Coastal Carolina University’s Woman in Philanthropy and Leadership (WIPL) will expand the 2012 Women’s Leadership Conference and Celebration of Inspiring Women to two days. The events are scheduled for Monday, March 19, and Tuesday, March 20, at the Sheraton Myrtle Beach Convention Center Hotel. “Speak Up! Give Voice to the Vision” is the focus, building on the theme of the 2011 inaugural event – “Our Vision, Our Voice, Our Time.”

The expanded 2012 events will present expert speakers who urge women to take action, using their voices to become more effective in the workplace, in the political arena, in managing their health and more. The conference will also culminate with the Celebration of Inspiring Women dinner which will honor women for their life work. To date, The Brandon Agency and the Frugal Princess have committed as major sponsors.

“This is an exciting time for WIPL as we seek to empower women to fulfill their potential,” said Terri DeCenzo, executive director of Women in Philanthropy and Leadership. “We look forward to the events and speakers which will build on the theme of leadership and give voice to the vision of gender equity. We encourage all men and women to attend and continue the conversation started last year.”

The events are designed to create pathways for positive social, political and economic change by providing an arena where leaders and emerging leaders can meet to develop and nurture alliances and connections across all boundaries.

More than 400 attendees participated in the first Women’s Leadership Conference on March 25, which featured 17 speakers who presented inspirational stories of leadership, empowerment, health and work/life balance. Eight women were honored during the Celebration of Inspiring Women. The 2011 events raised $12,588 in scholarship funds resulting from sponsorships and a silent auction. Sponsorships also provided the opportunity for 62 CCU students to participate in the conference and for 44 to attend the evening celebration.

Coastal Carolina University’s Women in Philanthropy and Leadership was established in 2007. CCU President David A. DeCenzo describes the WIPL leaders as a group of remarkable women who apply their collective vision, wisdom and determination to create a powerful economic force and an inspiring spirit that actively transforms the lives of students. WIPL accomplishes this through scholarships, leadership initiatives and programs such as the Women’s Leadership Conference.

Register for the 2012 Women’s Leadership Conference and Celebration of Inspiring Women at www.wiplconference.com. For more information, contact the Office of WIPL at 843-349-5033 or email at wipl-adm@coastal.edu.