The Power Is Yours

During this historic political season, two famous (or infamous, depending on which side of the party line you’re on) female politicians alluded to a glass ceiling with an enormous number of cracks. The ceiling might have sustained some damage during the campaign, but with a gender-wage gap, not to mention the other challenges of womanhood — balancing family life, job losses, inequality in the workplace and in society at large — sometimes it seems like that glass ceiling is still up there, shiny and intact as ever. Ladies who want more than just the status quo, meet your heroine. Simone Kelly Brown is a businesswoman, podcaster, and entrepreneurial force to be reckoned with. She’s hosting her second annual Own Your Power Retreat, and it promises to be even better than the first.

“This year we’re also focusing on personal development. I guess the most popular thing last year was the sex and yoga panel. This year we’re bringing sexy back! Busy women with part-time businesses, husbands, kids — we’re trying to focus on the other parts of being a woman,” she explains. This year’s concept is “It’s Your Time to Shine,” and visitors will be treated to two days of networking, panels, and business development workshops. Oh yeah, and enjoyable entertainment as well. “It’s important to take a moment to congratulate yourself on where you’ve been and what you’ve done. This weekend is a gift to yourself,” she says. It’s going down at the Miami Beach Botanical Gardens (2000 Convention Center Dr., Miami Beach). Admission ranges from $175 for a half-day to $300 for a full day; Give N Take members pay $150. Call 877-545-7352, or visit www.ownyourpower.biz/retreat, and even if you don’t make it to the retreat, you’re encouraged to stop by and donate clothing, shoes, and old cell phones for local domestic violence charity Women in Distress.
Fri., Sept. 26; Sat., Sept. 27, 2008