Empowering steps at annual summit

Hundreds of women came together Saturday for a day of empowerment and education at the fourth annual Endless Mountains Empowerment Summit for Women.

This year’s event focused on “Baby Steps to Success” and featured keynote addresses from leadership consultant Linda Lathrop and State Senator Lisa Baker.

“Today is about taking one small step,” said Summit founder Gail Davis as she welcomed attendees to the event at Elk Lake High School.

Lathrop kicked off the morning with a talk on self-expression. “It is more than the words we use,” she told the audience. Clothes, body language, art, cooking “are unique to each individual,” she said and are all forms of self-expression.

Lathrop related that at the age of 30, she decided she wanted to learn how to belly dance. After completing a 10-week course, she signed up for another 10 lessons, and then more – taking nearly 50 weeks of belly dancing lessons.

“My point is you have to take a step,” she said encouraging women in the audience to take the time to learn something new and noting the boost to self-confidence when those things are achieved. “Slow imperfect progress is better than none at all,” Lathrop said.

Following the morning keynote address, participants were able to choose from a variety of breakout sessions with topics ranging from self-care, harnessing creativity, and business leadership strategies.

Between workshop sessions, participants could visit vendor tables where a variety of merchandise from jewelry and skin care to clothing, or take chances on an assortment of raffle baskets.

Susquehanna County Career & Technology Center’s Massage Therapy students were even on hand to provide a relaxing chair massage.

Following a lunch, prepared and served by the SCCTC Culinary Department, Sen. Lisa Baker delivered the afternoon keynote address.

Baker noted that next year (2020) will mark the 100th anniversary of women earning the right to vote in the United States. The 19th Amendment was ratified in August 1920.

Baker, however, spoke about the women she personally considered to be “pathfinders,” like her grandmother.

“For many of us, we can attribute much of our success to inspiring women who were holding their own and making their mark,” Baker said.

She noted that Susquehanna County women have been “trailblazers” in holding elected office, with many women in leadership roles. Baker said the late Carmel Sirianni of Montrose, was one of the first she had personally known in public office. “She was well respected and well admired,” Baker said.

She said that while an intern in 1983, there was only one woman in the state senate. “Now there are 12,” she said.

Baker said mentoring is a mark of a great leader and commended the professional mentors she has worked with in her career and how she has, in turn, served as a mentor.

She said a leader has to be willing to take calculated risks; take the long view and have a thick skin; and find a work-life balance. Baker also spoke about the importance of teamwork.

The annual summit is hosted by the Montrose Business and Professional Women’s Club, with proceeds r benefiting the annual scholarship fund.