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"I decided to have the women's conference to give women a day to have to themselves," said Marcia Antworth. "Women are powerful! They can do anything, but don't typically take time for themselves. They are too busy with job, husband or life."
The conference began with a keynote speaker Nancy Harless. Harless is a retired nurse practitioner from Wever, read excerpts from her book "Womankind - Connection & Wisdom Around the World." She told heart-wrenching stories of women she met during a professional exchange program to Guatemala and Belize sponsored by the Rotary International. Harless volunteers every opportunity she gets.
"I have found every time I give, I get back a hundred-fold," said Harless. " The goodness in me, recognizes the goodness in me."
Harless said she is not out to save the world, but make a little difference.
To live, laugh and love with women around the world a copy of her book can be purchased online at www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore or call (888) 361-9473.
In between sessions women could partake in a hand massage offered by EQ School of Hair Design or purchase something nice for themselves.
Jennie Edmundson Hospital gift shop stopped by with purses, T-shirts, wallets and other gifts a women may want to take home with her. For the women with a sweet tooth, Tastefully Simple was there with delicious gourmet food.
After lunch Pat Andersen, CPA, McDermott & Miller, discussed meeting financial goals toward retirement planning. She has been in public accounting since 1980 and performs a lot of consulting for divorce work, individuals, small businesses and audits.
Andersen covered financial success, debt management, homeownership and retirement.
According to Anderson the three keys to financial success are always spend less than you earn, avoid splurging, and invest the rest.
According to Andersen, America's average credit card debt is $8,400 per household. She recommends don't just pay the minimum because it is not a way to reduce debt, be aware of balance transfers. She said low interest rate on new purchases might have higher interest rate on balance transfers. There may be termination fees and retroactive interest charges and close the account you are leaving.
Andersen recommends before purchasing a home shop around and compare mortgage rates and terms that lenders offer. She said the factors to determine when purchasing a home is grossly income, housing expenses such as taxes, insurance, maintenance and utilities. Also, consider any long-term debt.
Andersen also discussed why it is important to plan for retirement. She said people are living longer. She said identify sources of retirement income, social security, working during retirement, 401 (k) or other retirement plans. Check with employer, some may offer a traditional pension that pays monthly.
Andersen recommends start early, have a diverse portfolio and take advantage of an IRA, 401 (k), or other tax-deferred retirement plans,
Andersen is a two-year cancer survivor. Jennie Edmundson, one of the sponsors of the conference created southwest Iowa's first comprehensive Breast Health Center. The goal of the Breast Health Center is to provide each patient with final test results and necessary treatment plan within seven days of the initial visit, minimizing any wait times and anxiety. A woman seen at the Breast Health Center will receive a clinical exam by a board-certified surgeon. Any diagnostic tests or consultations are coordinated along with education regarding breast disease, procedures and, if needed, surgery. To schedule an appointment with a physician call (712) 396-4117 or to schedule a mammogram call (712) 396-7600.
Other breakouts including sessions with Peg Christensen, TS Bank and Kim Weaver, certified Hypnotherapist with International Transformations in Des Moines.
Christensen gave a fun and insightful presentation about purses. Her purse driven life showed how things carried in a purse can be a reflection of life.
"I can tell when my life is chaotic or busy because I need to reorganize my purse," said Christensen.
According to Christensen your purse can be a reflection of where you are in your life. She said a flashlight in your purse means you're determined to find your way through life, a calculator means you are a detailed person, tape means you're holding things together and if you have batteries YOU HAVE THE POWER.
Christensen said women want to full each other with purses. They spend tons of hard earned money for something to put their money in. She too is a victim of this. She has been through a 12- step program and hasn't learned much. She said she feels separation anxiety when she can't find her purse. She said her husband just doesn't understand.
Christensen said in the future when in doubt get another purse.
The conference also had a discussion with a political panel of women and a leadership panel ofwith women presidents and CEOs in the southwest Iowa information.
"Women are considered deep - why? Because one can never discover any bottom to them, women are not even shallow." - Friedrich Nietzsche
