2020 Celebrate Women conference makes history, virtually connecting and empowering participants during COVID-19 pandemic
Among the more than 30 presenters at the 2020 Celebrate Women conference, which was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic, was Dr. Paige Gutheil, DO ’02. A graduate of the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine and an assistant professor of primary care at the Heritage College’s Dublin Campus, Dr. Gutheil presented “Talk to the Doc: Coronavirus Basics and Q&A.”
Ohio University Lancaster’s annual Celebrate Women conference is a day dedicated to honoring the past, present and future achievements of women, and the organizers of and participants in this year’s event seized the opportunity to make history of their own.
Amid the unprecedented changes sparked by the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, organizers of the 14th annual Celebrate Women conference faced a difficult decision: adapt or cancel the March 27 event.
Inspired by the “Nevertheless, she persisted” mantra of the modern-day feminist movement, the team behind the 2020 Celebrate Women conference pressed on, moving the event to a virtual setting with a commitment to safety and to honoring both Women’s History Month and the 100th anniversary of women’s right to vote.
“Rather than cancel the event, the Celebrate Women committee saw the conference as needed now more than ever to bring people together and to have a positive message in the face of adversity,” said Pam Kaylor, a conference organizer and associate professor of instruction at Ohio University Lancaster. “Our team members were committed to taking the risk of moving the conference online.”
Kaylor and her fellow organizers set about moving the conference to Zoom, allowing presenters and participants to connect with and learn from one another through video conferencing and chats. The group moved quickly to not only put the technology needed in place but also to coordinate with the 30-plus conference presenters.
“Our connection to the speakers was much more significant this year,” Kaylor said. “We did training virtually in their homes, with pets and more personal approaches. It was also about reassuring one another.It just seemed like a different kind of connection.”
The theme of this year’s conference was “Vision 2020: Women Organizing, Mentoring, Empowering and Networking,” but Kaylor said the team also put patience and forgiveness at the forefront of their plans. As trailblazers of the first-ever online Celebrate Women conference, they had to practice adaptability and persistence when planning this transition.
Despite the last-minute changes, the 2020 Celebrate Women conference was another success, bringing more than 200 participants, including Ohio University students, faculty, staff and alumni, from Ohio and beyond together for meaningful conversations and to honor the accomplishments and capabilities of women.
“Our conference theme this year should have been ‘Collaboration and Commitment’ as we worked together to do the preliminary work, keep the vision and flavor of the conference, and to learn new skills – like much of Ohio University is doing during this time period,” Kaylor said.
Rock singer challenges audience to face fears, find courage
Singer-songwriter Kat Perkins was the keynote speaker for this year’s conference, greeting the audience from her home in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and sharing her story of struggle and success through a virtual presentation titled “Living a Fearless Life.”
“The topic ‘Living Fearless’ could not be more perfect in the face of a global pandemic as we’re looking for ways to find our own voices and elevate our truths,” Erin Essak Kopp, assistant vice president of alumni relations and executive director of the Ohio University Alumni Association, said in introducing Perkins.
Perkins talked about growing in a small North Dakota town where she discovered her love for singing at a young age. After graduating high school, she took her first leap of faith and packed her bags for Minneapolis. It was there that she formed her first band, Scarlet Haze, which scored its first “big break,” playing as the opening act for Bon Jovi.
2020 Celebrate Women keynote speaker Kat Perkins, a singer-songwriter who was a finalist on the sixth season of NBC’s “The Voice,” shares her story of struggle and success in a virtual presentation titled “Living a Fearless Life.”
“I remember when the lights went down at the show and everyone screamed,” Perkins said. “I thought, ‘This is what I want to do forever.’”
Soon after, Scarlet Haze amassed popularity and secured a record deal. But physically, something didn’t feel right for Perkins. She had severe throat pain and learned that she had an advanced cyst that required immediate surgery. Perkins was told that the recovery period would be significant and that she wouldn’t be performing anytime soon. She lost her band, her record deal and the life she had always dreamed for herself.
But in the midst of distress, Perkins found courage.
“It was hard to know in the moment, but it was the best thing that ever happened to me,” she said. “It changed my whole perspective. I had to find purpose again.”
Perkins found that purpose while serving as a nanny, playing games and watching television shows, including NBC’s “The Voice,” with the children she was caring for. In a twist of fate, she received an email from an NBC talent recruiter asking her to audition for the show.
Though she was nervous to relaunch her journey as a musical performer, Perkins made the decision to audition for “The Voice.” She was coached by pop singer Adam Levine and made it to the top five contestants on the show’s sixth season.
In reflecting on her time on “The Voice,” Perkins said the biggest lesson she learned was how to overcome doubt.
“The great news about doubt is that we are 100 percent in control of that,” she said. “Discomfort lasts three seconds, but joy lasts a lifetime.”
