On Saturday, May 7, the first Woman-to-Woman Conference hosted by the Eupora Main Street Association brought more than 50 women from across Mississippi to the Eupora Civic Center for a day of inspiration, relaxation and celebration.
Four dynamic speakers — all women and from Eupora — shared their insights on a variety of topics focused on physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health and wellness.
Keynote Dale Smith Thomas, best-selling author, international motivational speaker and president and founder of Winners by Choice, spoke for the first time to a crowd in her hometown. She challenged the audience to embrace her definition of hope, “helping other people excel,” while also providing insight and practical tips on how women can reduce the negative in their lives in order to embrace and be empowered by the positive.
Mandy Conrad, registered dietitian and instructor in Mississippi State University’s Department of Food Science, Nutrition and Health Promotion, dug into the science behind how our emotions and behaviors influence the choices we make when it comes to nutrition. Conrad also presented a plan for making nutrition an easy lifestyle change.
Traci Rico Holloway, healthy lifestyle speaker, shared her story of choosing faith over fear, demonstrating how honoring your relationship with God, getting out of your comfort zone and changing your outlook and reaction to fear can pave the way to living a fuller, more intentional life.
Kitty Dumas, manager of the Ryder Charitable Foundation, the corporate giving arm of Ryder Systems Inc., an $8.9 billion dollar Fortune 500 leader, revealed the seven characteristics of phenomenal women. One trait — how phenomenal women impact other women — was brought home on a personal level, as Dumas recognized Susan Edwards, a retired Eupora High School teacher who was in the crowd. Dumas said Edwards encouraged her to become a writer and fulfill her dreams, and Dumas has done just that with more than 30 years of experience in communication including experience as a journalist on the national stage.
Lyn Blaylock, president of the Main Street Association, said the event demonstrated the need for community and collaboration for women in Eupora and across the state.
“Women rarely take time for themselves. This past Mother’s Day weekend, we flipped the script and showed women the importance of carving out time for inspiration and fellowship. For us to excel in the myriad roles society asks of us — mother, wife, corporate leader, teacher, caregiver and so much more, we need to make sure we have the spiritual, emotional, physical and mental fuel to thrive. This event, with these world-class speakers — all women and all from Eupora — gave us just that.
“This first Woman-to-Woman Conference bought home the importance of women helping, supporting and encouraging other women. It also reminded us how vital it is to share our problems and difficulties with other women so we can all realize we’re in this together. This conference provided the platform and tools that showed women how to embrace their true selves, stop comparing themselves to others and realize how much strength can be found in community,” Blaylock continued.
Event sponsors included Bank of Kilmichael, Murphy Medical, Belinda Stewart Architects, PA, and Eupora New Century Club.
“There is no way we could have put this on without the help of our sponsors,” Blaylock emphasized.
The event also included shopping booths of women-owned businesses such as Sara’s Flower Shop, Our Story Candles, Blue Boutique, Teacups and Tulips and Gloria Jean’s Candles. Local massage therapist Jessica Hawk offered free massages and North Mississippi Medical Center-Eupora provided health screenings.
Door prizes totaling more than $1,500 including $500 in cash were given away. Door prize sponsors included the Eupora Main Street Association, Lyn and Stan Blaylock, Murphy Medical, Haley and Michael Murphy, Belinda Stewart Architects, PA, Nabors Home Center, Blue Boutique, Teacups and Tulips, Gloria Jean’s Candles, Little Birdie Pillows, Cummings Woodworking and Dale Smith Thomas. The Eupora Main Street Association sends a heartfelt thanks to Rachel Barnett, Anita Goodrum and Cathy Embry for decorating and cleaning after the event. The EMSA Event Committee consists of Vanessa Beeson, Jawanza Ellis, Haley Murphy, Gina Brown, Carlee Peterson, Essie Austin, Anita Goodrum and Lyn Blaylock.
