Local businesswomen gathered Wednesday to learn how to be more effective leaders.
The Kosciusko Association for Female Enrichment fourth bi-annual symposium was at 2517 Restaurant, Warsaw.
The title of the symposium was “Be The Best You” and was attended by approximately 80 women.
Sue Creighton, founder of KAFE, provided a history of the organization.
She said the organization was founded in 1986, and is a networking group dedicated to professional development and support of assistance to local businesswomen.
The organization meets the third Tuesday of the month at noon at the Great Wall.
Rebecca Kubacki, state representative, District 22, was the keynote speaker.
Kubacki spoke about how her parents have influenced her life.
She said government does not determine what people become in life, but said people are in charge of their own destiny.
She discussed how she was born in a migrant camp in Ochoppe, Fla.
“From my mother I learned compassion for others and faith in God,” Kubacki said.
She said from her father she learned the value of hard work.
She said on election night when she had won the state representative seat there were lots of tears of joy.
“The tears were not so much for the victory, but the realization of how far we had come from the migrant camps in Michigan, Ohio, Nevada and my own home state of Indiana,” Kubacki said.
She said her life has been about hope and change.
“Hope did not get me out of those tomato fields. It was hard work, determination, setting goals and achieving results,” Kubacki said.
The symposium featured a women’s health panel, women’s self defense training and a demonstration on light packing.
The health panel consisted of Wanda Cullison, nutritionist; Vicki Ley, licensed mental health counselor and addiction counselor for Bowen Center; Jill Freeman, certified personal trainer; and Wendy Melancon, Bowen Center assistant county director.
The health panel discussed the importance of exercise, Vitamin D and provided information on how to beat stress.
Becky Anglin, Warsaw Police Department Victim’s Service coordinator, discussed methods for self defense, and showed a video on lives that have been lost to domestic violence.
Kendra Crist Cross, independent national sales associate director for Mary Kay Cosmetics, spoke about ways to travel light.
Door prizes, donated by local businesses, were awarded during the event, and Vera Bradley donated a tote bag with items to attendees.
Sponsors of the symposium were CenturyLink, Lake City Bank, Indiana Tech, Times-Union and Vera Bradley.
For more information about KAFE, visit www.KAFE04.com