After her time on “The Voice,” Perkins continued pursuing her passion for music and now travels North America as a motivational speaker. She left the audience with three core values she believes are essential to living a fearless life: Courage, conquer and commend.
“Once you are able to conquer your fears, you need to commend yourself,” she said. “Too often we focus on what goes wrong. Let’s recognize all those things that go right.”
Opening panelists discuss intersection of career success and womanhood
The Celebrate Women conference kicked off with a panel discussion titled “Women Who Organize, Mentor, Empower and Network” and moderated by Laurie Lach, BSC ’92, MA ’18, director of development and external affairs at Ohio University Lancaster.
The panelists included:
- Sandra Anderson, BSC ’73, a former member and chair of Ohio University’s Board of Trustees and a current board member of The Ohio University Foundation Board of Trustees, the Legacy Fund of the Columbus Foundation, and The Matriots.
- Debra Smith, BA ’74, a retired assistant professor at Ohio University and a certified trainer for Bridges Out of Poverty.
- Ronette Burkes-Trowsdell, deputy director of reentry for the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.
Each of the panelists discussed her career journey and the skills and values they rely on in their professional and personal endeavors. Burkes-Trowsdell challenged audience members to find their passion and a career that aligns with it. As a leader in the field of rehabilitation and correction, Burkes-Trowsdell said she is guided by her personal mantra that “kindness matters,” and all individuals are deserving of respect.
“I use this idea of kindness to impact the culture at my workplace and let people know they matter, no matter their conviction,” Burkes-Trowsdell said. “But regardless of your own position, just remember to be yourself and remember what you believe in.”
Conference sessions educate and inspire attendees
Celebrate Women participants spent the bulk of the day engaging in 16 breakout sessions, using Zoom to interact with the conference’s presenters and with one another. Many of the day’s sessions were tailored to provide participants information and resources they could use in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Debra Dunning, an associate professor of early childhood education at Ohio University Lancaster, presented “Dealing, Discovering, and Doing: Keeping Homebound Children Engaged.” With the majority of the nation’s schoolchildren confined to learning at home and parents and teachers adapting to a new educational model, Dunning has created a Facebook group for parents and educators to use as a resource for homeschooling.
“The group has practical ideas for parents who have suddenly become teachers with no training at all,” she said. “I emphasize to keep it really simple. Create a space in your home that emulates school. You can be a little flexible but keep the general school routine, so children’s minds and bodies get used to it.”
Dunning also emphasized the importance of physical activity for children and cautioned listeners against oversaturating their household with news.
“We have to change our mindset,” she said. “What you’re gaining is learning to find joy in the things around us.”
Dr. Paige Gutheil, DO ’02, a graduate of the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine and an assistant professor of primary care at the Heritage College’s Dublin Campus, presented “Talk to the Doc: Coronavirus Basics and Q&A.” Gutheil answered questions about common symptoms of COVID-19, the difference between it and the flu, and the best preventative measures.
“We have to follow this social distancing, the sooner the better,” she said. “To return to safety and normalcy, the solution is to find new ways to solve new problems.”
In addition to presenting information and resources related to the current global health crisis, the 2020 Celebrate Women conference also took time to commemorate a milestone in our nation’s history, the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage. Several of the day’s sessions focused on the importance of mentorship and communication, highlighting the skills and passion that women leveraged a century ago to band together and fight for equal rights.
During the “Electing Women at the Local Level” session, four elected female officeholders discussed their campaign processes, political duties and professional development. The speakers included:
- Angie Jenkins, president of Reynoldsburg City Council
- Meredith Lawson-Rowe, Reynoldsburg City Councilwoman
- Kristin Malhotra, Deerfield Township Trustee
- Melissa Wilde, Violet Township Trustee
Each of the officeholders emphasized the importance of having female voices and perspectives in the political arena while recognizing the barriers women face in politics.
“Women strive too often toward perfection, and we let that idea get in the way,” Lawson-Rowe said. “You have to get out of your own way and own head and know you’re enough.”
Celebrating Ohio’s ‘Feisty Females’
In the spirit of honoring women’s suffrage, the virtual conference concluded with an Eden Valley Enterprises production of “Feisty Females from Ohio,” performed by historian Bette Lou Higgins.
Higgins recounted several stories and accomplishments of Ohio women including Victoria Woodhull, an American leader of the women’s suffrage movement and the first woman to run for United States president in 1872. Higgins also shared the inspiring tale of Caroline Everhard, the first female bank director in Ohio and a fierce suffrage advocate.
The presentation served as an important reminder of the courageous and progressive accomplishments of Ohio women and inspired the 2020 Celebrate Women participants to follow in their footsteps.
The Celebrate Women conference is organized by Ohio University Lancaster faculty, staff and students and sponsored by the Ohio University Alumni Association.