Thousands of people gathered in Fresno for the 36th annual Central California Women’s Conference on September 16, drawing an attendance of 3,500. The event featured a vendor fair with 160 exhibitor booths offering free items and gift basket raffles.
Attendees had the opportunity to participate in various sessions, including topics such as skin care and leadership confidence. Dr. Rohini Shantharam led a session titled “To Laser or Not to Laser: A Modern Woman’s Guide to Skin Confidence at Any Age,” while Latisha Akines presented “Leading with Confidence: Overcoming imposter syndrome in leadership.”
The conference’s keynote speaker was actress Sarah Rafferty, known for her roles as Donna Paulsen in “Suits” and Katherine Walter in “My Life with the Walter Boys.” Rafferty discussed her upbringing surrounded by women and reflected on how playing Donna Paulsen influenced her own self-confidence. She shared that one of her favorite lines from the show was, “I am not going to apologize for who I am.” Rafferty commented on how women often apologize unnecessarily, even joking about apologizing to doorways.
Deborah Rush, co-founder and CEO of Breaking the Chains, said about Rafferty’s remarks: “I really loved the way that she talked about not apologizing for who you are and really motivating us to own who you are as a person and as a woman, and really becoming comfortable in your own skin.”
Margot Kim served as Master of Ceremonies and conducted an on-stage Q&A session with Rafferty.
The Central California Women’s Conference was established in 1988 by Ken L. Maddy, a late state senator. Since its founding, it has raised more than $1.65 million for nonprofit organizations that support women and children. The current board includes Teri L. Amerine (president and treasurer), Danielle Bacon Parnagian (vice president), Tracy A. Kiritani (secretary), Victoria Bernhardt (legal counsel), Jenny Pardini (member at large), and Nene Casares (emeritus board member).
