releases: https://www.leahy.senate.gov/press/this-years-womens-economic-opportunity-conference-cancelled-planning-will-start-for-weoc-2021
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://www.leahy.senate.gov/press/this-years-womens-economic-opportunity-conference-cancelled-planning-will-start-for-weoc-2021 | This Years Womens Economic Opportunity Conference Cancelled; Planning Will Start For WEOC 2021 | 2020-08-26 | 2020 | 2020-08 | Democrat | House | VT | Patrick Leahy | L000174 | www.leahy.senate.gov | legacy | 08.26.20 This Year's Women's Economic Opportunity Conference Cancelled; Planning Will Start For WEOC 2021 (WEDNESDAY), Aug. 26, 2020) Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Tuesday announced the cancellation of what would have been Vermont's 24th Annual Women's Economic Opportunity Conference (WEOC), due to the challenges of the COVID pandemic. It is only the second time in the long history of the conference that it has been cancelled, the first time being after 9/11. Leahy launched the annual conference in 1996. In a letter sent to nearly 3,300 Vermonters, Leahy said: The strength of this conference lies in the personal stories and lessons that are shared and the personal connections that are made, whether in workshops, a keynote address, or simply over lunch. These connections make this conference unique, and when we explored options for WEOC this year, we simply could not overcome the obstacles brought on by COVID concerns. Held at Vermont Technical College in Randolph, the free conference is known for bringing together hundreds of women from across Vermont for a day of professional and personal growth. Recent keynote speeches and workshops have focused on gender equity, racial diversity and the challenges of starting a business in Vermont, while attendees have explored new careers, connected to financial resources and strengthened their social media skills. More information on the conference can be found on Senator Leahy's website at https://www.leahy.senate.gov/issues/about-weoc. Here is the letter Senator Leahy sent today: Dear Friend: Normally at this time of the year, we would be making final plans for Vermont's Annual Women's Economic Opportunity Conference (WEOC), a tradition that's been going strong since 1996. But this is no ordinary year, and I am writing to let you know that after much deliberation, we believe it is best to forego this year's conference and start planning for a great event in 2021. This is a difficult time and this was a difficult decision, only the second time in 25 years that we have needed to cancel WEOC. The other instance came after 9/11. This conference is known for bringing together hundreds of women from across Vermont for a day of professional and personal growth. Marcelle and I always look forward to our conversations with you. We hear your stories about the challenges of running a woman-owned business, or changing careers in midlife. We hear from you about the need for income equality for women, and more racial diversity in hiring practices. The strength of this conference lies in the personal stories and lessons that are shared and the personal connections that are made, whether in workshops, a keynote address, or simply over lunch. These connections make this conference unique, and when we explored options for WEOC this year, we simply could not overcome the obstacles brought on by COVID concerns. Vermonters have made so many sacrifices in the past five months to help keep our communities safe during this outbreak, and I am so proud of the way our state has pulled together when other states have pulled apart. In the Senate, I have worked as Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee to address the needs of our state and our nation. We made some real progress early on, and I'm grateful for the hard work done by Governor Scott and the Legislature to allocate the federal CARES Act funding that Vermont received. I was heartened that they included $5 million to support women and minority-owned businesses, but we know that so much more is needed. I hear every day from Vermonters who are struggling, whether to keep their small businesses open or to manage child care when they return to the workplace. Or they struggle to put food on the table. I understand these needs and I will continue to fight for more federal help, not only to states but directly to our small businesses and families who are facing challenges that we have not seen before in our lifetimes. I promise you that. For now, Marcelle and I hope that you and your families stay healthy as you endure the daily challenges we face in overcoming this pandemic. Please don't hesitate to reach out to my office if I can be of help. And please look for a future email as we start planning for WEOC's return in 2021. Sincerely, PATRICK LEAHY United States Senator #### Previous Article | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |