Inspiring young women to be the leaders of tomorrow is an essential part of Salem College’s mission. A group of Salem students will got a healthy dose of inspiration from some of the nation’s top women leaders, including a Salem alumna, at the 2011 North Carolina Governor’s Conference for Women, Nov. 2, in Charlotte.

As a part of the Salem Signature Leadership Program, 12 students—Taylor Heaton, Stephanie Knight, Alexis McClellan, Barbara Sostaita, Krystyna Martin, Sonya Hurtado, Leslie Holmes, Nataly Mojica, Rosa Thao, Katherine Hall, Nayelly Dominguez and Christina Johnson—attended the conference.  It was a rare opportunity for students to hear some of the nation’s top female leaders speak, network with some of the most influential women in the state and learn leadership skills first-hand from accomplished women. Students were chosen from a number of applicants to attend the exclusive event.

Salem alumna Mary Davis Holt spoke at the conference, joining a distinguished panel of speakers that included North Carolina Governor Bev Purdue and best-selling novelist Terry McMillan. Alumna Jill Stewart Flynn was also in attendance. Holt and Flynn co-authored Break Your Own Rules: How to Change the Patterns of Thinking that Block Women's Paths to Power and are partners in Flynn Heath Holt Leadership in Charlotte.

The Salem Signature Leadership Program is a four-year comprehensive leadership program for traditional-age students that celebrates women as leaders and provides students with opportunities to distinguish their college experience. One of the only programs of its kind in the nation, the Salem Signature Leadership Program is made possible by a generous grant from BB&T.

The North Carolina Governor’s Conference for Women is an annual convening of more than 1,500 women from across the state for energizing dialogue on a variety of women's issues. The day-long conference includes a mix of speakers, entertainment, and an interactive expo for networking, information sharing and education.