16th annual Celebrate Women conference set for March 25

Celebrating Resilience and Rejuvenation is the theme of the 16^th annual Celebrate Women conference scheduled for March 25, 2022. The conference will return to its in-person format on the Ohio University Lancaster campus and will have several virtual sessions available for those planning to attend remotely.

Paralympian gold medalist and ESPN host and anchor Victoria Arlen is this year’s keynote speaker. The topic of her keynote address is “Face it, Embrace it, Defy it, Conquer it.”

“We are very excited to have Victoria Arlen as keynote,” said Pamela Kaylor, co-chair and associate professor of instruction at OHIO Lancaster. “Her perseverance and ability to be resilient Is a profound and inspiring story. We encourage the community to purchase her book to read and be signed at the conference.”

Arlen has a remarkable story of overcoming odds and adversity. At 11 years old, she was diagnosed with two rare conditions; Transverse Myelitis and Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis. She soon lost the ability to speak, eat, walk, and move. Arlen persevered through four years of being in a vegetative state and shortly after, began the near-impossible journey to relearn everyday tasks and functions.

When she joined ESPN, she was in a wheelchair. In the Spring of 2017, she celebrated the one-year anniversary of regaining her ability to walk. During her recovery, she became an accomplished motivational speaker, actress, model and competitive swimmer. In the fall of 2017, Arlen was a contestant on ABC’s Dancing With the Stars, advancing to the final four before being eliminated. She released her autobiography, entitled “Locked In,” in 2018.

“This year’s theme certainly exemplifies the struggles we’ve all had over the last two years. But we, as women, we ARE resilient, and ARE becoming rejuvenated through initiatives like this, and through fellowship and partnerships with other women,” said Lisa Taylor, co-chair and associate professor of instruction at OHIO Lancaster. “Celebrate Women 2022 provides some wonderful, much-needed, and cost-effective training in a wide variety of very timely topics to refresh us all! There is something for everyone at this year’s conference.”

The day will begin with an opening panel, “Women Who Lead: Reflection on Resilience and Rejuvenation,” with panelists Laura Tussing, regional banking director and chief experience officer at Park National Bank; Mary Bradley, deputy inspector general for Cuyahoga County; and Christine Bhat, professor of counseling and higher education in the Patton College of Education.

Over 35 additional speakers are scheduled to present this year. Topics range from mental health, financial stability, imposter syndrome, work life balance to self-defense, art, and music therapy, among others.

Celebrate Women has devoted 16 years to providing community and business leaders, campus and community members, and students with the opportunity to learn, share ideas and network with one another. The annual conference has been a staple of Ohio University Lancaster and has left an impact on those who have attended.

“After attending Celebrate Women conferences the past several years, I knew I wanted to be a part of the planning for this celebration. I reached out to Professor Kaylor and am now the 2022 Celebrate Women intern,” said McKenzie Taylor, a senior in the communication studies program. “Being on this committee has really put into perspective the hard work and dedication that goes into this conference. I am excited to see it all come together and watch as we celebrate resilience and rejuvenation together on March 25.”

The purpose of Celebrate Women is – through education, enlightenment, and inspiration – to encourage and enhance gender equity by honoring the past, present, and potential accomplishments of women from diverse ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds. This event is planned in conjunction with National Women’s History Month.

For more information, email dawes@ohio.edu. To register for Celebrate Women, visit ohio.edu/Lancaster/community/celebrate-women.