Home About Fawn Fawn's Blog Books Speaking Press Clips Contact Fawn       Press Clips     Tucson Citizen YWCA hosts conference on leadership ROMANO CEDILLOS The ability to connect with successful women is a key benefit of a local conference held here yesterday, according to a nationally known author. "Self-esteem issues have always kept women back," said author Fawn Germer. "The beauty of this conference is that women are able to connect with other brave women and share their feelings." Germer was one of the guest speakers to the YWCA's 15th annual Women's Leadership Conference held at The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa, 3800 E. Sunrise Drive. The conference, which featured several local and national women leaders, was attended by about 617 Tucson women from small businesses as well as larger organizations such as Desert Diamond Casino, IBM and Raytheon Co., said Janet Marcotte, executive director of the local YWCA. "Many of the supervisors who send their employees to the conference say they see a positive change in these women the next day," Marcotte said. The goal of the conference is to give women who work outside the home basic leadership skills, as well as to inspire and encourage them to take risks in achieving their personal leadership goals, said Linda Breck, YWCA director of leadership development. "We've had an outstanding response to this conference, especially from managers and employers who send their workers here to help them in their careers," Breck said. The conference speakers and workshops "not only give women new leadership skills, but it helps to enhance the skills they already have." Germer, who signed copies of her book, "Hard Won Wisdom," after her comments, said her main message to women wanting to achieve a better vision of themselves is to "stop being afraid of failing." Germer emphasized that women need to come to terms with failure and begin seeing it as a natural step toward success in achieving their personal goals. She challenged women to re-examine their perception of success. "Success is how you define it for yourself," Germer said. "It's not about titles. If you live a positive life that you find satisfying and rewarding, you're more successful than many CEOs. Success is all about who you are."     Click here to read more     Click here to read more     Click here to read more           Copyright 2007 Fawn Germer. All rights reseved.