The 6th WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT SYMPOSIUM, Loving From The Inside
Out 2014, was a success!
Women
came together to heal, grow, & find love! Loving From The Inside Out 2014 offered a
powerful and life changing opportunity for women in the Pensacola area and
across the country to learn and hear about strategies for enhancing their
lives, relationships, health, love for themselves and more! This one-day
symposium featured dynamic “Inside your Mind”,….“Wellness”,…“Body”,…“Spirit” and….“Power”
speakers all with a powerful story to tell. Dr. Donna Bennett, OB/GYN at University of South, Alabama opened up
the symposium at the meet and greet held on Friday evening, March 14 at Five
Sisters Blues café by posing and answering the questions most women and men
want to know, but are afraid to ask.
The next morning, attendees were invited to enjoy and shop in the
Market Place with some very special vendors. There was jewelry, books, DVD’s, accessories,
health information, authors, artist, personal trainers, makeup and more!
The presenters for the full day symposium, held at New World
Landing, were Dr. Kelli T. Wells, Dir. of the Dept. of Health in Duval County,
Carolyn East, National Evangelist, and Ordained Elder at Apostolic Overcoming
Church of God, Inc., Robin Reshard, Filmmaker, Robert Robino Productions and LaTonja
Muhammad Ali, Entertainment Executive, CEO of Celebrity Cause, Inc.
The
Women of Courage Awards luncheon held that afternoon, featured the very
talented, Jevetta Steele a 2008 Woman of Courage honoree. She is a member of
the musical family The Steele’s and an Academy Award-nominee for her
performance of “Calling You” from the movie “Bagdad Café.” She amazed the
audience with her story and songs of betrayal, love and redemption. Jacqueline
Olive and Mikaela Anderson shared a powerfully moving original poem “For Women
Who Do Not Speak” that brought a standing ovation and tears to the eyes of the
audience.
The awards luncheon was masterfully hosted by Mistress of Ceremonies,
Mamie Webb Hixon, a noted grammarian and assistant professor at UWF. The Woman
of Courage awards were presented by Deborah Watts to seven well deserving women,
in honor of Mamie Till Mobley, the mother of Emmett Till. The 2014 Woman of
Courage awardees were:
·
Jacqueline Barber, retired police detective and cancer patient, GA
·
Doris Hines, talented vocalist and renowned recording artist, MN
·
Ethel D. "Gail" Johnson, enterprising entrepreneur
and dance teacher, FL
·
Peggy Wallace Kennedy, daughter of Gov. George
Wallace, AL
·
Ann Richard, chairman of The King Richard Foundation, FL
·
Lizzie Velasquez, motivational speaker, labeled the world’s
ugliest woman, TX
·
Sparkle Wimberly, entrepreneur and health & wellness expert,
MN
After the awards luncheon, Nicole Randolph of Body by
NicoleFitness led the women and men in
attendance in a fun and exciting ENERGIZE! Let’s Move exercise session.
At the close of a very full day, some of the comments heard from the
attendees were; “What a beautiful day”, “I
am “inspired”, connected and empowered”, “This should happen each month”, “It
was Awesome”, “I feel so honored and
loved”, “I was moved beyond belief”, “I
was truly blessed and cannot stop talking about it”, “All of those fabulous
women fortified me for what I faced when I got home, Nothing happens by chance”.
Now, judging by the comments, the sharing, caring, joy, tears and embraces,
this heartwarming and intimate symposium and awards luncheon was a
successful and amazing expression of spirit, compassion and love!
The
Emmett Till Legacy Foundation (ETLF), a non-profit organization, created Loving
From The Inside Out in 2006. It is hosted by ETLF Co-Founder, Deborah Watts and
board members Tia Robbins, Toni Joyner and Teri Watts along with a host of hard
working and dedicated Circle of Women and Men volunteers.
