Celebrating Women’s Roles
San Diego Women’s Week 2015
In her new book, “New Rules of the Game: 10 Strategies for Women in the Workplace,” Susan Packard, co-founder of HGTV, shows how women can achieve their career goals using techniques of what she calls “gamesmanship.”
You hear that expression often in the gaming and sports worlds. But Packard defines it as a strategic way of thinking that cultivates creativity, focus, optimism, teamwork and competitiveness. Women, she says, can use these skills to compete successfully in the business world.
Packard is one of several notable female trailblazers who will offer their views on women’s empowerment at this year’s San Diego Women’s Week, a five-day conference sponsored by the North San Diego Business Chamber March 16-20.
Akiko Mikamo
Another conference speaker will be Akiko Mikamo, winner of the 2014 International Peace Prize and president of San Diego-WISH (Worldwide Initiative to Safeguard Humanity.
Mikamo was born in Hiroshima, Japan. Both her parents were about half a mile from the epicenter of the atomic bomb explosion in World War II and miraculously survived.
Having been raised in Hiroshima City by the atomic bomb survivors and with a disabled older sister, she became determined in her childhood to contribute to world peace and humanity.
Mikamo is a clinical, forensic, and sport psychologist as well as an executive coach and educator. She is the author of “Rising from the Ashes: A True Story of Survival and Forgiveness from Hiroshima.”
Also in headlining roles:
Gretchen Rubin
Gretchen Rubin is the author of several books, including the No. 1 New York Times and international bestseller, “The Happiness Project” — an account of the year she spent test-driving the wisdom of the ages, the current scientific studies, and the lessons from popular culture about how to be happier.
“The Happiness Project” has sold more than 1million copies, has been published in more than 30 languages, and spent more than two years on the New York Times bestseller list.
In the book, Rubin explores how to make home a happier place by concentrating on the factors that matter most for home, such as possessions, marriage, time, parenthood, body, neighborhood.
Rubin’s interest in happiness led her to the study of habits, because when she talked to people about their happiness challenges, they often pointed to a habit that they couldn’t make or break. This pattern made her ask, “When and why can people successfully change a habit—or not?”
In her current book, “Better Than Before” (forthcoming 2015), she investigates the multiple strategies she’s identified that help us make and break our habits. When we change our habits, she says, we change our lives.
Naomi Tutu
The challenges of growing up black and female in apartheid South Africa have been the foundation of Nontombi Naomi Tutu’s life as an activist for human rights. Those experiences taught her that our whole human family loses when we accept situations of oppression, and how the teaching and preaching of hate and division injure us all. In her speeches she blends this passion for human dignity with humor and personal stories.
Tutu is the third child of Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Nomalizo Leah Tutu. She was born in South Africa and had the opportunity to live in many communities and countries. She was educated in Swaziland, the U.S., and England, and has divided her adult life between South Africa and the U.S. Growing up the “daughter of…” has offered Naomi Tutu many opportunities and challenges in her life. Most important of these has been the challenge to follow her own path and role in building a better world. She has taken up the challenge and channeled the opportunities she has been given to raise her voice as a champion for the dignity of all.
Her professional experience ranges from being a development consultant in West Africa to being program coordinator for programs on race and gender and gender-based violence in education at the African Gender Institute at the University of Cape Town. In addition Tutu has taught at the University of Hartford, University of Connecticut, and Brevard College in North Carolina. She served as program coordinator for the historic Race Relations Institute at Fisk University, and was a part of the Institute’s delegation to the World Conference Against Racism in Durban.
Accolades
This year’s Women’s Week comes off a highly successful conference last year, which brought many accolades from attendees. “The Friday Inspiration Conference was amazing! Each of the speakers moved me in different ways as they shared such powerful stories. I look forward to this year’s event,”
said Stacy Kadrich of Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Centers.
Said Lori Ann Stevens of Turner Construction Co. “I brought many women from my office to the final day of Women’s Week last year. After listening to Elizabeth Smart, Kim Coles and Tanya Brown, I could not imagine a better day for the women of San Diego.”
San Diego Women’s Week Schedule
MONDAY, March 16 — Opening Day
Location: Rancho Bernardo Inn
Hours: noon — 8 p.m.
Tickets $30 in advance $40 at the door.
Military and students with ID, free
Keynote Speakers:
Tanya Brown, Seven Sneaky Characters of Abuse
Kristen Kavanaugh, Standing up for Your Values and Being Successful
Mallika Chopra, Living with Intent
Breakout Sessions
12:30 p.m. Taking Control of Your Health
1 p.m. Empowering Yourself to Be A Leader of Change
1:30 p.m. Powerful Impact of Engaging In Your Community
2 p.m. Why are Girls Falling Prey to the Bad Boys
2:30 p.m. Navigate Networking with Confidence
3 p.m. Money Matters: Smart Credit Decisions
3:30 p.m. 7 Sneaky Characters of Abuse
4 p.m. 10 Steps to Financial Success
4:30 p.m. Standing UP For What You Believe in
5 p.m. Planning for Life Changes
5:30 p.m. Standing up to a Bully
6 p.m. Money: Friend or Foe
6:30 p.m. Living with Intent 7:00 p.m.
7: Fashion Show
TUESDAY, March 17 — Leaders of Change Luncheon
Location: Del Mar Country Club
Hours: 11:30 a.m. —1:30 p.m.
Tickets $59 in advance No tickets at the Door
Speaker: Naomi Tutu, daughter of Arch Bushop Desmond Tutu.
“The Responsibility of Being Human”
WEDNESDAY, March 18 — Women and Wine Networking
Location: Bernardo Winery, 13330 Paseo del Verano Norte, San Diego
Time: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Tickets $35 in advance, $45 at the door
Join over 300 women for an interactive night of wine, savory and sweet food pairings, live music, and unique shopping. Share the experience of pairing specialty appetizers with Bernardo Wines while enjoying the history and charm of this 126-year-old property. Throughout the night you will visit five interactive pairing stations where you will receive appetizers, wine and the opportunity to win prizes, such as a Tour and Tasting for eight, wine and chocolate pairing, gift baskets, and much more.
THURSDAY, March 19 — Health, Beauty, Fashion, Fitness
Location: Sharp Healthcare, 8695 Spectrum Center Blvd., San Diego
Hours: 6 to 8 p.m.
Tickets: $35 advance / $45 at the door
NBC 7 San Diego News Anchor Catherine Garcia moderates a panel of Sharp Healthcare experts who will discuss women’s health issues. Also, a local stylist and image consultant shares the latest fashion tips from a local stylist and image consultant. Enjoy light appetizers and beverages, music, swag bag, an exhibitor expo and more.
Schedule:
6 p.m. — Check-in and registration, meet and greet with Sharp Rees-Stealy physicians, music, light appetizers and exhibits
6:30 p.m. — Fashion tips: Take your professional wear from daytime to evening.
6:55 p.m. —Feature program: Health panel includes experts in OB/GYN, urology, family medicine, cardiology, dermatology, musculoskeletal medicine, nutrition, and Sharp Health Plan.
7:55-8 p.m. — Event closing remarks.
FRIDAY, March 20 — San Diego Women’s Empowerment Conference
Location: San Diego Marriott La Jolla, 4240 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla
