| Texas Conference for Women | |
|---|---|
| Formation | 2000 |
| Purpose/focus | Women organization |
| Headquarters | Austin, Texas |
| Official languages | English |
| Official hosts | Rick Perry Anita Perry |
| Website | TXConferenceForWomen.org |
The Texas Conference for Women is a nonprofit, nonpartisan leadership conference for women of all ages and backgrounds. The first annual conference was held in 2000 in Austin, Texas. Governor Rick Perry and First Lady Anita Perry are the official hosts of the event, which has featured keynote speakers including Dr. Maya Angelou, poet, author, educator and historian; Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, writer and family health advocate; Ann Richards, former Governor of Texas; Carly Fiorina, former CEO of HP; Maria Hinojosa, Emmy-nominated journalist and author; and Melinda French Gates, co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Traditionally, the conference has attracted a sold-out crowd of more than 7,500 women.
The one-day event consists of keynote addresses and breakout sessions led by experts in the fields of business, philanthropy, health, finance, media and professional development. Attendees learn new communication skills, leadership strategies and work/life balance tools designed to enhance their professional and personal growth.
For the first eight years the executive forum was held at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. On November 12, 2008, the conference will celebrate its 10th anniversary in Houston at the George L. Brown Convention Center. Tickets are sold online via the conference Web site.
The Texas Conference for Women Scholarship Program awards six $5,000 scholarships to qualified college women who balance academics, service and leadership to make a difference in the community. The scholarships are awarded in the fields of arts, business, education, math and science, public service and nursing at institutions of higher education in Texas.
2008 Meg Whitman, Cherie Blair, Marcus Luttrell, Sarah Jones,
2007 Carly Fiorina, Nancy Giles, Elizabeth Vargas, Mary Wilson,
2006 Yolanda Adams, Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker , Johnnetta Betsch Cole, Ph.D., Martha Stewart,
2005 Dr. Maya Angelou, Sarah Ferguson, Melinda Gates, Maria Hinojosa,
2004 Jennifer Berman, M.D., Laura Berman, LSCW, Ph.D., Kathleen Daelemans, Rend Rahim Francke, Sara Martinez Tucker,
2003 Lindy Boggs, Vonetta Flowers, Karen Hughes, Cokie Roberts, Rebecca Roberts,
2002 Bertice Berry, Ph.D., Ruth J. Simmons, Ph.D., Helen Thomas,
2001 Bertice Berry, Ph.D., Nely Galan, Mae Jemison, Geraldine Laybourne, Ann W. Richards,
2000 Christine Haubegger, Pat Mitchell, Condoleezza Rice,