"Celebrating Women 2010," the 29th Women's Day at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus, gets under way at 7:30 a.m. Thursday, May 20, in the campus' Community Center.
The featured speaker for the 2010 Women’s Day will be Shannon Doyle, Miss Pennsylvania 2009. Doyle is a third-year medical student at the Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. She received academic honors in her first and second years of medical school and has been accepted into many honor societies, including the Pathology and Foundations of Clinical Medicine. She is an accomplished dancer in tap, jazz, lyrical and ballet.
Dedicated to helping children who are ill, Doyle promotes “Home Away from Home: Enriching the Lives of Hospitalized Children,” a program that strives to create a more welcoming and comfortable atmosphere for terminally-ill children during their stays at the hospital. In addition, she is an advocate and fundraiser for the Children’s Miracle Network, and has written a children’s book, "Just the Way God Made Me," a compassionate narrative teaching children to overcome life’s challenges. All profits from the book will benefit the Children’s Miracle Network.
Other Women’s Day workshops include: “T-Minus Nine and Counting,” a behind-the-scenes talk about all of the things that have to go right in the last nine minutes before a space shuttle launch, presented by David Meredith, Penn State Fayette associate professor of engineering; “Overcoming the Agony of De-Feet,” a discussion of foot-related topics like heel pain, bunions, hammer toes and more will be addressed by podiatrist William Ainsley; and “What Do I Want to Be When I Grow Up,” presented by Sharon Klay about the academic journey that led her to become president and winemaker at Christian W. Klay Winery. There also will be the reveal of the Cecchini Advanced Center for Dentistry 2009 Makeover Winner.
More than 40 area agencies and businesses will be represented in the Community Service and Informational Fair. Women’s Day participants can obtain information about services and volunteer opportunities these organizations provide at several times during the course of the day.
Women’s Day Chair Tina Reed said, “Women’s Day on campus has had a tremendous following for 28 years, and this year’s event promises to be another great success. The guest speakers in the program will certainly engage our participants and provide tips and thought-provoking information that attendees will take home with them. Miss Pennsylvania 2009, Shannon Doyle, is a medical student with a passion to help terminally-ill children. Her presentation is sure to be inspiring. And, one of the popular activities of the day is the Community Service and Informational Fair. At this point, the number of agencies and businesses participating is already nearly a dozen more than last year.”
Registration for Women’s Day is required and participation is limited, so a first-come, first-served policy applies. Registration by May 14 is $20; after May 14 the cost is $25. For more information or to register, call 724-430-4144.