Conference aimed at empowering women

By Ann Miller
Advertiser Staff Writer

"Exercising Power," a daylong conference "Celebrating the University of Hawai'i Community of Women in Mind, Body and Spirit," will be Wednesday at the UH Campus Center.

The conference is part of the 30th anniversary celebration of Rainbow Wahine Athletics. It is for UH faculty, staff and students and also is open to the public.

"Anyone interested in making their life better can come," said Marilyn Moniz-Kaho'ohanohano, UH assistant athletic director and conference coordinator. "It is to empower, encourage and inspire UH women, and celebrate their accomplishments of the last 30 years — and empower them to help make this university great.

"It's also to work on mind, body and spirit — help them have a healthy lifestyle and happy life (and) be a leader in whichever area they choose."

The keynote speaker will be Mariah Burton Nelson, a Stanford basketball player in the 1970s and author of four books, including "The Stronger Women Get, the More Men Love Football." Nelson has been a guest on "Today," "Good Morning America," "Larry King Live" and "Dateline NBC" and is president of the National Speakers Association/ Washington D.C. area.

Nelson will speak on "The Champion Within i Bringing Out the Best in Each Other."

Other speakers include:

• Congresswoman Patsy Mink, who will give an update on the Title IX legislation she co-wrote;
• My Lein Nguyen, on behalf of the UH Center on Disability Studies;
• Rainbow Wahine volleyball coach Dave Shoji, on "The Women in My Life."

There will also be panels on mentoring — with a group of UH coaches led by UH-Hilo athletic director Kathy McNally — and power and networking. That panel will be facilitated by Dr. Belinda Aquino and include Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono, Linda Lingle, and Advertiser columnist Lee Cataluna.

The conference will go from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Conference fees range from $5 to $20, with UH students free. For information and to register, call the UH Conference Center at 956-8204. Information is also available at uhathletics.hawaii.edu.