WAC 2009 hits on a good note

June 1, 2009 – Approximately 175 OCSEA members and their friends and family attended this year's Women's Action Committee Conference in the Toledo area May 29-31.

Speakers at the event, held at Maumee Bay Resort and Conference Center, included Ohio Education Association President Patricia Frost-Brooks, Ohio Association of Public School Employees President JoAnn Johntony, and many OCSEA leaders.

On Saturday morning, Frost-Brooks spoke after OCSEA Pres. Eddie L. Parks, giving members a message about the conference's theme – "Empowering Women through Faith, Hope and Vision."

"As women, we can do anything, but we can't do everything," she said to much applause. "We can't tackle our agendas, our visions...by ourselves."

Saturday evening, Johntony warmed listeners with encouragement about today's difficult economic times. She called for health care reform. Johntony spoke from the heart about the current health of her husband, who she has been married to for 50 years, and how grateful she is for the benefits her union has allowed for her in a time when so many are without insurance and without a paycheck.

WAC Chair Laura Morris testified to the power of a woman when she said, "It takes a woman to make wood, stones and bricks a home."

Pres. Parks spoke as well, and compared Pres. Obama's first 100 days in office with those of former Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt, and the Mortage Crisis of 2008 to the Wallstreet Crash of 1929. Parks said Roosevelt set the standard for each president's first 100 days, and that Obama has come far and above those expectations.

He asked members to hold elected officials accountable for their choices. "The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh," said Parks.

See Related

2009 WAC Conference information

WAC conference photo gallery