The second annual Women’s Leadership Conference, with the theme “Activate to Motivate,” featured breakout sessions, a panel discussion and three powerful keynote speakers, including Melissa Abad, a sociologist at the Stanford VMware Women’s Leadership Innovation Lab, and co-presidents of the National Women’s March, Bob Bland and Tamika D. Mallory.  Abad, who gave the morning presentation, offered solutions to breakdown perceptions and barriers, including encouraging women to ask for help and to build allies outside the areas in which they are comfortable. She also said they should not be shy about educating people about themselves or their backgrounds – they may not be the package people might be expecting. “This is a long process,” Abad said. “When we talk about change, when we talk about organizations and bringing change … we have to give ourselves permission to be messy and to make mistakes.” Conference attendees later were given an inside view of part of the process ushering in change when the co-presidents of the National Women’s March, Bland and Mallory, shared their experiences. “What we are trying to do with the Women’s March, and through much of the organizing that is happening across this country, is shape a new reality to create a new narrative that says women of all backgrounds, of all types, are at the center of this, and that, in fact, in order for us to be true to who we say we are, women who are most marginalized must be out front,” Bland said.

Despite the challenges and conflicts that may make one leave the movement, Mallory said that’s when it was most important to stay involved. “I think the reason why we are here today is to say to all of you who are sitting here, that you are the ones responsible for right-siding this thing,” she said. “That it will only stay true to some core values if you stay in it.” And Bland, taking note of the university’s “We Define The Future” messages throughout the campus, said, “You’ve got a great school motto, because you do define the future. You as individuals, you collectively, you define the future. And don’t let anyone ever tell you otherwise or get you confused about that. You’ve got to keep that truth inside yourselves.”