Women's Conference, 2010, Long Beach, CA

This year I attended the Women's Conference in Long Beach, CA. I won two VIP tickets as  a Great Giveaway Winner. This was my second time at the conference; back in 2008 I earned a seat as an Inductee into the Minerva Leadership Organization. It was a great experience, The day was hell-a-chaotic and long but all in all, a great experience. Sad part is, with Maria Shriver no longer our First Lady, the conference will NEVER be as cool or star studded.

My winning statement:

As a woman, what personal freedom do you value most?

Estella Owoimaha, 20s:

I value my freedom to defy gravity and create change. I can do so because great women have set great examples. I can be black, female, mother, lesbian, warrior and poet if I wanted to because Audre Lorde has set such a great example. I can hold a public office and run for president because Hillary Clinton has. I can own a television network and build an entire school if I wanted to because Oprah Winfrey already has. Though they have set the bar pretty high, I can surpass Lorde, Clinton and Winfrey. They are just three of the many women that serve as inspiration, guidance and standards for success. However, even if there weren't great female examples to follow, I value my freedom to be the "first" at accomplishing some task.

My name is Estella Owoimaha. I am a Minerva Leader of 2009 and for the rest of my life. I am an African American woman. I’m a lot of things. Most importantly, I am capable; capable of greatness. When I became a Minerva Leader, I also accepted the responsibility of “architect of change”. I know limits are all mental. I have the ability to defy gravity, as so eloquently stated by the Elphaba of Wicked. As an African American woman, seems like most of my accomplishments defy the laws of gravity. I am okay with that because I embrace challenge with the intent of success and triumph.

I won a meet and greet with Maria Shriver and an interview with Robert Redford. Click the link below for the interview:

Estella Interviews Living Legend, Robert Redford