Steinem, Waters Headline Women's Conference

If you want to hear from two women who asserted themselves into history, you should circle on your calendar the date of March 5, a Monday.

Feminist pioneer Gloria Steinem and restaurant pioneer Alice Waters are the keynotes for a full day of the East Bay Women's Conference from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday, March 5, at the San Ramon Marriott.

The annual conference this year has a theme, "Voices, Views and Forces for Change." The MC is Bay Area film critic Jan Wahl. Another featured speaker is Ann Tardy, a motivational speaker and business leader.

The conference is presented by the Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau and Chevron. Registration for the all-day conference is $175, and pre-registration is required.

Writer Gloria Steinem was a media spokesperson for the women's liberation movement in the 1960s and 1970s, and last decade a co-founder of the Women's Media Center.

Alice Waters is the owner of Chez Panisse in Berkeley, at the forefront of the movement for California cuisine based on organic, locally grown ingredients. She created the Edible Schoolyard program at Martin Luther King Middle School in Berkeley.

Some excerpts from the conference's press release:

The annual all day conference, this year themed "Voices, Views, and Forces For Change" and sure to be another sell-out, blends premier keynote and featured speaker presentations; interactive breakout sessions focused on contemporary issues; exhibitor booths; and a fully stocked bookstore and author signings. Conference highlights include continental breakfast, full lunch, and afternoon reception; free women’s health screenings provided by John Muir Health; and the popular Prize Drawing, offering winners exciting and valuable goods and gift certificates

Breakout sessions feature industry experts in personal development, business leadership, entrepreneurship, surviving change, technology & social media, health & nutrition; and money & finance. New this year, EBWC designates additional conference time to networking and an extended afternoon premium wine tasting (5–5:30 p.m.), sponsored by Rock Wall Wine Company, after the closing reception and entertainment.