Last week we joined the throngs of fourteen-thousand females (and a sprinkling of men folk) at The Women’s Conference in Long Beach. Established as a forum for female small business owners by former Governor George Deukmejian in 1985, the conference has grown substantially under the leadership of California Governor Schwarzenegger and First Lady Maria Shriver; attracting world-renowned speakers and luminaries, and addressing global female issues to sold out crowds.
Tickets this year sold like hot cakes, as it was to be the last conference organized and hosted by Shriver. But the point of the conference was not to ogle well-heeled celebrity attendees, dish about the First Lady’s outfit, or score bag-loads of branded swag—the purpose, as it's always been, was to be inspired, get empowered, and take action.
So here's a selection of simple ways in which women (and men) can do just that.

















Jeff Bridges at Comic Con.Photo by Gage Skidmore via 

Whitney Carpenter with a patient in one of her custom port shirtsAtrium Health 
People at a public library.Image via
Father and child making origami together.Image via
Woman takes a bath.Image via
Older man solving newspaper crossword on a street table.Image via asdf - Photo by Mathias Reding
Happy seniors ride bikes.Image via sdf - Photo by Syda Productions



Men practice mindfulness overlooking the cliffs and ocean.Image via
Man smiles at dusk.Image via sss - Photo by ridofranz