The Taylor Institute for Direct Marketing at The University of Akron will host a TEDx event for women on Saturday, Dec. 1, from 8:30 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. (EST). The independently organized event, licensed by TED, turns the spotlight on ideas by women in business. The theme for this year's conference is "The Space Between," and will focus on how women are less likely to approach subjects from a black-or-white perspective and see the gray areas in between.
Kathleen Kennedy, Taylor Institute executive director, is coordinating the event.
Kathleen Kennedy
"I was inspired by the TEDxAkron 2011 event to learn more about TEDx and the power of ideas to inspire change," she says. "At the same time, I saw a growing need to really explore the unique contribution that women make to innovative entrepreneurship, culture and society. The global TEDxWomen event provides the ideal platform to start a dialog with women in today's world."
National and local speakers featured
The event will integrate live streaming presentations from the TEDxWomen event in Washington, D.C., and include about 10 local speakers who will provide perspectives on the role of women and girls in the business world of the 21st century. The speakers will include current and future women leaders from the local business community, art, education and public service.
"This event is important to The University of Akron because it provides an opportunity for our students to share ideas with other women who have been successful in a many different pursuits," says Kennedy. "The event also features a special local session, 'INNOVATION: The space between what we imagine and what we create,' which will provide an opportunity for women to explore their role in Entrepreneurship, Invention and Business Innovation."
"This conference has sparked a vibrant ongoing conversation about women and girls worldwide who challenge and redefine the traditional rules and roles ascribed to women and men, girls and boys. We are pleased to bring this conversation to Northeast Ohio," says Kennedy.
Idea sharing important outcome of the day
"The goal of TEDxWomen is to inspire participants to rethink their role and the role on women in Akron and the world. This conference brings together ideas from Greater Akron area women and from the global TEDxWomen event into one conference, one conversation," says Kennedy. "The event is organized to start a dialog that we hope will continue with the kick-off to planning TEDxAkronWomen 2013. The ultimate goal of bringing TEDxWomen to Akron is to build bridges within the diverse community of women who are coming together for this event to take action to make change in our community – both locally and around the world."
TEDTalks have become famous for sparking new ideas and problem-solving discussions. In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TED created a program called TEDx. TEDx events combine TEDTalks and live speakers to spark deep conversation.
For more information on the event, visit TEDx online. For tickets, visit TEDxAkronWomen. http://tedxakronwomen.eventbrite.com/. To join the social media discussion or learn what people are saying about the event, go to www.twitter.com/TEDxAkronWomen.
Story by Aleka Johnson
Media contact: Laura Massie, 330-972-6476 or massie1@uakron.edu.