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More than 1,100 high school and college students from around the nation took part in the Rose Bowl Institute’s three-day Second Annual Women’s Empowerment Symposium last week, where they heard from a star-studded group of influential women in sports, industry and government.
The purpose of the symposium was to “inspire, empower and influence the mindset of participating youth to pursue higher education and professional careers, motivating them to break barriers while setting and achieving their goals,” the RBI said in a written statement.
Due to the pandemic, the forum was held in a digital format Sept. 16-18, featuring speakers and panelists including Madeleine Albright, Sophia Bush, Brandi Chastain, Jessica Mendoza, Ann Meyers Drysdale, Katelyn Ohashi, Julie Foudy, Lauren Gibbs and many others. The event was free and open to high school and college students, although pre-registration was required.
“Using the iconic Rose Bowl’s digital footprint this year, the Women’s Empowerment Symposium connects young women students with civic and business leaders, athletes, sportscasters, journalists and other leading thinkers to highlight how sports values can positively impact their lives,“ according to RBI President Charlie Firestone.
The symposium’s three days were each assigned one of the three primary themes of the RBI: sportsmanship, leadership and citizenship.
The first day’s events were moderated by UCLA and WNBA basketball legend Ann Meyers Drysdale. Panelists included USA Women’s Soccer Team Captain Julie Foudy and pioneering football coach Jen Welter.
“They discussed ‘Driving Progress and Shaping the Future,’ while Pasadena native, Westridge School graduate and Olympian Lauren Gibbs, former UCLA basketballer Nina Westbrook, and podcaster Kristen Jones addressed burning-out and mental health issues,” according to the RBI statement.
Meyers commended the RBI for not only talking about diversity and inclusion, but also for “being able to step up.”
“We talk about diversity so much in this country. And the fact that they are bringing young women together and women that have been in the workforce for a long time, and they have been around and are able to share their experiences and give back that really stands out to me,” she said in an interview with Pasadena Now.
The second day highlighted leadership.
“Aon Chief People Officer Lisa Stevens moderated the day’s sessions with panelists Theresa Edy-Kiene, Girl Scouts Greater Los Angeles CEO, and Lylle Breier SVP Global Marketing at Disney, among others,” the statement said.
Former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright was the keynote speaker on the third and final day, devoted to the topic of citizenship. She joined other influential women in politics such as RISE CEO Dihann Billings-Burford and Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors President Kathryn Barger.
The RBI plans to award five $2,500 scholarships to attendees of the event, who became eligible to apply at the symposium’s conclusion, organizers said. The winners of the scholarship are expected to be announced later this year.
“Additionally, after hearing from inspiring and empowering women over the three days, the Rose Bowl Institute announced its partnership with the Christina Mauser Foundation to honor the spirit and legacy of Christina Mauser in 2021 with the Christina Mauser Scholarship Award,” according to the RBI statement. “Please be sure to continue to follow us for more information.”
The symposium has been posted online and can be viewed on the Rose Bowl Institute’s website at rosebowlinstitute.org/womens-empowerment-symposium.
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