The LACOE Women’s Empowerment Conference was created for networking and sharing accomplishments, stories and experiences among a diverse group of women leaders and included numerous student and intern guests who were invited by their mentors to empower passionate young women aspiring to be leaders, the event was attended by educators, business and non-profit leaders, elected officials, students and community members. 

More than 250 attendees took part in a program highlighted by Los Angeles County Board of Supervisor Holly Mitchell's keynote speech, inspiring remarks by L.A. County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Debra Duardo and Dr. Duardo's mentor Patti Giggans, who shared their powerful stories of overcoming immense personal and professional challenges to achieve success.  The event also featured workshops designed to inspire and motivate attendees to achieve their goals and overcome personal and professional challenges.    

"The LACOE Women's Empowerment Conference brought a very special group of educators, students, business and non-profit leaders, elected officials, and community members together to share, learn and grow professionally and personally, and the program's speakers, performers and workshops clearly achieved our goal," said Dr. Duardo. "This was a uniquely inspiring and motivating event that also supported and empowered many young women who aspire to be leaders invited by their mentors to take part in the event." 

The event included a report on the status of women and girls in California by Dr. Ann McElaney-Johnson, President of Mount St. Mary’s University, performances by students from Los Angeles County High School for the Arts and workshops focused on the art of negotiation, personal branding, social justice, self-care, women ally-ship, networking and self-care.  

“Thank you to the Los Angeles County Office of Education for inviting me to speak at your Women’s Leadership and Empowerment Conference,” said Supervisor Mitchell in her social media post after the event. “It was inspiring to discuss the theme of accepting challenges as an opportunity to create a better future. Events like this remind us that we each have the power to help remove barriers and mentor the next generation of leaders.”  

Event sponsors included California Credit Union, the Greater LA Education Foundation and Homegirl Industries,