PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — A new conference geared toward empowering and motivating women in an anxiety-filled world will be held at the Nordic Heritage Center the first weekend in May.
Organizer Traci Halvorson of Easton said she developed the idea for the Be Present Conference out of a desire to address the issues of anxiety and depression and how they impact women.
“Our philosophy is that depression and anxiety is as present as cancer is in people’s lives. You’re either dealing with it yourself, or you know someone who is dealing with it.”
“Technology allows people to be connected but not in a personal manner. This conference will allow people to connect with each other on a personal face-to-face basis and maybe make some new friends.”
The conference will be held Friday, May 3, and Saturday, May 4, at the Nordic Heritage Center in Presque Isle. Speakers will include Halvorson, a registered Maine guide who has worked in outdoor education and also coaches basketball at the University of Maine Presque Isle; Emma Gingrrich, an Amish-born author who wrote the book “Runaway Amish Girl;” and Kristy Nadeau, a counselor with Living Waters Ministry in Presque Isle.
Halvorson said the conference is focused on the intersection of health, well-being and quality of life.
“It gives us a wide variety of women who are dealing with clients or have had experience with depression or anxiety. Their stories will speak volumes to the women who decide to attend. A lot of it will be spoken from the heart.”
Tickets for the conference are $45. For more information, visit BePresentConference.com.
