Rose Bowl Institute Hosts Its Sixth Annual Women’s Empowerment Symposium

ROSE BOWL INSTITUTE HOSTS SIXTH ANNUAL WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT SYMPOSIUM

The event featured influential speakers, giving attendees the opportunity to hear from women leaders.

PASADENA, Calif. (October 9, 2024) – The Rose Bowl Institute successfully concluded its 6th Annual Women’s Empowerment Symposium, which welcomed over 1,500 attendees from across the globe. Held virtually from October 1–3, the event is now available for streaming on the Rose Bowl Institute’s website, www.RoseBowlInstitute.org. This year’s Symposium featured a distinguished lineup of speakers, including Cheryl Miller, Olympic gold medalist and basketball legend; Azita Ghanizada, actress, activist, and founder of the MENA Arts Advocacy Coalition; Anita Alvarez, three-time Olympian and Artistic Swimming silver medalist; Ann Meyers Drysdale, Basketball Hall of Famer and Vice President of the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury; and Alexandra Niedbalski-Sykes, Principal Director and Business Owner of Confidential TPS LLC.

Throughout the three-day event, participants had the opportunity to hear from trailblazing female leaders from diverse fields, gaining insights into their unique career paths. Each day of the Symposium focused on one of the Rose Bowl Institute's core values—Sportsmanship, Leadership, and Citizenship—encouraging attendees to pursue higher education, overcome barriers, and aim for ambitious goals. The Symposium aims to equip the next generation of leaders with the tools, inspiration, and confidence needed to succeed.

Azita Ghanizada reflected on her experience, saying, "I was deeply honored to share my story at the Women's Empowerment Symposium. Leadership is not just about breaking barriers; it’s about lifting others up along the way. I hope my journey inspires others to embrace their authenticity and lead with integrity, both in their careers and in life."

Similarly, Anita Alvarez emphasized the importance of community and mentorship in her remarks: "Sportsmanship is about lifting each other up, and it’s at the core of what we do as athletes. It was an honor to share my experiences at this year’s symposium, celebrating these values and inspiring the next generation to lead with integrity, both in sports and beyond."

Lauren Hall, Program Director of the Rose Bowl Institute, shared her thoughts on the impact of the event: "Reflecting on the success of this year's Women's Empowerment Program, we are filled with pride and hope. Our initiative has not only equipped women with essential skills and resources but has also ignited a powerful movement for change. The stories of resilience and triumph we've witnessed highlight the profound impact we can achieve when we uplift one another. Together, we are not just empowering individuals; we are transforming communities and building a brighter, more equitable future for all."

Since its inception in August 2020, the Rose Bowl Institute has remained dedicated to educating and uplifting at-risk youth and underserved communities in Southern California and nationwide. Through free, donor-funded programming, the Institute instills core values—ethics, teamwork, sportsmanship, equality, and more—ensuring that participants develop the skills necessary to become contributing members of society.

To watch the 2024 Women’s Empowerment Symposium recap video, please click here. For more information, visit www.rosebowlinstitute.org.