and Creative Art in Movement.
Myya Valentine, the Administrative Assistant at the YWCA Orange County, attended and she reports:
"What inspired me was all ethnic races in one room respecting one another. We were able to listen and understand each other whether we agreed or disagreed. This conference helped me believe in myself and speak up on what I thought without feeling shy. We learned ways to become a strong individual within our homes and workplaces. I also realized that a leader is not always just one person, but often a team. Many young people attended the meeting. I think the main point was to get the message out that you can always go higher at any time of your life because learning expands the mind at any age. Getting to your goal is not always the finish line, but is just the beginning."