Women Supporting Women conference set March 21-23 at Redden State Forest

The ninth annual Women Supporting Women Through Opportunity Conference will take place Friday-Sunday, March 21-23, at Redden State Forest near Georgetown. An array of activities is planned including eight workshops, door prizes, food, fellowship, fun and learning opportunities.

The conference is held annually, planned by friends of the Gee…You Will Project, a formalwear lending library and women's and girls' mentoring project serving those in need throughout Delaware.  More than 50 women, from community and civic association members to housewives and helping professionals, attend the conference annually.

Events for the ninth conference begin March 21 with the traditional Eat Dessert First reception and an evening of activities designed to help the attendees get to know one another. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the opening reception begins at 6 p.m. The theme of this year’s conference is Gonna’ Start an Evolution: The Evolution of Women, and supporting this theme there will be a special fashion show Friday night, showcasing the evolution of women through time and showcasing some of the project’s gowns.

Starting at 9 a.m. Saturday, a variety of workshop topics is planned including the following:  Extreme Couponing; Evolution of Self: Journaling; Food Art; Who’s Coming to Dinner; Home Theater; Embrace Your Femininity; Women, History and Heroes; and Nature and Drumming. Day workshops conclude about 4:30 p.m.  Evening activities run until about 9 p.m.

The drumming workshop has become an annual favorite.  Workshop facilitator Lynne Betts will bring with her the experience of having visited Ghana earlier this year on a drumming excursion to fight poverty. In the Who’s Coming to Dinner workshop, the recipes of women chefs will be highlighted as the participants work together to create the dinner that will be served Saturday evening.

At 9 a.m, Sunday, March 23, there will be a nondenominational Celebration Ceremony followed by a morning of crafting, belly dancing and other activities.

“The conference takes on a retreat feel and promotes an atmosphere of comfort and joy among those attending,” said Rosemary Joseph-Kappel, cofounder of the Gee…You Will Project. “When the conference began, it was to promote the project; now the conference is a part of the project that volunteers, supporters and those who are simply curious look forward to every year.”

The donation of $50 includes food, supplies, facilities and lodging (if desired) on a first-come, first-served basis.  The conference is open to about 55 women, ages 18-80 and beyond, and workshop assignments are made based on registration dates.

Delaware Commission for Women is the lead sponsor for the seventh year in a row. The Ladies Auxiliary of the Ellendale Volunteer Fire Company is also sponsoring and assisting with this year’s conference. Scholarships are available for those in need, thanks to DCW and other supporters.  Other donations can also be arranged.

Other support and consideration is also given by local businesses and individuals who either want to help with conference costs or provide scholarships for participants in need.  Sponsors are being accepted for this year’s conference and for the Gee…You Will Project to help with operating costs and support the lending library and its borrowers.  The project is also in need of a new location to house the gowns.

For preregistration, for information for the Women Supporting Women Through Opportunity Conference, related activities and scholarships, or for how to become a sponsor or house the gowns for the Gee…You Will Project, contact Rosemary Joseph-Kappel at 302-242-0032 or email GUWillProject@yahoo.com.