Last month, residents Bibi Goldstein and Sarah Perahia were among 14,000 people who attended The Women’s Conference 2010, hosted by Maria Shriver and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger at the Long Beach Convention Center.
The two co-chairs of the Manhattan Beach Women in Business (MBWIB) Committee listened to speakers — such as First Lady Michelle Obama, former Associate Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor and TV news anchor Diane Sawyer — with hopes of expanding what has traditionally been known as the MBWIB Conference to similar proportions.
“It was amazing and empowering,” Perahia said. “Regardless of Republicans or Democrats, there was a common theme of sisterhood and working together. Women in Business has also done that for me personally.”
On Monday, MBWIB took its first step toward reaching women beyond the city, re-launching its annual MBWIB Conference as the South Bay Conference for Women.
MBWIB was formed in 1998 by a handful of women as an outgrowth of the Chamber of Commerce. The organization’s mission was to provide programs and opportunities in leadership, development, mentoring, education and networking for women in business.
Its annual April conference typically brings together businesswomen from Manhattan Beach — 450 last year — with motivational speakers, panel discussions and networking opportunities.
“It’s not just for businesswomen and not just for women in Manhattan Beach,” Perahia said. “It’s for entrepreneurs, moms, and women from all different backgrounds and from all over. Not all women are businesswomen.”
Resident Cindy Hogue, a mom and fundraising volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, attended her first conference last year, which was held at Raleigh Studios.
Hogue said she felt strengthened after the conference and would like to see more women benefit from it.
“I learned tools, skills and ways to pick myself up,” she said. “We’re all workers, whether employed, unemployed, looking for employment, moms — getting together helps to keep the energy up and stay current.”
The South Bay Conference for Women will be held at the Torrance Marriott in April.
NFL broadcaster Mary Strong, who also owns Green Yogi in Manhattan Beach, will emcee the event.
“The important part about expanding is that the conference won’t just be limited to Manhattan Beach, or even the South Bay,” Goldstein said. “We’d love to see people coming from around the country where they can come network, and feel empowered and focused once they leave.”
MBWIB also hosts monthly mixers, such as last month’s breakfast meeting at the Murad Inclusive Health Spa. Roughly 100 women listened to physician Howard Murad share health tips and each received a gift certificate for a free spa treatment.
On Nov. 30 at 6 p.m., MBWIB will team up with Palos Verdes-based National Association of Entrepreneur Moms to host an evening mixer at Tin Roof Bistro, 3500 N. Sepulveda Blvd. in Manhattan Beach, where women will network and learn about each other through interactive games. The cost is $10 for Manhattan Beach Chamber and NAOEM members and $15 for non-members. ER
