DALLAS—Young women from across Texas will gather to ignite their ambition to become next-generation political leaders during a one-day conference hosted by IGNITETexas.
“IGNITING Tomorrow’s Leaders,” a conference for young women aged 14-22, will be held Saturday, February 20, 2016, on the SMU campus in Dallas. New Mexico Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham will give the keynote address and is one of several inspiring speakers who will help ignite the leadership spark among the young women. “Congresswoman Grisham is a dynamic leader and speaker. We’re excited to have a national political figure inspire our girls to take the next step in leadership and hear first-hand how women can not only impact but create policy as an elected official,” said IGNITE Texas Director, Dr. Margo McClinton Stoglin. Congresswoman Lujan Grisham serves on three committees in the U.S. House of Representatives and is a longtime advocate for seniors, veterans, and society’s most vulnerable citizens.
“Young women in middle school, high school, and college often have tremendous passion for public service,” said IGNITE founder and president Dr. Anne Moses. “But they need training and guidance to maximize their potential. Our powerhouse line-up of inspiring speakers, combined with several dynamic workshops and expert panels, will set young women on the right course to help their dreams come to life. I wish I had attended a conference like this at that age!”
Other conference speakers and panelists will include:
Dr. Jeffrey Engel, award-winning American history scholar and director of the Center for Presidential History at SMU
Dr. Rita Kirk, Director of the Cary M. Maguire Center for Ethics & Public Responsibility at SMU
Dr. Michelle Lockhart, Professor at UTD focusing on women in politics and communication
Karen Liu Pang, Director of Human Resources and Business Administration, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas
Susie McMinn and Edie Lycke, members of Team Dallas Votes
Jeff Dalton, Political Consultant at Democracy Toolbox
Dr. Carine M. Feyten, Chancellor and President of Texas Woman’s University
The conference will cover the topics of:
Voting
Equal Pay
Identity: Crafting a Message and Delivering to Voters
Networking Successfully
The Image of the Female President
Women in Entrepreneurship
Leading in the Real World
Fundraising