Texas Conference for Women

Infobox Organization
name = Texas Conference for Women


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formation = 2000
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purpose = Women organization
headquarters = Austin, Texas
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language = English
leader_title = Official hosts
leader_name =Rick Perry
Anita Perry
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website = [http://www.txconferenceforwomen.org/ TXConferenceForWomen.org]
remarks =The Texas Conference for Women is a nonprofit, nonpartisan leadership conference for women of all ages and backgrounds. The first annual conference was held in 2000 in Austin, Texas. Governor Rick Perry and First Lady Anita Perry are the official hosts of the event, which has featured keynote speakers including Dr. Maya Angelou, poet, author, educator and historian; Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, writer and family health advocate; Ann Richards, former Governor of Texas; Carly Fiorina, former CEO of HP; Maria Hinojosa, Emmy-nominated journalist and author; and Melinda French Gates, co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Traditionally, the conference has attracted a sold-out crowd of more than 7,500 women.

The one-day event consists of keynote addresses and breakout sessions lead by experts in the fields of business, philanthropy, health, finance, media and professional development. Attendees learn new communication skills, leadership strategies and work/life balance tools designed to enhance their professional and personal growth.

For the first eight years the executive forum was held at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. On October 16, 2008, the conference will be held in Houston at the George L. Brown Convention Center. Tickets are sold online via the conference Web site.

The Texas Conference for Women Scholarship Program awards six $5,000 scholarships to qualified college women who balance academics, service and leadership to make a difference in the community. The scholarships are awarded in the fields of arts, business, education, math and science, public service and nursing at institutions of higher education in Texas.

Past speakers

2007Carly Fiorina,
Nancy Giles,
Elizabeth Vargas,
Mary Wilson,

2006
Yolanda Adams,Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker ,Johnnetta Betsch Cole, Ph.D.,Martha Stewart,

2005Dr. Maya Angelou,Sarah Ferguson,Melinda Gates,Maria Hinojosa,

2004Jennifer Berman, M.D.,Laura Berman, LSCW, Ph.D.,Kathleen Daelemans,Rend Rahim Francke,Sara Martinez Tucker,

2003
Lindy Boggs,
Vonetta Flowers,
Karen Hughes,
Cokie Roberts,Rebecca Roberts,

2002
Bertice Berry, Ph.D.,
Ruth J. Simmons, Ph.D.,
Helen Thomas,

2001Bertice Berry, Ph.D.,Nely Galan,
Mae Jemison,
Geraldine Laybourne,Ann W. Richards,

2000Christine Haubegger,
Pat Mitchell,
Condoleezza Rice,

External links

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