Our Founder & CEO Judi Sheppard Missett was “honored and humbled” that the White House chose her to attend this year’s first-ever United State of Women Summit on June 14th, 2016 in Washington D.C. President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, V.P. Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden, Oprah Winfrey, Warren Buffett, Nancy Pelosi, Loretta Lynch, Kerry Washington, Sophia Bush, Amy Poehler, and many more gathered to inspire a select group of attendees to help cultivate gender equality in our country, and across the globe. “The purpose was to inspire those who attended, to push for change and continue working towards making a difference for women. It’s a power-in-numbers idea,” says Judi, “and we’re on the right track.”
What an event it was! The day consisted of a series of speakers discussing important topics, assemblies of panels and breakout sessions to highlight topics such as economic empowerment, health and wellness, educational opportunity, violence against women, entrepreneurship and innovation, and leadership and civic engagement. “Everyone had a specific cause they were passionate about impacting. It was truly awe-inspiring,” Judi says.
Some memorable remarks came from the President and First Lady themselves. President Obama even opened his speech with “This is what a feminist looks like.” After noting some important pioneers of the State of Women movement, Obama mentions, “That’s the story we’re going to keep on telling, so our girls see that they, too, are America – confident and courageous.”
During a very delightful conversation between Oprah and Michelle Obama, the First Lady is asked what advice she would give the men in the room. Her reply? “Be better.” When Oprah asked what she wanted the young women in the room to take away from the Summit, Mrs. Obama paused, and then said, “It’s not what people say about you, it’s what you do. So the question is: what are you going to do?
Judi felt buoyed and empowered by the day. “I couldn’t believe I was hearing all of the people that were there speaking – President Obama, Michelle Obama, Warren Buffet, Oprah, the Bidens, the list goes on!” All in all, it was a wonderful conference that our own Jazzercise, Inc. leader was there to witness!
Already a huge inspiration and encouraging leader to so many, Judi says now, “I want to teach women to honor their bodies, and to take time and energy to take care of themselves… because if you’re not fit and vibrant, you don’t have energy to do what you need to do.”
We hear you, Judi. Let’s get and stay healthy so we can make a difference in this world!
For more on how you could get involved with the United State of Women Organization, visit: http://www.theunitedstateofwomen.org/how-to-get-involved/
