The Brandywine Blog

When I was invited to attend this year's Annual Pennsylvania Conference for Women in Philadelphia by our chancellor, Dr. Sophia Wisniewska, I had no idea what to expect. I signed up right away when I learned that Gloria Steinem was a keynote speaker, but the rest of the itinerary looked a little too career-focused for my undergraduate, pre-career self. I was excited to see Gretchen Rubin, the author of the New York Times bestseller, The Happiness Project, speak, and was thrilled that Christy Turlington Burns joined the line-up late in the game, but other than that, I was a little apprehensive. What could I learn from seminars about climbing the corporate ladder and being an effective leader in the office? I'm still a college student! Skeptical as I was, the opening keynotes exceeded my expectations.

I listened to Gretchen Rubin talk about the important role happiness plays in our lives. "Happy people make people happy," she said. Martha Beck, lauded by Psychology Today, USA Today, and NPR as one of America's best-known life coaches, talked about the physiological differences in the way men and women react to stress. Women secrete different hormones, making them want to take care of others. "Men want to fight or flee. Women want to fight or flee but make sure everyone has a sandwich and a sweater."

I was happily surprised at the way the day was progressing. I felt like I was not only in for a day full of inspiring talks from motivating women, but I was about to gain insight into the way fear operates in my life on a daily basis. Fear is a powerful emotion that causes us to lose focus of the present moment, of what is real and tangible and beautiful in each single moment. I was able to lose myself in the beauty of the day, instead of worrying about my impending thesis due dates and long list of tasks to complete by the end of the week.

I gained insight into effective leadership from Betsy Myers, author (Take the Lead: Motivate, Inspire, and Bring Out the Best in Yourself and Everyone Around You), founder of the Center for Women and Business at Bentley University, and former senior adviser for the Clinton and Obama administrations.

I peeked inside the world of fashion journalism with Kate Betts, author (Everyday Icon: Michelle Obama and the Power of Style) and former TIME Magazine contributor, Vogue editor, and editor-in-chief of Harper's Bazaar.

Condemned Olympian-turned-motivational speaker, Marion Jones, talked about her struggle to deal with her fear when faced with the reality of a poor decision: taking performance-enhancing drugs. She said, "If only I had taken a break instead of trying to deal with the fear myself, I might have made a better decision."

Maternal health advocate, Christy Turlington Burns, talked about the struggle to transform her global image from a legendary supermodel to a public health advocate. Her current initiative, "Every Mother Counts," is aimed at increasing education and support for the women who die every 90 seconds from complications in pregnancy; of these deaths, 90 precent are preventable.

Author (Add More ~ing To Your Life) and self-proclaimed "Spirit Junkie," Gabrielle Bernstein led an intimate session that chronicled her trip to rock bottom and her arduous journey toward sobriety, spirituality, and self-love.

The final keynote speaker at lunch was social and political activist, journalist, and famously important feminist, Ms. Gloria Steinem. Gloria provided the conference attendees with her "Top 10 Fear-Busters," which I will share with you, too:

10. Reverse the Golden Rule. For women, they must learn to treat themselves as they treat others.

9. Fear is a sign of growth. If you're afraid, it means you are stretching; you are doing something you haven't done before.

8. Anger is an energy cell: It is precious. It informs you.

7. We need to make sure we are using our own unique talents.

6. Measure yourself by the real, not the ideal.

5. Look for allies everywhere. Don't be bound by conventional hierarchies.

4. What is viewed as a disability--being feminine--is actually an advantage. The stereotypical "feminine" qualities are actually qualities that all humans possess. They are available to men and women, and we should count them as positive, not negative.

3. Just about anyone can learn to change. Even us. Even them.

2. Ask for help. Surround yourself with people who make you feel smart, not dumb.

1. Remember that our humanity, our equality, our self-determination is the key to everything.

I was lucky enough to be one of the first people in line to have Gloria sign a copy of her book, Outrageous Acts and Everyday Rebellions. I was incredibly nervous, and stumbled over my words to thank her for her dedication to making the world a better place for women.

My experience at the conference was so profoundly personal, eye-opening, exhilarating, and proved to be a healthy way to take care of myself for the day. It was like the whole day was a giant hug from my peers, the women of the world who are advocates for change, for growth, for learning, love, and freeing ourselves from fear. 

Live fearlessly!

- Sara Neville, Senior, Philosophy

{Photo Credit: Karrie Bowen, Instructor in Communications}