By DENESHIA GRAHAM
The Post and Courier
Originally Published on: 01/16/03
Page: C1

The West Ashley-based Center for Women is preparing for its 10th annual "Centering on Women" conference, featuring keynote speaker Darla Moore, renowned businesswoman and South Carolina native.
Scheduled for Feb. 1, the conference will be held at the College of Charleston's Lightsey Conference Center in downtown Charleston.

From 8 a.m. until 2 p.m., the conference will feature a variety of enrichment workshops with topics geared toward women, said Jennet Robinson Alterman, the center's executive director.

Workshop topics include "Managing Difficult Conversations," "Starting Your Own Business," "Health and Hormones," which will discuss recent research in hormone replacement therapy, and "Girls Just Want to Have Funds," a session on financial planning.

"It's an opportunity for some professional and personal development for women in the community," Alterman said.

At 1 p.m. during the luncheon, separate from the workshops, Moore will speak on the topic "My Life as a Woman in Business."

A native of Lake City, Moore is a partner in Rainwater, Inc., one of the largest private investment firms in America. In addition to being affiliated with a number of prestigious corporate and not-for-profit boards of directors, Moore serves on the South Carolina Governor's Commission on Teacher Quality, the Chamber of Commerce Excellence in Education Council and the Commission on Higher Education Business Advisory Council. She was appointed to former President Bush's education transition team.

In 1998, USC named its business school the Darla Moore School of Business after her donation of $25 million to the school.

Most recently, Moore, a University of South Carolina business school graduate, has been addressing economic development in the state.

"Darla Moore is a business woman who has been recognized nationally for her exemplary achievement in the business world," Alterman said.

The conference is limited to a maximum of 300 people, so interested persons are encouraged to register soon. For those who register before Jan. 24, the conference, including lunch, is $60 for center members, $70 for nonmembers, and $40 for students with valid identification.

After Jan. 24, all prices increase by $10. For those only interested in attending the luncheon with Moore, the cost before Jan. 24 is $50, and $55 after. All proceeds from the conference go to directly support the center's services, she said.

A nonprofit organization, the center was founded in 1990 with the goals of enriching personal and professional success in the lives of Lowcountry women. Some of the services are provided free of charge, including support groups, individual peer counseling, information and referrals to other resources, and educational outreach programs.

Located at 531 Savannah Highway, the center is open from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Men also can attend the conference. Preference for the luncheon will be given to those who attend the morning workshops.