It was a day for women to spend entirely on themselves. Women from Barrhead, Westlock, Onoway, and other surrounding areas indulged in Time for You: Women Matter.
A total of 90 women registered for the conference, which worked to bring women together to learn, grow, and relax. The event hosted 21 session leaders, all local individuals sharing their knowledge on an array of topics.
After a successful second year in Barrhead, Westlock will be hosting the Women’s Wellness conference in 2014.
When planning for the event in 2012 began, Women’s Wellness Committee member Brenda Dahlseide said the committee knew from the beginning they wanted to host the event in Barrhead for just two years.
“Then it doesn’t get to be routine, so it’s still special,” said Dahlseide. “They announced at the conference that Westlock would be doing it next year.”
Holding the event in Westlock opens participation to other towns like Athabasca, said Dahlseide. There is the possibility of the event alternating between the Barrhead and Westlock eventually, but nothing is set in stone at this point.
This year the conference, which was deemed a success, began with a continental breakfast prepared by the Meadowview 4-H Club members. Afterwards the ladies had the opportunity to hear from an energetic key speaker: Patricia Morgan.
Morgan spoke on three easy ways to strengthen your resilience. Cath Thorlakson, chair of the Women’s Wellness Committee, said Morgan put out a huge amount of energy when she spoke throughout the day.
“She spoke one hour in the morning, a breakout session in the afternoon, and did a wrap up on top of that,” said Thorlakson. “She brought years of experience working with people into what she had to say.”
What Morgan said was very well received, added Thorlakson. She was lively, vivacious, and able to keep the ladies engaged with her for the duration of her speaking sessions.
“At the end they actually gave her a standing ovation,” said Thorlakson.
Overall, Thorlakson said she thought the day was an extremely positive experience for those involved. Looking at the evaluation forms, there was no negativity across the board.
“There were some really great sessions, the lunch was really good, breakfast was well done. I think the session leaders did a really good job. Patricia was amazing,” said Thorlakson. “Everything just came together.”
Women’s Wellness Committee member Brenda Dahlseide agreed the day went well. Even the decor looked nice, she said. The room wasn’t filled with plain tables and chairs, it was set up to be special for those who attended.
Dahlseide said this was an opportunity for women to attend an event they would have otherwise not had the chance to experience.
“If it wasn’t here, they would never do something like this,” she said. “They’ll never go into the city for a day and pay three or four times as much money.”
Although the schedule was tight, the event flew by as it was jam-packed with interesting and informative sessions. Options ranged from Tai Chi and laughter yoga, to improving your memory and reaching out, to making great cards and planter gardening.
Dahlseide said the conference was a great way to make women aware of things that are already out there, and to promote what’s happening locally.
“Here’s a way you can just go and sample it,” she said. “There aren’t a lot of things like this to do. It’s educational.”
Education was only part of the experience. Not only did the event work to introduce ladies to new ventures, but it offered an environment where local women could get together and meet one another.
“Some women don’t know a lot of people, so this is something they can go to and try and meet people,” said Dahlseide. “I think it’s a really cool thing. There should be things for women.”
