The theme of the NJ Governor’s Conference for Women on May 12 in Atlantic City is “Shaping the Future” and it comes at a time when the future has never been brighter for American women.

Women like Hillary Clinton, who left 18 million cracks in the proverbial glass ceiling in her run for the Democratic presidential nomination; Sarah Palin, the first woman on a Republican presidential ticket; and New Jersey’s own Lisa Jackson, the first African-American woman nominated to head the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, proved women in positions of importance are here to stay. Put another way, the term “Year of the Woman” is redundant since 2008 has shown women will play leading roles in every year moving forward.

But that doesn’t mean there isn’t more work to do.

The Department of Community Affairs’ Division on Women (DOW) is proud to be part of the state’s largest, most dynamic women’s conference to encourage and empower women to be all they can be, whether it’s staying at home to care for their family, running a Fortune 500 company or anything in between. Like prominent suffragettes from yesteryear such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott, we in the DOW and Governor Corzine recognize how important women are to families, communities and businesses and understand the need to support the women who fill those roles.

Therefore, women who participate in the NJ Governor’s Conference for Women, which will again be held at the Atlantic City Convention Center, will be able to network and engage with experts in such fields as healthy living, leadership, personal finance and starting a business. They’ll receive health screenings and advice at an all-day Health Fair and hear from keynote speaker Maya Angelou, the renowned poet, author and Nobel Prize winner.

Because economic downturns often hit women particularly hard, the DOW has also added sessions specifically on the economy. Our expert panelists will address the financial challenges facing New Jersey and the nation, as well as what women can do to better position themselves and their families to weather the current economic storm. Participants will learn how to diversify their investments, cut household spending, access state assistance programs and better prepare for retirement. In addition, panelists will offer advice on switching careers in an economic downturn or reentering the workforce after an absence and provide insight on what to expect, how to effectively make the change, what resources are available, and why it’s important to create a personal network. The sessions will be collaborative as participants will be encouraged to ask questions about the issues they are facing.

The self-sustaining conference is funded entirely through sponsorships and registration fees. Sponsorship opportunities still exist and if women register by Wednesday, Feb. 4, the cost is $99 a person, which is significantly less than the regular $125 a person fee. Senior citizens and students can attend at reduced rates. The conference fee includes a networking reception the evening before at the Sheraton Hotel, right across from the Atlantic City Convention Center.

The NJ Governor’s Conference for Women is about bringing together women from all walks of life, it’s about changing lives and sharing inspiration, it’s about stepping up to the plate and becoming part of the solution. The Conference is about helping women find their passion and reach for their dreams despite obstacles such as the difficult economy.

To learn more about this year’s conference highlights, register or become a sponsor, please visit us online at www.njwomensconference.com or call 609-278-7403.