DALAI LAMA TO SPEAK AT WOMEN'S CONFERENCE
By Carla M. Collado
gazettes.com
September 7, 2006
Original LinkThe thousands of people who gather in Long Beach for the 20th annual California Governor and First Lady’s Conference on Women seeking inspiration and empowerment this month may find it in the words of one of the world’s most respected spiritual leaders -- the Dalai Lama.
First Lady Maria Shriver met the Nobel Peace Prize winner on a trip to North India in early August and invited him to speak at the conference.
“We’re very, very excited to have him as a speaker,” said Erin Stein, conference executive director. “It serves to connect women here to a world-renowned leader and speaker they probably would never have an opportunity to hear. It’s historical in a certain way.”
The Sept. 26 conference, themed “Connect Today, Seize Tomorrow,” aims to connect women and empower them to become architects of change in their lives and the lives of others, according to an event spokesperson. Organizers said they expect about 11,000 people to attend.
In addition to Shriver and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the list of speakers and panelists at the event includes Martha Stewart, Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson, Tyra Banks, Tim Russert, Maureen Dowd, Anna Quindlen, Suze Orman and Elle Macpherson.
Some of the topics they will touch upon are overcoming personal obstacles, balancing your career and life, achieving financial independence and making compassion a cornerstone principle in life, Stein said.
“It’s the idea that if women are given the chance to connect to each other, to share powerful life lessons,” the conference spokesperson said, “they’ll be encouraged and motivated to seize tomorrow and pursue goals that once seemed out of reach.”
The Dalai Lama will give a 30-minute speech starting at 5 p.m., take questions from the audience and then lead the crowd in a brief meditation.
“I have always believed that women have a unique role in society,” the Dalai Lama said in a release. “Women have a special capacity to lead us to a more peaceful world with compassion, affection and kindness. And there is no more important time for that than this moment.”
The Dalai Lama was born Tenzin Gyatso in 1935 in northeastern Tibet. At the age of 2, he was recognized as the reincarnation of his predecessor -- Tibetans believe the Dalai Lamas are the manifestations of the Buddha of Compassion. He assumed his role as the 14th Dalai Lama at age 16, and went into exile in India in 1959.
In another highlight of the conference, Shriver will hand out the third annual Minerva Awards. Created by Shriver, the awards recognize women who have made an impact on the state by serving others. Six women will be honored with the award at the conference.
A Volunteer Village at the conference also will feature more than 40 community-based nonprofits connecting event goers to volunteer opportunities across the state.
Stein said it’s all part of Shriver’s ongoing mission.
“It’s consistent with Maria and her role in the world of connecting people and information,” Stein said, “(inspiring them) to be their best selves, move their voices and use them. I think that will resonate with men and women throughout the state and beyond.”
The Conference on Women will take place Sept. 26 at the Long Beach Convention Center. Although general session tickets already are sold out, organizers announced they will sell a limited number of “afternoon-only session” tickets for the upper sections of the arena.
These include admission into the Exhibit Hall from 3 to 4:30 p.m. and into the concluding session from 4:30 to 6 p.m.
The went on sale at 9 a.m. Wednesday. If any are left, cost is $40 each and they can be bought at:
http://www.CaliforniaWomen.org
Parts of the conference will be broadcast on cable TV and on the conference’s Web site.
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