The 6th WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT SYMPOSIUM, Loving From The Inside Out 2014 presented by the Emmett Till Legacy Foundation RETURNED TO PENSACOLA on March 14 and 15. was a success!

The 6^th 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.

Save the date: March 27-28, 2015 in Pensacola, FL at New World  Landing.  If you’d like more information about this event or the Emmett Till Legacy Foundation email info@emmetttilllegacyfoundation.com  or via http://www.emmetttilllegacyfoundation.com/, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Emmett-Till-Legacy-Foundation/138927669624 or www.twitter.com/emmetttill  Also feel free to contact Teri Watts at 832 217 0530 or via email teri@theimanijamesgroup.com