Mothers and daughters aged 10-13 of Central Alberta are invited to the upcoming Mother Daughter Conference on Feb. 8th put on by Soroptimist International of Central Alberta.

The fun-filled day is set to include speakers, workshops, lunch, and fitness activities.

Guests can expect to take part in a self-esteem workshop, a peer pressure presentation, information on drugs and alcohol in our community, puberty, dangers and pitfalls of social media, cell phone use and online bullying.

“We found these all to be very relevant topics for girls within that age group and maybe let them know what they can expect in the next few years,” said Sherri Smith, treasurer for Soroptimist International of Central Alberta.

“We want the girls to know that they are not alone and that if they are facing issues then there is a good chance that someone else in the room may very well be facing the same issues they are.”

Mothers and daughters will also hear from guest speaker Mayor Tara Veer, whom has spoken at past mother and daughter conferences.

“The girls are always so excited to hear Mayor Veer speak and I think a lot of them really look up to her and want to find out more about her as a person,” said Smith.

“In the past Veer has spoke on issues such as bullying and how she came to find herself pursuing a career in politics.”

The conference will also present $3,000 in cash to two winners of the Women’s Opportunity Awards, with the first place winner receiving $2,000 and the second place winner receiving $1,000 to spend as they wish.

The Women’s Opportunity Awards give women the chance to make a better life for themselves and their families through increased access to education and better career opportunities.

“We’ve been doing the opportunity awards for a long time now and have helped a lot of women with that funding,” said Smith.

“There are so many women out there who could use this money to help them and their families and we encourage them to apply.”

The awards are given out under the decision of three judges in order to give women a chance they had not previously had, or may never have otherwise.

Women’s Opportunity Award applicants are those who have faced economic or social barriers, and personal hardships that have prevented them from pursuing and achieving their educational and professional goals.

Applicants must be accepted to or attending post secondary schooling such as college/university or vocational/workplace training, as well as have children or dependants.

Applications are available from the various colleges in the Central Alberta region, or by contacting Lynn Rienguette, Women’s Opportunity Awards chair, at 403-348-9707.

Applications for the awards are due Feb. 1.

For more information on the awards, the conference and Soroptimist International of Central Alberta contact Sherri Smith at 403-391-7912.

jswan@reddeerexpress.com