Saratoga News

Louise Webb

Conference inspires women

Several Saratogans attended the first Bay Area Women's Conference that took place at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center April 23. More than 38 speakers presented seminars. Sally Branon, secretary of St. Andrew's School, was pleased with the conference. "There was something there for everyone," she noted.

The morning key-note speaker, Mary Lea Balsley, program coordinator for West Valley College's Small Business Institute and owner of Too Hot to Handle, a San Jose- based speaking, consulting and training company, was a dynamic speaker. She feels women should maintain their power and dignity by being assertive, and she stressed the power of saying no when it is in your best interest to do so.

The keynote luncheon speaker was movie and stage entertainer Debbie Reynolds. She was talented, warm, open, witty and a positive role model for surviving as a star against tremendous odds.

After hearing Reynolds' keynote speech, former Saratogan Diana Daane of Diana Daane Designs concluded, "Debbie is the unsinkable Molly Brown." Saratogan Berit Wick, vice president of Europress Connection, added, "Debbie gave a good message for women to take care of themselves."

Wick enjoyed networking with other professional businesswomen and was interested in the public speaking aspect of the conference. It was reinforced for her that having a good presence in making a speech is not enough. It is important to be interesting as well. She liked Mary-Ellen Drummond's tips on ways to inspire your audience to listen. Drummond advised always giving more to your audience in a speech than they expect.

Lani Mah, director of primary grades at Saint Andrew's School, said she felt recharged after attending the conference. One of the seminars she attended was on igniting passion in your work and life and then developing it further. She said the topic could apply to children as well as adults.

Sally Branon received a fashion update from San Jose newspaper columnist Mary Gottschalk's seminar on "Fashion Victim or Victor." According to Gottschalk, what's in this spring going into fall is femininity softness, sheerness, ruffles and lots of bright colors. The spike heel is back.

At the end of the conference, Branon said that the concept of a women's conference, whether it be for private business-women or corporate leaders, is a step forward for our business-oriented area. She thinks we should take advantage of these great leaders and business sessions and is looking forward to another one next year.

Other News: There's a lot going on at Saint Andrew's School. The parents recently held their spring auction fundraiser. Grandparent Harley Bragg made a mammoth castle at the school entrance for the medieval event. The schoolchildren loved going through the castle to get to school. After the event was over the 6th- through 8th-graders used the castle for a school dance. The two kindergarten classes enjoyed dancing around the Maypole on May Day.

What a gorgeous day for the May 4 Rotary Art Show! As usual there were throngs of people attending the popular annual event. It was 7-month-old Katherine Jane Sams' first one. Someone remarked she was a picture of art herself in her blue suit and sailor hat.

[ Back to Contents Page | Saratoga News Home Page | Archives ]