Fortune's Most Powerful Women Summit: Day One
Last week, a small group of women and I flew out to San Diego because I was invited, once again, to take part in Fortune's Most Powerful Women Summit. I have been invited, I think, five times but have only been able to attend three times.
Now in its 10th year, this summit is a gathering of the most amazing women leaders in business, government, academia, philanthropy, and the arts. This is really a fascinating and educational experience –- two and a half days of talks, interviews, debates, and riveting panels. The invited guests are asked to contribute to the summit and I offered to teach a yoga class, sort of as a joke. Well, they loved the idea and I invited my niece Sophie Herbert to come along. Sophie is a wonderful yoga teacher in New York City and she graciously helped with the class. She also took home a great deal of knowledge from attending this conference. Enjoy these photos of the first part of the gathering and visit tomorrow's blog to see pictures of the yoga and more of the event.
What a powerful event! Thanks for the peek inside
Posted by: Tamara | October 8th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
I remember seeing your niece Sophie on your show many years ago. How nice to read about her success too!
Linda
Posted by: Linda Crispell | October 8th, 2008 at 8:10 pm
Martha! I can't believe you're in San Diego! Can I please come meet you?
Posted by: Vina | October 8th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
I love to see you with your niece. She would make a great regular on your show. She seems very nice and it has been great to see her grow through the years. A spot with her weekly!!!???!!
Posted by: cheri | October 8th, 2008 at 11:54 pm
Good Morning Martha, I'm a business woman like you, and we have the Professional Womens's Club, we have speakers and it's informative. It's always a good thing for business women to be involved with these groups. I'm so glad that you blogged your pictures of your trip to San Diego. I would have just loved to hop on the plane with you and come along. How exciting for you to meet all the Powerful Womens in the world. I consider you to be one of those Powerful Women too!
Betsy
Posted by: Betsy Mech | October 9th, 2008 at 2:52 am
Great, Martha, Sophie is the perfect individual to introduce to such an event. She contributed something everyone could appreciate and vice versa.
You are always thinking of good things.
Posted by: Margie | October 9th, 2008 at 4:54 am
You are a leader and powerful and I can't help but admire you. I am always delighted to know that you have received an award or attended a meeting such as this one. I am proud to be one of your loyal followers. Trish
Posted by: Trish | October 9th, 2008 at 5:06 am
Wow - I'd love to have yoga in a room like that! Sounds like it was a fantastic event.
Posted by: Tabitha (From Single to Married) | October 9th, 2008 at 5:11 am
Hi Martha;
Maybe if the Powerful Women of the world were in charge of many of those banks, we wouldn't have the global economic crisis that we have now.
Posted by: Julie Mosgrove | October 9th, 2008 at 5:32 am
(testing, testing, 1, 2, 3...I've blogged twice and...n-o-t-h-i-n-g!)
=^..^=
Posted by: Cindy Bricker | October 9th, 2008 at 5:39 am
You were in the RIGHT place. You are truly one of the most powerful women! What a BEAUTIFUL city to have such an event.
Posted by: Fifi Flowers | October 9th, 2008 at 6:16 am
What fun pictures! Looks like a great time.
Posted by: PamperingBeki | October 9th, 2008 at 6:27 am
Hi Martha, Like Cindy Bricker, I posted a comment yesterday at 6:43PM, and it didn't show up on your blog. I'll try again now. This was a really great blog. I was overwhelmed by the fact that so many powerful women were together to discuss current events. I loved the photos and your comments. Thanks for sharing. Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | October 9th, 2008 at 6:28 am
Hi Martha, Like Cindy Bricker, I posted a comment yesterday at 6:43PM, and it didn't show up on your blog. I'll try again now. This was a really great blog. I was overwhelmed by the fact that so many powerful women were together to discuss current events. I loved the photos and your comments. Thanks for sharing. Jan P.S. This comment didn't seem to go through either. Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | October 9th, 2008 at 6:34 am
(...third attempt, here, to post this...)
You definitely belong at this event, Martha! Americans as well as other countries look to you for how-to advice. Your following (women AND men!) have shared their (our) love for your products. All who attended this event are beautiful women, partly due to your individualism, along with your personal inner strength and confidence you exude.
Your Sophie, by the way, is a fine young woman! Her mother and you should be proud! I enjoyed her yoga segment on your show last week. She has such poise and control. She not only has grace, but she is also gracious. This attribute, I feel, makes one also beautiful.
Onward and upward!
=^..^=
Posted by: Cindy Bricker | October 9th, 2008 at 7:07 am
power, wealth and money, words that makes us dream!
just like like our sexy, wonder Martha!
keep doing it Martha! yes keep doing it and doing it and doing it, you sexy good thing!
