2nd Annual Women's Leadership Conference

Shapiro Urges Women to Accept Leadership Roles

More than 300 students and faculty and staff members gathered Friday, Feb. 15, 2008 to hear Texas State Sen. Florence Shapiro speak at the University's second annual Women’s Leadership Conference.

 

The daylong, student-led event, which featured breakout sessions, table “topic talks” and a panel discussion, focused on helping young women prepare for leadership roles.

 

“I'm honored to be here with such an amazing group of young, bright, eager and smart women — to learn about leadership skills, and to talk about what it takes to lead a city, a school or a business,” Shapiro said.

 

“Women now have roles in government at the local, regional and national level. Indeed, we have come a long way.”

 

The Plano senator urged the audience to accept the challenge of helping their communities.

 

“Our challenges today are not more difficult, they're just more diverse,” Shapiro said.

 

“Therefore, we need dedicated young people involved in community service. Our call to action should be, ‘Yes I can, yes I will, yes I should be a participant in my community.’ ”

 

Other guests invited to the conference included Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez, Plano Mayor Pat Evans and Texas Instruments Vice President Shaunna F. Black.

 

The Women’s Leadership Conference provides a powerful opportunity for UT Dallas students to come together to make connections, learn strategies for overcoming the barriers that persist for women leaders, and develop ways to move innovative ideas into creative action.

A variety of topics that encompass the issues women encounter will be discussed in this day long event. Topics include ethics in leadership, character and competencies of a leader, styles of leadership, the purpose of leadership and opportunities in leadership.