Dickinson State University will host the Rural Women on the Western Edge conference, which is designed to provide practical, inspirational, and developmental opportunities for rural women. This event, themed “Blazers and Blue Jeans,” will empower and connect women with resources and information to inspire leadership and help build strong communities.
Rural Women on the Western Edge is a two-day event taking place March 22 – 23, 2019, at Dickinson State University. Both the Friday night and Saturday events are designed to foster connection among community members.
The conference will begin Friday evening, March 22, with a light meal and keynote speaker Elizabeth Shipstead. Shipstead is from Northeastern Montana where she farms with her husband and two daughters. They raise peas, wheat, canola and cattle. She is the founder of The Rural Sisterhood and facilitates a Rural Sister Community Facebook group. She is passionate about helping rural women build their own connections.
The sessions scheduled for Saturday, March 23, are designed to inspire and equip participants with information to lead at home and in the community. The event will feature two keynote speakers and a series of 12 breakout sessions. Attendees can customize their learning experience. The speakers will focus on leadership, building strong communities, and challenges faced by women in rural areas.
The breakout sessions will focus on connecting rural women with resources, empowering women to lead, and project-based learning opportunities. In addition, there will be a vendor fair throughout the conference providing resource information for social services, insurance, estate planning, creative income opportunities and banking. Lunch is provided and will feature Watford City singer, songwriter, writer and photographer Jessie Veeder.
Tickets for the conference cost $35. To view the full schedule and to register, visit dickinsonstate.edu/rwc.
A block of rooms has been reserved at the Ramada by Wyndham in Dickinson. Call 701-483-5600 and mention the Dickinson State University rural women’s conference to receive a discounted rate of $69/night. Please book by March 1.
This event is supported by the Dickinson Convention & Visitors Bureau and The Bush Foundation. For more information, contact Betsy Murphy at betsy.murphy@dickinsonstate.edu.
