Washington, D.C. -- January 14, 2010 -- Women In Government (WIG) hosted its largest and most successful State Directors’ Conference from January 7 through January 9, 2010 at the Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel in Dana Point, California. With 38 states represented and over 130 total in attendance, WIG was able to reach legislators across the country.
A new WIG Board of Directors was sworn in during the first evening’s dinner, including four new members Representative Terri Austin (IN), Representative Joan Brady (SC), Assemblywoman Fiona Ma (CA) and returning Board Member Representative DebraLee Hovey (CT). WIG broke all State Directors’ attendance records with 80 women state legislators in attendance. Sixty-four were sworn in as new WIG State Directors. WIG has increased its State Directors membership from 84 to 188, with a completely bipartisan composition of 95 Democrats and 93 Republicans.
The segments at the conference touched on many issues that the legislators will be addressing in the coming year, including redistricting, state budgets and healthcare. Many legislators said that they were excited to implement what they learned when they returned to their home states for the upcoming session.
Legislators also enjoyed the segments on leadership, campaign tactics, and media training, which were offered to help hone legislative skills and to teach more effective ways of communicating with peers and reporters. The legislators also met in breakout sessions according to region: Eastern, Southern, Midwestern, and Western. During these sessions, they discussed the most important issues facing their region and began to set the policy priorities and agendas for their regional conferences.
WIG President Mary Brooks Beatty said, “I received tremendous accolades for this meeting, with many legislators saying that it was the best meeting they had ever attended, and one sponsor calling it a ‘home run.’” By energizing our legislators and cultivating them to reach leadership roles, the organization can continue to strengthen its reputation for advancing effective policy in all the states.
We thank all who supported and joined us at the conference and look forward to seeing you at an upcoming WIG event!
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| Women In Government State Directors at the 16th Annual State Directors' Conference held January 7 - 9, 2009 in Dana Point, CA. |
