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Michelle Poler, founder of the social movement Hello Fears, dances in front of the crowd as she takes the stage before her presentation, “Fear Less: Do More.” Photo by Ty Wright

A small gathering held in recognition of Women’s History Month in 2006 evolved into a celebrated 91̽�� tradition that draws hundreds of attendees and renowned speakers from around the country.

The 12^th annual Celebrate Women Conference was held at the 91̽�� Lancaster Campus on March 23, drawing more than 400 attendees. The theme, “Recognizing Our Superpowers,” aimed at challenging attendees to reflect on their inherent powers that can ignite change in their communities and in their own lives.

“At Celebrate Women, we spent the day networking, learning, sharing, and participating in a wonderful sisterhood that builds connection – that is our superpower,” said Pamela Kaylor, PHD ’02 and Celebrate Women 2018 co-chair.

The 2018 conference invited participants to channel their inner Wonder Woman. The Conference’s theme took inspiration from the year 2017, which saw a surge of women engage as leaders, activists, and successful professionals. For example, reported that the number of women CEOs on the Fortune 500 ranking has increased by more than 50 percent, a new record.

Columbus NBC4 news anchor Colleen Marshall addresses the crowd during the Celebrate Women Conference’s luncheon keynote, “Standing Up for Your Story.” Photo by Ty Wright

After attending the 2017 Women’s March in Washington, D.C., Lancaster community members Penelope LaRock, BSED ’74, and Debby Stein made a point to attend the conference.

“It is amazing to hear what we have been advocating for in the last 50 years about women’s issues, and also to meet young women who are going to take care of the things we have fought for our entire lives,” said LaRock.

Stein is proud that Lancaster, Ohio, can be a platform for events like this. “These outstanding speakers who have so much vitality provide insights for me, my children, my grandchildren and the generations of women to come.”

The conference’s morning keynote presentation, “Superpowers and Social Change: How and Why Representation Matters for Gender Equity and Equality,” was presented by Carolyn Cocca, professor of politics and law at State University of New York at Old Westbury and author of “Superwomen: Gender, Power, and Representation.”

Cocca led a discussion on the misrepresentation of superheroes over the last 75 years, proposing they embody the inequalities of gender, race, ethnicity, class, sexuality and ability. She noted some progress has been made over time and explored the power that authentic and diverse representation can demonstrate to everyday women, proving that they, too, can be a hero.

“We need to produce media that accurately represents the spectrum of humanity,” Cocca said. “It’s easier to imagine yourself as a hero if you see someone that looks like you. Certain groups are overrepresented in comparison to their real numbers in the population, just as they are in politics and leadership positions.”

Bobbi Payne, a chiropractor and founder of Buckeye Weight Loss, led “Energizing Ergonomics: An Interactive Session About Adding Energy to Your Life.” The session focused on techniques for positive self-talk and self-care to help overcome fears with confidence.

She encouraged women to be in control in their life, to “protect your own energy and to take more time for yourself, because if you don’t make yourself a priority, no one will,” she said.

Michelle Poler, founder of Hello Fears, gave the conference’s keynote address. Hello Fears began when Poler challenged herself to face 100 of her fears over a period of 100 days, while at the same time filming and sharing every experience on YouTube. This personal development project now encourages audiences around the globe to look squarely at their fears. Her work has been featured on CNN, Buzzfeed, Huffington Post, and the Rachael Ray Show, among other media platforms. She took to the TEDx stage in 2015, thus facing her 100th fear.

“Courage begins with the will to think about the best-case scenario,” Poler said. “Courage is contagious. My question for you is, ‘what will you get uncomfortable for?’ Make uncomfort your new best friend. The enemy of success is not failure, it is comfort.”

Emmy Award-winning journalist and co-anchor for NBC4 Columbus News Colleen Marshall spoke to attendees about using their voice as their superpower. Marshall reflected on losing her mother to Alzheimer’s disease and how it inspired her to use her voice to carry on the legacy of those who are gone.

“You take what life gives you, you find your voice and you take action,” Marshall said. “We all have a gift, we all have a voice. If we have the confidence to find it, we all have a superpower.”

Other topics offered at the Celebrate Women Conference covered methods of treatment for PTSD, prison reform, entrepreneurship, women in poverty, philanthropy, mindfulness and self-defense.

For her part, Diana Buchert, BSC ’19, a first-time attendee at the Celebrate Women Conference, said she attended to join a community that is committed to the empowerment of women as leaders.

“I want to learn what it takes to be a good leader or future mentor,” Buchert said.