The League of Black Women 2007 conference "Strategic Power Plays" started with a wonderful reception and a presentation of the 2007 Black Rose Award to NASA Astronaut Joan Higginbotham. As she shared the story of her journey from her hometown of Chicago, Illinois to the Kennedy Space Center, I realized how far we have come as women of color.

Baroness Valarie Amos who left Guyana at the age of nine, had a distinguished career in public service, and did lots of work in South Africa after Nelson Mandella came to power. Then in 1997, completely out of the blue, she recieved the call from Tony Blair appointing her Leader of the House of Lords and the Lord President of the Council. Her keynote was memorable, her gentle spirit welcoming, and her achievements inspirational.

Read the full write up about this wonderful conference at:

 http://www.jadcommunications.com/newsletters/JADcom081007.html