On March 21, 50 women gathered at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Ventura to celebrate and uplift each other at Unleashing Women’s Leadership, an event sponsored by ACSA Region 13 and North Ventura Charter in partnership with the hotel.

After enjoying appetizers prepared by Ventura High School’s Culinary Arts program, the event officially began with a welcome by Mayra Vega-Manriquez, VP of Legislative Action for North Ventura Charter. Noting that this event had been long in gestation, Vega-Manriquez encouraged women to use the opportunity to join in celebration and empowerment. Consuelo Hernandez Williams, associate superintendent, Ventura County Office of Education, facilitated the event.

Participants were treated to the serenely healing experience of a 25-minute “sound bath” by Raising Mami Alchemy, using singing bowls, rattles, bells, xylophones and chimes as well as spoken words. After the sound bath, there was a palpable feeling of joy, calm and focused alertness in the room. Marissa Cervantes, principal of Ventura High School, then invited the audience to stand and get to know each other better in pairs. Structured questions in three rounds helped all participants expand their connections as the leaders shared who has helped them in their journey, their hopes and aspirations, and their purpose.

Keynote speaker Trudy Arriaga, former ACSA Superintendent of the Year and co-author of “Leading While Female,” shared personal and professional stories from her successful career, in addition to statistics about women in leadership. Significantly, she noted that while over three-fourths of educators are women, they comprise only a fourth of superintendents. She addressed five key barriers to women rising in leadership, as well as strategies to overcome them.

One example illustrated this vividly, as she pointed out that research indicates men will apply for jobs when they feel they have 60 percent of the qualities required, whereas women will wait for a 100 percent match, thus closing themselves to possibilities for leadership advancement. Shoulder-tapping potential leaders and seeing uniquely female characteristics as strengths helps to bolster those who lack confidence. Arriaga reminded the audience that our male colleagues can also be allies in helping women climb the leadership ladder.

After Arriaga’s speech, and as the sunset glowed through a bright balloon arch, there was another beautiful surprise, from Ventura High School’s floral arranging class: Three female students created bouquets for attendees from a colorful selection of self-chosen flowers and fillers. Inspiring cards with messages such as “You’re Brilliant” and “You’ve Got This” accompanied the floral gifts. It was a powerful way to end an inspiring evening.

To continue and complement the experience, a Leading While Female Virtual Book Chat series of three meetings was planned. For more information, contact acsaregion13nvcwln@gmail.com.