Held on March 13 and 14, the Women of Elon WEekend included breakout sessions focused on the six dimensions of well-being, including a fireside chat with TODAY show nutrition expert Joy Bauer.
The second annual Women of Elon WEekend brought together the Elon community for two days focused on connection, inspiration and transformation. The event centered around the six dimensions of well-being within HealthEU: community, emotional, financial, physical, purpose and social.
The Women of Elon is an intergenerational network that connects members of the Elon community on campus and across the globe.
“When this initiative launched two years ago, the name Women of Elon was intentionally chosen to bring together everyone in the Elon community. But we also recognized the power within the acronym ‘WE.’ WE represents the collective power of women – how we can lead, learn, and thrive together,” said Michelle Wideman ’00, co-chair of the Women of Elon Advisory Council.
Held on March 13 and 14, the WEekend began with a kickoff discussion on authenticity featuring Kathie Niven ’89, president and CEO of Biscuitville, in conversation with Elon Professor of Sociology and Anthropology Alexis Franzese P’29.
Saturday’s programming included breakout sessions covering topics such as mastering LinkedIn, the power of female friendships, managing finances, utilizing soft skills, aging and living fully, protecting your personal brand and using artificial intelligence. A women’s health panel moderated by Dr. Terry Le, university physician, explored the physical, mental and emotional aspects of women’s wellness.
Health and wellness were a major focus of the luncheon fireside chat between President Connie Ledoux Book and nutrition expert Joy Bauer of the TODAY show. Bauer, a featured expert on NBC News Daily and a #1 New York Times bestselling author of 14 books, shared practical advice about nutrition and healthy living.
Speaking to the audience in LaRose Digital Theatre, Bauer encouraged attendees to adopt her “90/10” approach to food — prioritizing healthy choices most of the time while allowing room for enjoyment.
“A lot of people, especially women, they carry a lot of food baggage, and when you allow yourself this percentage or fraction (…) it’s very liberating,” she said.
Recognizing the range of ages in attendance and reinforcing the Women of Elon’s intergenerational focus, Bauer emphasized that health and nutrition evolve.
“Our bodies are not static,” she said. “But I wouldn’t say they betray us; they are evolving. Have a conversation with it and figure out what you can do to feel better is the name of the game.”
During a Q&A session, Bauer addressed audience questions on topics including the increased presence of protein in food products, planning healthy meals, the rise of GLP-1 medications, supplements and ways to reduce plastic use in the kitchen. She also encouraged attendees to look beyond sensational headlines and social media trends when it comes to nutrition advice.
“Get your blood checked annually and then personalize your nutrition according to that, because your body is not TikTok,” she said. “Charismatic people and influencers on Instagram and TikTok and all these other social platforms, they don’t know what’s going on with your insides, but your physician does, and your blood work does.”
Beyond the programming, the WEekend also highlighted the Women of Elon’s ongoing work to support students. One key initiative focuses on increasing the number of students who receive need-based internship support. While 88% of Elon students complete at least one internship, 43% of those internships are unpaid.
Recent support has helped advance that goal. A $250,000 gift from former Elon trustee Bill Herbert ’68 and his wife Marsha helped the Women of Elon surpass their $2.5 million fundraising goal three months ahead of schedule, bringing the total raised for internship support to $2,679,610.
“While the Herbert family’s gift helped push us past the goal, it was the collective power of Women of Elon that made this possible,” said Priscilla Awkard ’95, co-chair of the Women of Elon advisory council.
