Letting go of the harsh expectations of yourself, creating an inspired workspace and dealing with the challenges that women face in life and in the workplace were only a few of the topics at the Women’s Leadership Conference. While the conference put on the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce couldn’t take place in-person like it did in the past, a virtual event took place on Sept. 25.
Live speakers were featured, along with pre-recorded “breakout” sessions for participants to watch. Janet Clark, vice president for academic and student affairs at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC), offered a welcoming statement. The Woods was the title sponsor for the conference, which was themed “Limitless.”
“We have our historic commitment from nearly 180 years of being a college that empowers women through leadership,” Clark said about SMWC. “The College wants to celebrate the talented speakers and those who are able to be here.”
Kristin Craig, president of the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce, explained that the event was scheduled to be at SMWC, but was converted to virtual presentations due to the pandemic. “We were supposed to be there today on their beautiful campus, so many thanks to them,” she said. The conference had 170 registered participants.
Featured speaker Tradara McLaurine, executive director of the Career Center at Indiana State University, spoke to those attending about how to lead in a variety of roles in terms of shoes. She said when she began her career at Ivy Tech, she had a perception of what a professional woman should look like. That image included make-up and heels.
After realizing that heels were not the key to success, McLaurine shifted her frame of mind.
“Rely on your skills and knowledge and you can show your professionalism that way,” she said. “Finding comfort in your leadership shoes give you confidence in your abilities. Don’t say yes to everything – this applies to women and professionals. Saying yes to everything started to be a burden. Saying no is not me not being there for my teammate, but about what opportunities best suit me.”
Andie Hines-Lagemann, executive director of Own Your Success, opened the conference with her segment on work/life blending. She, like McLaurine, agrees that you can’t do everything.
“Sometimes showing up is the best you can do. Being present is doing a good job,” Hines-Lagemann said.
Ultimately, McLaurine said that looking out for each other is how to create a successful environment.
“In order to get through a storm, you can’t get through it by yourself,” she said. “We need a team. Empower your team. Just because you can do it doesn’t mean you have to do it. We don’t know what these women are going through, or what shoes they are wearing at this time.”
With several Woods women tuning in, the conference had something for everyone – between talking about being a working mother to dealing with the stress of coronavirus. Jenifer Wright ‘17, director of annual giving at SMWC, said watching with her colleagues was more impactful than if she had watched it by herself.
“We know that when women support each other, incredible things will happen,” Wright said. “What better way to celebrate female leadership than coming together virtually to view the Terre Haute Women’s Leadership Conference led by the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce? To hear stories from strong women leadership is both empowering and moving.”