FMU to host Women’s Symposium April 10

FMU to host Women’s Symposium April 10

Francis Marion University will host a free women’s symposium entitled, “What’s Her Story? Conversations with Women Leaders in South Carolina” on Thursday, April 10. This event is open to the public and will be held at the Carter Center for Health Sciences in downtown Florence.

The symposium will bring together women leaders from the Pee Dee and across the state of South Carolina to tell their stories and offer insight on how the next generation of leaders can build a community and make a difference. Panelists from a variety of backgrounds, including local government, community development, healthcare, nonprofits, and business will share how everyday decisions can yield lasting impacts and empower others. 

The event, co-sponsored by the Governor Robert E. McNair Institute of Research and Service, the Gender Studies Program, and the Kelley Center for Economic Development at FMU, will also feature a networking reception.

For more information and to register, go to www.fmarion.edu/womens-symposium/.

The event schedule is as follows:

12:15 pm: Registration Begins

12:45 pm: Welcome Remarks and Introductions

1:00 pm: Panel One: Politics/Government 

Panelists: Florence’s Mayor Barnes; Mary Finklea, League of Women Voters; Lake City’s Mayor Robinson

2:00 pm: Panel Two: Healthcare

Panelists: Donna Isgett, President and CEO of McLeod Health; Octavia Williams-Blake, Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, McLeod

3:00 pm: Coffee Break and Students’ Her Stories Fair

3:30 pm: Panel Three: Nonprofits

Panelists: Beverly Hutchison, Executive Director of the Dee Norton Child Advocacy Center; Meg Temple, Executive Director of the CARE House of the Pee Dee

4:30 pm: Panel Four: Business

Panelists: Jeanette Altman, Executive Director for the Continuum in Lake City; Paige Ard, Assistant Vice President, People Business Partner for Assurant and the Chair-Elect for the Florence Chamber of Commerce; Doris Lockhart, Owner, Spherion Staffing & Recruiting

5:30 pm: Brief Closing Remarks

5:45 pm: Networking and Reception