Organizers excited about Mansfield Symposium

By KARYN SPORY

Mt. Pleasant News

The story of Arabella (Belle) Babb Mansfield is one of promise and one that can inspire women, not at Iowa Wesleyan College, but women around the country; that?s why she?s being honored with the Mansfield Symposium.

The Symposium will take place on Thursday, March 26 on the IWC campus.

Ashlee Whipple, chair of public relations and communications committee, said girls and women still face oppression and are denied education, that?s why this day was created to honor Mansfield.

?Back in those days, women did not work and definitely did not persue a law degree. Belle is an example of what we can strive to be,? said Whipple.

This is the second annual symposium for Mansfield. Last year?s event focused on women in law, as Mansfield sat for the bar exam in 1869 and became the first women licensed to practice law in the United States.

According to a press release from IWC, Mansfield never practiced law in the traditional sense. Instead she wore many hats and enjoyed careers as an educator, public orator, world traveler, art historian and journalist.

Because of Mansfield?s entrepreneurial nature, this year?s symposium will focus on women in business.

?Ultimately, the spirit of Belle is all about education and changing lives,? said Whipple. ?If we have programming at IWC, maybe we can open doors for women that are seeking to open up a new business or are currently in the business world.?

Whipple added the event is not just for women.

?We want to remember Belle and her story and challenge everyone in the audience, men and women, to think about risks that we?ve all taken and continue to live in the spirit of Belle.

The symposium will begin at 11 a.m. with a panel discussion ?Women entrepreneurs: daring to be bold by stepping out on their own.?

The panel discussion will be held in the Adam Trieschmann Hall of Science Auditorium and will feature entrepreneurs from around the area including Michal Eynon-Lyncy, co-founder, chief operating office and chief educator at Pear Deck, Iowa City; Melinda Bickel, owner of Bickel?s Cycling and Fitness, Burlington; and Jessica Ledger-Kalen, president and co-founder of Royale Concrete, Fairfield. The panel will be moderated by Denise Baker, director of marketing at Winegard Company in Burlington.

Whipple said each of the panelists will talk about why they chose to pursue business, become an entrepreneur and how a liberal arts education contributed to their goals. She added each discuss the challenges that women face in today?s business world.

The festivities will continue into the evening with ?An evening with Belle?, a dinner in support of the Mansfield Endowment, followed by a clothing drive. Donations of business professional clothing will be accepted and provided to the Fellowship Cup. The drive will be in the Chapel lobby.

The evening will commence with a keynote address by Diane Crookham-Johnson, attorney-at-law and owner of Musco Corporation. The address is open to the public and will begin at 7 p.m. in the Chapel Auditorium.