Three Days for Women: Free forum for the women of Asheville – and their men!

from Staff reports

Supreme Court Justice Patricia Timmons-Goodson

A free three-day forum designed to give women life-enhancing information will be held Thursday, Friday and Saturday, August 21, 22, and 23 at the W.C. Reid Center for Creative Arts, 133 Livingston Street.

“We want to make this the Year of the Woman for the people of Asheville,” said Mildred Nance-Carson, forum organizer and 2008 recipient of a YWCA “Tribute to Women of Influence” award. “Everybody is invited, and we are having a session especially for men on Saturday morning. Our goal is to provide real answers to the real issues that we live with, questions about our health, legal challenges, continuing our education, and options for housing here in Asheville. We believe that information is empowering, and we thank our presenters for sharing their expertise and wisdom with our community.”

The keynote speaker is
Supreme Court of North Carolina Justice Patricia Timmons-Goodson, who
will conclude the forum with her address at noon on Saturday, August
23. Governor Mike Easley appointed (then) Judge Timmons-Goodson to the
Supreme Court of North Carolina in 2006, making her the first African
American woman to sit on the Court. She was elected by the voters in
2006. Justice Timmons-Goodson is well known in Asheville, where she
visited in 2004 and campaigned for her seat on the Supreme Court in
2006.

The forum facilitator is Glenda McDowell, Conflict Resolution
Coordinator for the Asheville City Schools. Asheville Mayor Terry
Bellamy will provide opening remarks on Thursday. Michael Carter,
Mission Hospital Chief Diversity Officer, will give the invocation.

In addition to the speakers, the forum will host a large number of
vendors booths, where those attending can learn about products and
services, and get free health screenings. Mission Hospital will have a
human resources booth where people can discuss employment
opportunities, job selection criteria, internship opportunities, and
funding for school for healthcare careers available through Mission.

For more information please call the Mission Community Relations
Department at (828) 213-4800 – leave your name and address. Sponsors
for the forum include the Asheville Parks & Recreation Department,
Mission Hospital, and Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.