APRIL 5, 2025
2025 Multicultural Women’s Development Conference
Early Bird Registration to begin February 5, 2025
Claiming Our Power:
Owning Our Worth, Shaping Our Future
The 2025 Multicultural Women’s Development Conference will be held at the FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 73 Valley River Ave, MURPHY, NC on April 5th, 2025 from 9am to 5pm. (Doors will open at 8am)
For nearly 25 years One Dozen Who Care has hosted this dynamic conference that features keynote speakers and breakout sessions focusing on topics including education, self-care, health, empowerment, and economic development and sustainability.
2025 Agenda
SATURDAY APRIL 5TH, 2025
-
8:00-9:00 AM – Registration, breakfast, socializing
-
9:00-9:30 AM – Welcome
-
9:30-10:30 AM – “Wake Up” Breakout Session
-
- Chair Yoga with Bonnie Cater
- The Labyrinth: An Ancient Tool of Self-Discovery and Empowerment with Betsy Winter
- Nature Mandala with Ameena Batada
- Self Defense with Judith Alvarado
-
10:30-11:30 AM – Keynote, JeWana Grier-McEachin, “Use Your Power for Good”
Executive Director, Asheville Buncombe Institute of Parity Achievement
-
11:30-12:30 PM – Concurrent Breakout Sessions
- Nurturing Your Inner Power with Marni April
- Saving Our Mental Health with Mary Ricketson
- Ink Your Intentions with Pat Sherrill
- Downsizing and Accommodating your Home for Aging in Place with Erin Adams
-
12:30-1:30 PM – LUNCH & Networking Hour
-
1:45-2:45 – Plenary, Stephanie Swepson Twitty, “Exploring and Executing the Power of the Pivot”
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Eagle Market Streets Development Corporation
-
3:00-4:00 – Scholarships, Entertainment
- Scholarship awardees
- Poetry reading
-
4:30-5:00 PM – Closing Ceremonies
- Door prizes
*Please note that due to circumstances beyond the control of One Dozen Who Care, Inc., schedule and speakers are subject to change.
2025 Presenters

JeWana Grier-McEachin
KEYNOTE - Use Your Power For Good
Attendees will be encouraged to tap into what their power is and figure out how to use it in ways personally and professionally that are fulfilling and impactful.

Stephanie Swepson Twitty
PLENARY - Exploring and Executing the Power of the Pivot
*Understanding the evolving needs of disenfranchised communities within Asheville and the WNC region.
*Recognizing signals such as shifts in market demand, changes in community demographics, or the need for more equitable economic opportunities.
*Reflecting on Eagle Market Street Development Corporation (EMSDC) experience in housing, commercial leasing and growth.

Erin Adams
Downsizing and Accommodating your Home for Aging in Place
Erin Adams will examine the benefits of downsizing and discuss strategies to best prepare existing homes to accommodate older adults who want to remain in their own homes and communities as they age.

Judith Alvarado
Self-Defense/Self-Awareness
This self-defense workshop empowers participants by providing skills and techniques to protect themselves and deter assault. This is not Martial Arts; basic concepts and skills are provided to help develop self-protection strategies and knowledge that you may continue to build upon. You have the ability to defend yourself, come learn how! Comfortable shoes and clothing are recommended.

Dr. Ameena Batada
Creating Nature-Made Mandala Designs
Inspired by nature and art traditions of her parents’ homeland of India, Ameena Batada creates mandala-type designs and illustrations, and studies connections among arts, nature, and health. Ameena is a UNC Asheville faculty member and she has facilitated mandala classes at the NC Arboretum.

Bonnie Cater
Chair yoga
An hour long chair yoga class for beginners and seniors

Marni Kaufman
Nurturing Your Inner Power
Claim your true potential from within. Discover the profound connection between trust, worth, and love- the power foundation. Uncover your barriers, release limiting patterns, and awaken confidence to make intentional decisions and build authentic relationships. Celebrate greater harmony, clarity, and a brighter empowered future deepening your Divine Feminine Energy connection.

Mary Ricketson
Saving Our Mental Health
What makes good mental health?
Information about key components, realistically, within our own lives and our environment. Assess our own strengths and needs for balance and healthy functioning. Identify problems to resolve in ourselves and others.

Patricia Sherrill
Ink Your Intentions
In this workshop, you’ll make a journal and explore the versatile art of journaling. Discover how this creative tool can be customized to your needs, empowering you to think outside the box, claim your power, shape your future with bold steps, embrace your creativity with ink, and more.

Betsy Winter
The Labyrinth: An Ancient Tool of Self-Discovery and Empowerment
In this age of Social Media and AI, how do we discern what is true and what is fake? Join me for an experiential journey as we walk the Labyrinth, letting go of expectations, practicing deep listening, sharpening our ability to discern our own truth, and strengthening our agency.
2025 Registration
Would you like to get involved? Would you like to get notified about conference updates?
Please fill out the form. We look forward to how we can work together to continue empowering, educating and encouraging women in our communities.
Contact Information
© 2023 All rights reserved. One Dozen Who Care Inc is a non-profit 501c3 corporation | Mail: PO Box 1044, Andrews, NC 28901 | (828) 557-9702 | Email us