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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, FEBRUARY 1, 2005 “COMPASSION” THEME DRAWS RECORD REGISTRATIONS WASHINGTON, DC – At a time when advertising slogans suggest that “life is random” and people should make instantaneous, individualistic decisions, a conference on women’s spirituality at Washington National Cathedral February 18–19 that advocates a complex, considered view of “compassion” is drawing a record number of registrations More than 1,000 women have already registered for “Sacred Circles: A Celebration of Women’s Spirituality 2005,” which is being held on President’s Day weekend. “Women are calling to sign up for the ‘compassion’ conference, so clearly the theme is resonating with them,” says Grace Ogden, senior program manager at the Cathedral and conference convener. A racially and religiously diverse committee of 15 women chose the conference theme, “expanding our views of what compassion means.” “Early registrants seem particularly interested that fashion designer Eileen Fisher will give a keynote about what compassion looks like in the workplace, which Fisher defines as ‘listening and collaboration,’” notes Ogden. Other keynote speakers Friday night and early Saturday morning include Marianne Williamson, the bestselling author of self-help books on themes such as moving from fear to forgiveness; Zainab Salbi, an Iraq native honored by President Clinton for her organization’s work with women on the front lines of 18 war-torn countries; and Sharon Salzberg, a meditation teacher who, together with Jack Kornfield, introduced many Americans to Buddhism. Salzberg, who has led retreats on compassion worldwide for more than 30 years, will also lead a workshop that is the top draw among early registrants. Several others of the three dozen workshops—on topics ranging from money to leadership at work—are already fully booked. “Our planning committee felt inundated by media messages that individualism, consumption and aggression are what will protect us and make us happy,” says Ogden. “We hope instead to inspire women to bring a more loving set of impulses forward into the wider world and to give them some practical tips on how to do it.” The Sacred Circles conference, which typically draws 1,000 participants, has been offered seven times since it was first conceived in 1996. For more information, contact Grace Ogden, (202) 537-6240 or gogden@cathedral.org. |