Empowering Tomorrow's Leaders: She Leads Conference Celebrates Young Women

The She Leads Conference, presented by Girls to Women, was an inspiring event held at Memorial Hall in OTR, dedicated to empowerment and change through the celebration of women’s achievements and contributions. The conference focused on the theme "Moving Forward Together," which encouraged unity and collaboration, empowering students to pursue their dreams and break barriers. A variety of sessions aimed at inspiring and educating students were featured, emphasizing the importance of influencing, mentoring and empowering young people. Keynote speakers, including Shelly Conrad, the Girls to Women Program Lead, and Kennedy Wiley, a senior at Withrow High School, shared their personal stories and insights. Dr. Kareem Moffett, CPS Board President, delivered remarks on the importance of leadership and growth within the district.

The event offered a diverse array of engaging breakout sessions, such as the Ancestral Dance Tribute to Girls to Women, led by the Aiken Girls to Women and Dance Team. Additional workshops included "Be Well, Be Wise... Transform!", focused on supporting young women, and the “All Hail the Queens” hip-hop dance workshop, led by Camille Jones from Elementz Cincinnati. Furthermore, Mary Williams, a Communication Specialist with Cincinnati Public Schools, and Fatima Diallo, a Social Media Strategist, led a session on managing social media profiles and maintaining a positive online presence. Kimore Glover, a senior at Woodward High School, also participated, sharing her insights on the vital role young women play in shaping the future.

Shelly Conrad, the Girls to Women Program Lead, reflected on the impact of the event, saying, “This transformative event is designed to offer leadership development to women in G2W, connecting them with influential women in their community who exemplify superb leadership. It provides a platform for Girls to Women members to be inspired by the stories and achievements of women in their community.”

The theme of the event, "Moving Forward Together," made it especially meaningful. As Conrad pointed out, “With all of the concerns that we are facing in our country, it is important that we as girls and women persevere through these changes with grace and diligence. In spite of these challenges, we will continue to make a difference and honor our success and accomplishments, as we continue to 'move forward together!'”

This message of resilience and unity continues to inspire and empower those who attended, reinforcing the importance of leadership, community and collaboration in the pursuit of progress.