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Dr. Zola Drain speaks to women who attended the 4th Annual Women in Leadership Symposium. Her workshop, "Failure is Not an Option," was one of six offered at this year's event that was geared toward empowering, educating and inspiring women to be leaders in their field and communities.

Conference held to empower women

By: By Alexis Scott-Perry

Posted: 3/10/10

Women had the opportunity to be inspired and encouraged at the 4th Annual Women in Leadership Symposium that took place Saturday March 6 at the Langston University-OKC campus.

The conference concept was first introduced and inspired during the fall 2006 inaugural celebration for Dr. JoAnn Haysbert. Haysbert, who is the first African American female president in the state of Oklahoma as well as the first female president at Langston University, said she felt it was important to have some recognition of women in leadership.

"This conference allows women to come together to see other women in leadership positions," Haysbert said. "It's also for those women who have achieved and had success in their careers to come back and share their knowledge to help younger women."

The theme for this year's symposium was "Empowering Ourselves: Networking Generations." The conference coordinators sought to empower participants through six workshops divided into two sessions. The first workshop sessions were "Image is Everything" with Tracy Tate, "Want More! Do More! Be More!" with Patrena N. Benton, and "If It Is To Be, It's Up To Me" with Taylor Byrne. The second sessions were "Failure is Not an Option" with Zola Drain, "Staying Healthy Mentally and Physically" with Chaz Kyser, and "Image is Everything" with Rachel Goff-Belmon.

"If It Is To Be, It's Up To Me" was geared towards high school students at the symposium. Byrne, a senior biology major from Oklahoma City, Okla., spoke about her personal platform "Dream It, Do It, Achieve It… Within You Lies the Power."

"You should have a dream for yourself and know who you are; that way you're able to envision it, believe it and achieve it," she said.

"Staying Healthy Mentally and Physically" was presented by Chaz Kyser. Kyser, a Langston University journalism instructor, spoke on how to live a healthier life by using four paths to great physical health.

Kyser went into detail about each of the paths, which included watching your mouth (watching what you eat), making physical activity routine (working out for 30 minutes, three times a week), taking a multi-vitamin, and getting at least seven to eight hours of sleep each night.

Keynote speakers Carolyn Jones and Lt. Gov. Jari Askins shared the keys to their success.

Jones, a senior special education major from Peoria, Ariz., spoke on her personal experiences. She explained that greatness does not come without hardships as she talked about how she perservered despite the illness and eventual death of her mother while she was in college.

Askins, who is serving her third year as Oklahoma's 15th lieutenant governor, spoke on making an impact and becoming a leader.

"We are the leaders that we have been looking for so find the leader in you," she said. "Instead of saying who, say it's you, it's me and it's us." "As women, we have an obligation to help one another."

A highlight of the symposium was the Women in Leadership Scholarship presentation. TaShae Harrison, a junior biology major, was the recipient of the $3,050 Women in Leadership Scholarship Award.

Dr. Carolyn Kornegay, chair of the Women in Leadership committee, said Harrison deserved the scholarship because of her commitment and involvement in her community, as well as on campus. Harrison holds a 3.6 GPA and is a E.P. McCabe scholar.

Harrison was shocked to hear her name called as the recipient of the award.

"It's a blessing and I have no one but Langston to thank for the opportunity," she said.

For more information on next year's symposium and/or how to contribute to the scholarship program, call

405-466-3425.