Seen in the Press
Women to walk toward self improvement
Erica Christoffer, Sun Newspapers Thursday, January 19, 2006
Whether looking to better one's professional or personal life, Patsy Keech suggests women take a walk in other women's shoes.
Keech, Dakota County Technical College (DCTC) customized training coordinator and a South St. Paul resident, has helped organize the upcoming Walk of Women, a two-day event for women who want to learn more about themselves and improve their personal and professional skills.
"This event is perfect for women who love to learn," Keech said. "Women can be inspired by stories of other women's lives."
Walk of Women will take place Feb. 24 and 25 at the Business and Entrepreneurship Institute in the Higher Education Center, 14200 Cedar Ave., Apple Valley.
"As a college we have an obligation to educate our staff, our students and the community. We have an obligation to create opportunities that allows education in a variety of different forms," Keech said.
The event is limited to 200 participants and Keech recommends that women register early as space is filling up. The first 100 Walk of Women registrants will receive a WOW bag filled with free gifts from local businesses and institutions.
Walk of Women takes three tracks including "Powerwalking," "Imprinting" and "Dancing."
"This is designed especially for women and the way they think and the way they learn," Keech said.
Powerwalking breakout sessions address the professional skills for women who are looking to advance their career. Participants can choose from a variety of sessions, including Ethical Team Building in Difficult Times, Blurring the Diversity Lines of Gender, Generation, Socio-economic and Race, How to Negotiate Like a Man, Applying Leadership in the Real World, Powerful Presentations - Communicating for Impact, Leadership Logic to Life, Work, Family and Community and Using a Coach in Your Professional Life.
"We have so many topics that will inspire, empower, encourage women to make more intentional decisions," Keech said.
Imprinting sessions courage women to leave their imprint through social, community and cultural change. Topics for this track include: The Hidden Work of Child Labor - Out of Site Out of Mind, Spanish in the Workplace, Using Herbs to Heal, Finding Your True Self "A Vision Quest to Self-Discovery," What is "Fair Trade?" The Benefits of Buying Organic, What's Happening Behind Closed Doors - Domestic Abuse and Suburban Meth Use, and Coaching for Personal Growth.
Dancing sessions are all about a woman's need for movement, personal growth and focus. Women can attend breakout sessions touching on What's Your Money Personality, Develop Trust in Your Inner Wisdom, Prosperity is More than Money, Power Tool Basics, The Independent Traveler, Tile with Mary, Golfing for Life, Manifesting, Car Buying Basics, and Making Memories: Photos You'll Love.
Each course is 75 minutes and women can select which sessions to attend.
Keech said she is looking forward to inspiring women through the Walk of Women symposium.
"Really accomplished women are leading these," Keech said.
Two such speakers, Dawn Talbert and Suzanne Sheridan, will lead "The Independent Traveler," teaching women how to travel the world on their own. Both women grew up in Rosemount and will share their photos and stories from more than 20 countries.
"Maybe women will all of a sudden be empowered to travel by themselves," Keech said.
Apple Valley Mayor Mary Hamann-Roland will kick off the event as the keynote speaker Friday morning.
On Saturday, a panel discussion, "Women Overcoming Obstacles and Obtaining Victory," will feature a variety of women, including humanitarian Dr. Jan Thatcher Adams, traveler Anne Darnay, and Doris Hoel who is the owner of Chateau Lamothe in Burnsville.
"These women will be telling their stories about obstacles they've had to overcome," Keech said. "I love this panel discussion because women will have an opportunity to hear women just like them.
"I'm honored that DCTC has allowed me the opportunity to grow this type of forum for education," Keech said.
Women can register online at www.walkofwomen.com or call Keech at 651-423-8607. Participants are also invited to purchase raffle tickets online. All proceeds from the Walk of Women raffle will be donated to Spare Key, which provides grants to Minnesota families with critically ill children.