At Women Striving For Success Conference, Hopes Of Female Governor, Other Leadership Roles

ST.  THOMAS — On Friday, October 30, hundreds of women from here, St. John, St. Croix and the British Virgin Islands gathered at the Marriott Frenchman’s Reef Resort Ballroom for the “I’ve Got This! Conference”, sponsored by Women Striving for Success, Incorporated.

That’s according to a press release Senator  Janette Millin Young’s office issued on Tuesday, stating that the event, the third annual, was a success.

According to the release, the conference brought together several prominent Virgin Islands women leaders, including Senator Nellie O’Reilly, Congressional Delegate Stacey Plaskett, Commissioners Beverly Nicholson Doty and Katherine Hendry, and Chief Virgin Islands District Court Judge Wilma A. Lewis as part of the organization’s women’s empowerment initiatives. This year’s conference goal was to create a strong network of professionals who are economic drivers in their community.

Sen. Millin Young, the 31st Legislature’s vice president, serves as president and founder of Women Striving for Success. The lawmaker welcomed conference attendees with a song titled “Strength of a Woman”, sung by Shaggy, being played in the background.

“Women have been living in silos, and there are rumors that women do not support women. Not the women in this room,” Ms. Millin Young declared.

Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett brought greetings from the United States Congress, “There is an assault on women in Washington, and on the things we care about. By women coming together and pushing back we can grow amongst each other and build each other up,” she said.

Jennifer Matarangas-King, Innovative’s vice president, reflected on how much the conference has grown.

“Last year there were a number of people who had business ideas, and this year they are here representing their business,” Mrs. Matarangas-King said.

Conference attendees were given the opportunity to discuss what their legacy would be, what they would like to read about women’s accomplishments in the territory in three years and what the headline would be upon their retirement, the release further stated.

Several women stood up and made their declarations. Some wanted more women in the banking industry, more mentoring programs for young women, programs to save the territory’s sons, a reduction in crime, women excelling in science, technology, engineering and math, and women serving as governors.

Agenda topics included: “Confidence Building: Pursuing Your Passion,” presented by Charlene Kehoe of the Cancer Support Fund, “Becoming an Entrepreneurial Employee,” presented by Juliette Bynum of Select Temp Staffing and Business Center, LLC, “Conflict Management as an Instrument of Self-Empowerment,” presented by Lisa Aqui of LCA Partnershhips, LLC, keynote luncheon speaker Tourism Commissioner Beverly Nicholson-Doty spoke on “Building Expertise in a Competitive Market,” “Rockin the Rock in a Digital World,” business promotion and image using social media, presented by viNGN President Dr. Tonjia Coverdale, a panel discussion moderated by Asiah Clendinen, “From Ordinary to Extra-Ordinary”- panelists: Judge Wilma Lewis, Soraya Diase Coffelt, Jennifer Matarangas-King and Keisha Prince, “Retirement Planning Guideline. Ladies, Do You Know Your Options?,” presented by Susan McFarland. There was a sweet break and silent auction.

President Millin Young said the third annual event exceeded all expectations and noted that plans are underway to make next year’s conference bigger and better. She also encouraged attendees to join Women Striving for Success and become active members, the release concluded.