Registration, Exhibitors, and Continental Breakfast
9 AM - 10 AM
Foyer
All-Day Breakout Session – VA/EOVS Resource Rooms
9:00 AM- 4:00 PM
Session Rooms B, C, D, G, H, I
Headshots - Visit our photographer to have your headshot taken
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Foyer
Opening Ceremony
The Prism Auditorium
10 am - 11 pm
- Posting and Presentation of Colors — The Oxford Honor Guard
- Pledge of Allegiance — Jacquelyn Wolf
- The National Anthem — The Southbridge Middle School Chorus
- Invocation — Minister Nicole Darden
- POW/MIA Remembrance — Launa Wentworth RN, BSN, MSN
- Opening Remarks — Deputy Secretary Andrea Gayle-Bennett
- Guest Speaker — Congressman Neal (Video)
- Guest Speaker — Representative John Maris
- Keynote Speaker — Elizabeth Estabrooks
- Closing Remarks — Jessica Frost
Breakout Session 1 – Creating Calmness in Stressful Times with Beth Williams, The American Red Cross
Meeting Room 1
11 am - 11:50 am
Join us as we share techniques on how to use communication, stress-reduction tools, and relaxation tools to bring calmness and wellbeing during times of high stress.
Breakout Session 2 - The Power of Listening: Elevating Women Veteran Voices in Massachusetts with Deputy Secretary Andrea Gayle-Bennett and the Women Veterans Advisory Council
Meeting Room 2
11 am - 11:50 am
Join the presentation of the Women Veterans Advisory Council’s (WVAC) findings and recommendations, shaped by the 2024 statewide listening sessions and survey input from hundreds of women veterans. This session highlights themes that emerged, and actionable recommendations to EOVS Secretary Santiago that seek to address access, wellness, and recognition for women veterans—at every stage of life and service.
Breakout Session 3 – Back to Basics with Sarah Rondinone, MS, RDN, CDN
Meeting Room 3
11 am - 11:50 am
This workshop provides information on where to start with food and what optimal nutrition looks like. We will discuss what a balanced plate is, eating frequency, nutrient timing, and how to shop on a budget. We can also dive into quick snacks on the go, how to prepare a balanced meal with minimal time, and optimal hydration.
EXHIBITORS AND LUNCH BUFFET
11:50 am – 1:00 pm
Take this time to enjoy lunch, network, and visit the exhibitor booths
Breakout Session 4 – Women Veterans Benefits Panel with Lynnett Gabrilla, Deputy Chief Engagement Officer of Peer Support & Outreach and Anna Richardson, Co-Executive Director & Chief Counsel of Veterans Legal Services
Prism Auditorium
11 am - 11:50 am
This workshop offers a welcoming space to connect, share stories, and gain valuable insights into the unique benefits available to women veterans.
Guest Speaker with Q&A and Meet and Greet with Lourdes Tiglao, Former Executive Director, VA Center for Women Veterans
Prism Auditorium
1 - 1:45 pm
COFFEE BREAK
1:45 – 2:00 pm
Breakout Session 5 – Massage and Reiki Healing Sessions
Session Room E & F
1 – 3:50 pm
Massage targets the sources of bodily pain by eliminating muscle tension, increasing flexibility, and providing relaxation to the body as a whole. Reiki offers hands-on or hand-off energy transfer from the Reiki practitioner to the recipient.
*Due to the nature of this event, this is an in-person event only*
Breakout Session 6 – Executive Function Skills in Busy, Hard-Working Women with Taryn Barlow, M.S., CCC-SLP, CBIS, The Well Brain
Meeting Room 1
2 pm - 2:50 pm
This workshop highlights the immense mental load women carry daily, often balancing responsibilities for themselves and others. It explores how these cognitive demands impact energy levels and memory, offering strategies for managing time, priorities, and expectations. Through reflection and practical tools, participants gain confidence and self-compassion in navigating their cognitive load.
Breakout Session 7 – Journaling as a Means to Destress with Mary-dith Tuitt, Chair of the Massachusetts Commission on Status of Women, 2024 Deborah Sampson Award Recipient
Meeting Room 2
2 pm - 2:50 pm
The workshop is about teaching you how to use journaling as a way to destress your mind. When it comes to keeping a journal, the format you choose is a personal choice and should be based on your preferences and lifestyle. Some enjoy the tactile experience of writing by hand in a physical journal, while others prefer the convenience of typing their entries on a digital device. Handwriting can be therapeutic for some and may help with memory retention, but it can also be time-consuming and difficult to organize. On the other hand, typing allows for easy editing, searchability, and accessibility on multiple devices. The format you choose for journaling should be one that you enjoy and are more likely to stick with consistently. This workshop will teach you a handwritten format of journaling using pen/ink and stickers to journal our day.
Breakout Session 8 – Advocacy 101 with Maureen Elias
Meeting Room 3
2 pm - 2:50 pm
In this interactive workshop, participants will build the foundational skills needed to become powerful, change-making advocates at both the local and national levels. Through guided exercises and real-world examples, attendees will learn how to craft a compelling elevator pitch, engage effectively with high-level leaders and members of Congress, and harness the power of their personal story to drive impact. Whether you're new to advocacy or looking to sharpen your approach, this session will equip you with practical tools and the confidence to make your voice heard where it matters most.
Breakout Session 9 – Financial Wellness Q&A with Sue Katz, Hanscom Federal Credit Union
Meeting Room 1
3 to 3:50 pm
Join Sue Katz, Certified Financial Wellness Coach, to have an open discussion on what matters to you, regarding you and your family’s money. Please come with your questions or concerns. Some topics: budgeting, building credit, fraud, saving for your children’s college tuition, and any basic banking questions. The workshop is meant to be interactive.
Breakout Session 10 – Working through Compulsive Collecting and Clutter with Mike Nowicki, LICSW, Community Healthlink
Meeting Room 2
3 pm - 3:50 pm
This workshop will look into the factors to consider with compulsive hoarding/collecting as well as helping to define the criteria. This session will go over the best approaches to assist the person with this problem.
Breakout Session 11 – From Service to Success: Resume & Interview Skills for Female Veterans with 22Mohawks
Meeting Room 3
3 pm - 3:50 pm
Re-entering the workforce after military service? This empowering one-hour session is built just for you. Learn how to translate your military experience into language that hiring managers understand, craft a resume that gets noticed, and walk into your next interview with confidence. Whether it’s been months or years since your last job search, this workshop will help you take control of your civilian career journey. Join us and leave with tools, confidence, and a clear plan forward.