PANAMA CITY — More than 250 women gained a few tools to help balance work and life Friday.
“I just started a business three months ago, I’m a very shy person, so I needed this to help me know how to sell myself,” said first time Women’s Symposium attendee Silvia Williams, of Port St. Joe. “I left feeling more confident, knowing a few more tactics and how to sell myself.”
Hosted by the Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce, the sold-out fifth annual Women’s Symposium attracted women from across the region and featured guest speakers from across the nation, including Mayor of Riverdale, Ga. Evelyn Wynn-Dixon, author and financial advisor Victoria Woods and Jan McInnis, a comedian and writer.
Emerald Coast Hospice sponsored the all-day event.
Wine tasting, a shopping showcase, break out sessions, door prizes, do-it-yourself workshops and free gifts were made available to women of all ages from all walks of life at the event.
“It’s helping women find that perfect work-life balance and empowering them to become the best version of themselves,” said Lauren Williams, the chamber’s communications director. “We were thrilled to be able give our local women a great event and give back to our community.”
Sharon Owens, director of nonprofit organization Health Start, has attended the event annually since its inception.
“It’s really uplifting, kind of like a motivational speaking conference,” Owens said, adding she believes a similar conference should be held for men, as well.
“Every single speaker was able to contribute something in a different area of life,” said events director Catherine Collins. “All of that is information you can use at home and at work and become a happier, healthier person.”
The symposium stressed wisdom, creativity and good sense of humor as ways to help overcome life’s hardships.
“We got YouTube, Comedy Central — the old laughing channel,” comedian Jan McInnis told the audience. “We don’t have another channel devoted to just an emotion do we?”
“Well, Lifetime, the old crying channel,” she responded to herself, drawing laughter and applause.
Laughter makes you creative, she added. “What does it feel like when you laugh? Doesn’t it make you feel better? Energized? I think the fact that we have so much humor these days, people finally realize that we need to use it.”