Junior League passionate about women's conference

Junior League of Honolulu — one of the oldest women’s organizations in town — is doing something different, modern, cutting edge.

HerStory Marcia Wieder is seen as a "passion expert." Conference on women’s concerns 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday Ko‘olau Golf Club $65, includes lunch 946-6466; fax, 949-4617

HerStory is the first women’s conference of its kind in Hawai‘i; co-chairwoman Melissa Ching Benjamin has been developing the concept for nearly three years.

"My sense is that women (in Hawai‘i) may be less willing to give themselves permission to come together and address the things that interest them," Ching Benjamin said. "They’re very much into doing things for their families and their children. Our needs, our interests and our goals for ourselves get buried in all of that.

"The vision for this conference is that we are all very much concerned with the same things. Women’s lives are holistic. We’re all trying to do a lot of things at once."

Consequently, finding balance in life is a constant challenge for women. HerStory headline speaker Marcia Wieder helps people achieve this balance — by first helping them reignite their passion.

"I talk to people about using passion as a barometer for saying no, thank you," said Wieder in a phone interview from San Francisco. "When we have choices, we can clear some space in our lives."

Wieder, who is known as "a passion expert," speaks to groups all over the world about "getting in touch with the fire inside your own belly." She has written three books and been a guest on "Oprah" and "The Today Show." PBS also featured her national television special — based on one of her books — entitled "Making Your Dreams Come True."

"When we have passion, we have more energy and enthusiasm and vitality," she said. "A passionate life is bringing more of what you love into your everyday life. My thing is about dreams, which are creative and spacious. They are the expression of your heart and soul, and people have dreams in all areas of life.

"I think what people really like about my message is that it’s very whole-brained. I encourage people to be both creative and practical. If you just put your dream on your to-do list, it’s probably never going to happen."

One of the conference’s goals is to use this holistic approach to help women, Ching Benjamin said. The concurrent sessions and panels reflect the myriad of choices that women face every day. The morning lineup includes fostering community leadership, creating a life plan and learning to use money effectively rather than emotionally.

The afternoon focuses on incorporating traditional and complementary medicine into our healthcare system. Panelists include Dr. Ed Cadman, dean of the University of Hawai‘i John A. Burns School of Medicine, and Dr. Terry Shintani, director of Preventive and Integrative Medicine at the Wai‘anae Coast Comprehensive Health Center. Among other selections for the 90-minute afternoon session: redefining success for women, and women, technology and the new economy.

"There are a variety of things that might appeal to a real cross-section of women," said Junior League of Honolulu president Helen MacNeil, who hopes for 400 attendees at HerStory. "Our purpose was to offer an array of activities without making it too lengthy."

MacNeil, Wieder and Ching Benjamin said they believe this conference will provide women with a new support system for their dreams and visions.

"My experience is that we’re really ready for new dreams," Wieder said. "A lot of us are really good at dreaming for other people. This event can invite people to stop and look at what’s really working and where they can make some changes. I think this can be a really action-oriented day for many people."

Ching Benjamin foresees this. And much more.

"I hope that women who go to the conference come away with either new information or new perspectives that will inspire them to go out and make their own lives better or their community better," Ching Benjamin said. "I also hope they will feel a sense of support, and get rejuvenated and refreshed by being with other women."

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