More than 250 women attend Passion Into Action Conference

The Jan. 23 conference was held at the Holiday Inn Express in Grass Valley.

Renowned women’s rights activist Gloria Feldt reminded us that to create a movement we must actually move into action.

Early Saturday morning, more than 250 women braved the snow and icy roads to converge at See Jane Do’s first annual Passion Into Action Conference held at the Holiday Inn, Grass Valley.

  Women traveled to the Jan. 23 conference from neighboring Foothill communities like Colfax, Auburn, and Truckee and from as far as Sacramento and the Bay Area and one dedicated soul came from Boston, MA.

 The ground-breaking day kicked off with opening speeches from See Jane Do co-founders Elisa Parker and Jesse Locks and Grass Valley Mayor Lisa Swarthout.

  Afterwards, attendees heard from Passion Into Action beneficiaries Sandy Schmidt founder of Women of Worth and Mary Elizabeth Young and Cathe’ Fish, members of Women’s Earth Alliance.  Finally the co-founder and president of Bioneers, Nina Simons, shared the importance of finding your own story and following your passion to enhance the planet.

 Seventeen workshop leaders, many local business owners and teachers, shared their passions through hands-on sessions that highlighted real women with real solutions.

  Workshops addressed issues such as finding your voice, feeding your passion (literally), living in the flow, women’s leadership, social media, sustainable gardening, fundraising and so much more.

  Over 21 organizations and businesses including gathered in the expo area to share information and encourage community collaboration and participation.

 Renowned women’s rights activist Gloria Feldt reminded us that to create a movement we must actually move into action.  She also said the conference included some of the most evolved group of women she has ever spoken to.  Former UN Ambassador for the Status of Women, Linda Tarr-Whelan was in awe that so many women showed up and stressed the importance of balanced leadership.

 The day ended with a panel discussion with Simons, Feldt, Tarr-Whelan and Rachel Barge, a Brower Youth Award winner and one of the day’s workshop leaders, on the moment that each of these women decided to get involved and put their passion into action and how they’ve been able to sustain themselves and their work.

 See Jane Do wrapped the day by announcing their February launch of their interactive 2.0 web site and the Extraordinary Jane campaign to get 1,500 women worldwide in the next three months to pledge to do their part in their communities and acknowledge an extraordinary Jane who is putting her passion into action.

  Nevada City Mayor Reinette Senum finished with an inspiring tale of discovering her own story and inspiring