Winona State University’s Women of Wellness (WOW) 2024 conference provided insights and resources to address the stress and overwhelm of daily life. Through a vibrant array of interactive sessions, health and wellness experts shared well-being strategies, all aimed at uplifting women professionals.
This dynamic event was a collaborative effort between Winona State and the Rochester Art Center, featuring expert-led sessions and empowering experiences designed to enhance mental health and women’s wellness journeys.
Internationally acclaimed artist, Anne Labovitz, gave the opening keynote “The Nexus of Well-Being and Art,” which set a powerful tone for the day and continued with amazing interactive art that captured the life stories of the 120 attendees.
In the heart of downtown Rochester, the Rochester Art Center was the perfect backdrop to support a culture of care and coming together among students, working professionals, and adult learners in our region. The Rochester Art Center Grand Lobby venue served as an amazing stage under the canopy of Ms. Labovitz’s towering 35’ wide by 40’ high art installation, titled “Will to Meaning.”
WOW featured other wellness topics including:
- Holistic Leadership (Terri Allred)
- Sound Bowls for Calm (Natalie Jo Baker)
- Neuroscience Unveiled (Haeli Gerardy)
- Mindfulness Is Your Superpower (Pam Whitfield)
Sessions were designed to raise curiosity about work-life integration, courageous challenges, the power of vulnerability, and the resources to renew and revive one’s life.
Praise for the 2024 WOW Conference
Facilitating Sound Bowls for Calm at the WOW conference was a profound experience. Guiding participants through this immersive journey of relaxation and nervous system regulation was deeply rewarding.
The soothing vibrations of singing bowls created a space for inner peace and rejuvenation. It was an honor to offer attendees a moment of respite and self-care amidst the conference’s exploration of the nexus of well-being and art.
Conference attendees also commented:
What a conference! I left with so much knowledge on my own personal wellness and how important it is to take the time to care for myself. I can be a better human if I am well.
The WOW conference contributed to my personal well-being as well as my professional self-growth and helped me return to work refreshed!
This conference is a must for the career women looking to prioritize her wellness more in her day to day and wants to explore what well-being means to them and connect with other like-minded women!
Worth every penny! You are worth it! We are nothing without our wellness!
Today’s conference assured me and encouraged me to “keep going” while being authentic, so I can be better and be present for others.
I am leaving feeling empowered and refreshed.
It was an awesome experience for bonding with other women in search of self-care.
The WOW conference was a transformative, engaging experience, empowering women from diverse backgrounds to unite, network, share knowledge, and inspire one another towards holistic well-being.
The WOW conference was a great opportunity to learn, connect with amazing women, and be inspired. I loved hearing from and seeing Anne Labovitz’s work and how she thoughtfully connected the subjects of art and well-being. I highly recommend!
One important key point I will take away from the 2024 WOW conference is to continue to thrive and let my failures turn into new great chapters that will overflow with greatness and motivation.
The 2024 WOW conference was made possible by sponsorships from KIMT 3, Rochester Women Magazine, WSU Foundation, Olmsted Medical Center, Mayo Clinic, Well-Being Index, Flourish Consulting, and Rochester Local.
Plans are underway at Winona State to respond to the continued demand and offer more wellness programs in the future.
