We want to share the conference with even more young women of the South Valley community

By Laurie Spencer

Laurie Spencer

As more and more women are empowered to become leaders, everyone benefits. That’s why the Young Women Leaders committee works to foster leadership skills within the girls of our community through our annual youth leadership conferences.

These symposiums create a positive and inspiring environment through lively workshops and presentations with notable keynote speakers. Each year, we touch on various social issues and topics relevant to the girls’ lives such as future careers, women’s health, STEM, and social justice. These conferences are fully run by members of YWL, motivated high school girls of our community, who aspire to uplift fellow young women to be leaders as well.

As a member of YWL for more than two years, I served as one of the main planners for our 2023 leadership conference last April. That conference turned out even better than I had anticipated, with so many motivated young women participating in the various workshops.

This conference consisted of many highlights, such as workshops on interviewing skills, body positivity, and leadership. In addition to this, we had a climate justice speaker talk on current environmental issues. At the conclusion of the conference, I was confident every girl went home inspired and having gained a better knowledge of women’s and social issues.

This past conference was such a positive experience for me, as it was my first time playing a major role in its planning. Being able to see all our hard work come to life on the day of the conference was rewarding, and it was fulfilling to see the positive effects on the girls who attended.

A highlight for me was the leadership workshop put on by Mary Patterson, a trustee of the Morgan Hill Unified School District board and a member of the AAUW. Her words on leadership left a lasting impact on me and really made me realize the power in being true to yourself. It also reminded us about the value of working as a team. I could tell her lively presentation and natural charisma energized and inspired the girls, leaving them with a new sense of self confidence and motivation to be leaders themselves.

An additional highlight was when the groups all took a break from the workshops to participate in a quick but thorough self-defense workshop demonstrated by a talented high school student from the self-defense club at Monte Vista High School. All participants got to stretch their legs and get energized while learning the basics of an important skill for women’s safety.

Watching the presenter demonstrate her skills with such expertise left us all in awe and inspired to attempt to replicate the best we could. Getting to see both the conference participants, as well as the YWL members, having so much fun learning the various techniques, added so much joy to the conference. This was definitely a highlight for me.

After my enormously positive experience at the YWL Youth Leadership Conference a year ago, I am excited to once more see the result of our hard work come to life March 9. We want to share it with even more young women of the South Valley community including Gilroy residents.

This year, we will have speakers on managing finance, nutrition, women’s health, and potential career pathways, in addition to STEM activities and a UJAM session. We will provide lunch along with prizes open to all participants. All young women who attend will develop skills and knowledge in these various topics, allowing for them to build their confidence as leaders and women.

YWL cannot wait to once again see the many motivated young women join us for our 2024 youth leadership conference. Sign up at www.eventbrite.com/e/young-women-leaders-leadership-conference-tickets-788337928967?aff=ebdshpsearchautocomplete.

Laurie Spencer is a junior at Ann Sobrato High School and a member of the Young Women Leaders committee.