The Annual Women’s Empowerment Conference is scheduled to take place at Georgia Southern University on Saturday, March 9 in the Russell Union Ballroom from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“The conference is for women of all cultures and all ages to come together and learn about love, relationships, spiritual and financial wellness,” Michelle Allen, coordinator of the conference and education administration graduate assistant, said.

The cost of the conference for students is $15 and for non-students is $20, which will cover the cost of two meals and a conference gift.

“The goal of the conference is to educate all women, on and off campus,” Allen said. “We want to let women know what their options are. I hope after the women of Georgia Southern University attend the conference, they will feel more empowered and do what they want to do.”

The theme of the conference is “The Journey: A Woman’s Path to Progress,” Shakita Jenkins, marketing chair of the conference and public health graduate student with a concentration of community health education, said.

There will be a number of guest speakers at the conference this year to speak about women’s wellness. After each session, attendees will be able to talk with the speakers.

Those interested may register online or in the Multicultural Student Center on the second floor of the Russell Union. The Multicultural Student Center is accepting registration fees until the date of the conference or until 400 people register.

“The conference is for all ages, but we are targeting 18-to-22-year-old women,” Allen said. “We encourage all faculty, staff and students to come to the conference.”

The conference will include a breakfast and lunch, with a variety of classes offered throughout the morning and afternoon, Jodi-Ann Simpson, a junior public relations and member of the conference’s marketing committee, said.

“Men will be able to attend the conference and go to each session and learn about a woman’s wellness from a different perspective,” Jenkins said.

“My goal for this is that women can come in with one mindset of what they think it will be and come out with something completely different and a more positive aspect,” Simpson said.

“I would like to encourage everyone to register as soon as they can so they know they have spot at the conference. We do not want to turn anyone away at the door,” Allen said.

Jenkins said, “We hope that when women come and attend each session, they can take away something that they learned and apply it to their life and that will help their progress or their path to progress.”