Last spring Jennifer Lamb went to a performance at Raino Dance and was taken by the number of women her age dancing for the first time.
“Usually you go to a dance performance and you see professionals or you see children. And here were all these women taking it seriously for the first time and wanting to perform for others. I was quite intrigued.”
When Lamb heard Monique Salez, owner of the studio, speak that night, her enthusiasm helped spark Lamb’s drive to organize the first Ignite Women’s Conference.
Salez is now one of seven featured speakers at the conference, a day-long event aimed at igniting the passion and unlocking the potential of women aged 40 to 65 in the Capital Region.
Topics up for discussion include entrepreneurship, artistry and fulfilling your passion during a time Lamb considers “second adulthood,” once children are raised and out of the house.
“All of these things have been on my mind because I, personally, am on that quest,” said Lamb, who spends her days working in finance.
Along her quest, Lamb has discovered she is clearly not alone in her desire to get more out of middle age.
“The response has been overwhelming. I’ve been quite floored by the number of women enthused about the conference and who want to present. The quality of women in this town is quite amazing.
I thought I’d shine a light on women who achieved quite a high degree of success following their passions.”
In response to the interest, Lamb plans to continue monthly workshops for women to meet and share throughout the year.
“When I was a kid, our parents talked about doing something sensible and doing it until you retired,” Lamb said. “When you listen to these ladies speak, you can actually feel the passion come out of them. It’s infectious.”
The Ignite Women’s Conference runs from 8:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. tomorrow (Oct. 19) at the Victoria Conference Centre (720 Douglas). Tickets, $125 including lunch, are available through ignitewomensconferencesvictoria.eventbrite.ca or 250-888-5541.
Ten per cent of sales will be donated to Soroptimist International of Greater Victoria.