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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    Bonnie Cater

    Chair yoga

     

    An hour long chair yoga class for beginners and seniors

    Marni Kaufman

    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

    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

    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

    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

    Please choose your level of engagement (choose all that apply).

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