Posted by: Alexandre | October 9th, 2008 at 8:07 am
I really admire you Martha! I know that you have worked very hard to get where you are today and it hasn't been easy (even if you make it look like it is)
I work for a women who I really admire as well- she actually reminds me a little of you. She has persevered through all kinds of things including what the economy is going thru now.
She had enough courage to start this business on her own and continues to strive for excellance each day.
I wish you the best Martha! I am so happy that you are a great role model for so many young girls ...al the best to you!
Posted by: Diane | October 9th, 2008 at 9:51 am
Well Martha,
You certainly are an important woman, and a speaker for many. I hope the woman at this event were open to helping other women (not the most powerful) in every aspect of life. To be given much is a big responsibility, and much should be given back.
Jeanie Curry - teacher of 5th grade - learner of life!
Posted by: Jeanie Curry | October 9th, 2008 at 10:44 am
What a terrific event. You were in San Diego and you didn't call? I'm hurt. Kidding
I wish I had paid more attention to what was going on in my fair city last week... I would have enjoyed immensely!
Posted by: RecipeGirl | October 9th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
I say groom Sophie to take the reins one day at MSLO, she'd do you proud!
Good to see you in my state again Martha but you are 400 miles to short to reach my neck of the woods!
Enjoy your weekend ahead.
Pam from California
Posted by: Pam from California | October 9th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Martha,
Yoga at those conferences is a fantastic idea. The intensity calls for a good healthy break.
It should be recommended to all conferences organizers. I believe that is why so many hotels have gyms now.
Imagine: Lady Bird Johnson never had the delight of attending this kind of conference. It reminds us to learn from each other as well as to honor the women who pioneered alone for so many years before us. We owe them so much.
Warren Buffet has stepped up to lead during this current capital crisis. I think that he is a good leader.
Posted by: Teresa Touey | October 9th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
Warren Buffet is my husband's hero. To be that close to him and to hear him speak would be amazing. If you have ever seen the audience on an Oprah Show give away, that would be what my husband would look if he was in the same room as Mr Buffet.
Posted by: Ann Connolly | October 10th, 2008 at 9:33 am
Great pictures. Thanks for sharing, as always.
I was struck by the picture of Billie Jean King. She looks great, but still I was shocked. I will always remember her as she looked in the early 70's in her match up against that guy---can't remember his name. Anyway, glad you were able to snap a pic of Ms King and post it.
Posted by: mary | October 11th, 2008 at 11:23 am
I am curious what the three books are on the yoga mats?
Posted by: Maureen M | October 11th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
a women's gathering!!-is there anything better?
I hope your Yoga instruction inspired many others to begin a practice too!
Namaste,
MB
Posted by: MaryBeth | October 11th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
Martha,
How exciting to read about everything that's being done for women. It was neat to see Warren Buffet was in "good company" with the group. Also, your niece, Sophie, is lovely . . even more so in person, I imagine. I'm making my FIRST trip to NY soon and received your confirmation of ticket requests for 10/28. I remain hopeful. Let's face it, 57 years is way too long to experience NY. Oh well, better late than never. Thanks for all you do.
Karen
Posted by: Karen Noll | October 12th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Dear Martha,
For some reason I woke up this morning and thought I needed to write you a letter. I'm not sure you will ever read this, but I'm taking the chance anyway.
I don't belong to any of the "most" groups in America or the world, but I am a devoted wife and loving mother who lives life to make the world a more beautiful place.
My personal goal is to create something that beautifies the world every day. The wonderful world we have been given is a creation and everything it holds gives us each an opportunity to create. I am sure this is one of the reasons I have admired you for so long. You absolutely make beautiful everthing around you.
My family is about to lose everything we have ever worked for. I know that we are just another family in a long list of families affected by the housing bubble and the trickle down effect, but like you, I have worked every minute of my life to make the world and my home a more beautiful place. I am literally dying inside at the thought of walking away from it all. I have 4 beautiful children, 3 adopted, and I can't hardly look at them knowing that their home, the house we built for their childhood memories, will be sitting empty to rot until the market can turn around unless we can figure out a way to keep it. I am talented, creative and put my heart into everything I do. I was just thinking that perhaps I might have something that you might appreciate and that maybe your knowing I exist might offer some opportunity for my talents and abilities.
If you read this, take a look at my blogs and let me know if you think I have anything to offer in a way that can help my family survive the present economic nightmare.
I love what you do and know that life is made by opportunity. I'm hoping I get one.
Thanks for reading,
From my heart,
Rachele Funk
http://www.theinkboutique.blogspot.com
Posted by: Rachele | October 12th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Dear Martha,
What a wonderful event! As I aspire to make a difference with my art this occasion seemed like a beautiful occasion to speak to people who have also make a positive difference in the lives of many people.
Thank you for sharing.
Suzan.
Posted by: Suzan Blackman | October 23rd, 2008 at 8:58 am