Psychology junior and co-chair of the Women’s Initiative for Leadership Development Connie Victor said the conference is a great way for students to network, especially since it is held in a familiar place.

“I think it’s important to have those connections and opportunities right here on campus,” Victor said.

Victor said leadership is a huge part of who she is, and she loves having the chance to teach other women what she has learned as a student and as a WILD member. She also recognizes that she herself still has much to learn.

“A lot of what the speakers said this year hit home for me,” Victor said, “they changed my viewpoint on a lot of difficult situations.”

She said both WILD and the Women’s Leadership Conference have encouraged her to do things she normally would not have done to get to where she is today.

“I wouldn’t be here without the networking system and support I’ve received,” Victor said.

Alumna and former MSU basketball player Lauren Aitch was one of this year’s speakers who inspired Victor .

Aitch is a successful fashion entrepreneur, and founded The Aitch Foundation , which raises funds and generates awareness for research into early detection of hidden cancers.

Her speech on Sunday encouraged women to have integrity, accountability and commitment in everything they do, and was met with an explosion of applause.

Journalism junior Megdelawit Abebe said Aitch is a well-versed, well-rounded woman who came to give knowledge to other women who have that same potential.

“I think this is important because a lot of times when we think of leaders we think of masculine qualities, we see men portrayed this way in the media and put on a pedestal all around us,” Abebe said.

Her hope is that the conference will provide resources and exposure to leadership through local women who have been successful.

“I think women need to be exposed to these same leadership qualities so they can have equal footing and provide a more diverse view to be better leaders for tomorrow,” Abebe said.

Lydia Weiss , the educational program coordinator at the Women’s Resource Center , said with every year the conference aspires to empower women students to view themselves as leaders and to make their community a better place.

Weiss said the keynote speakers are a big part of that empowerment.

“They have overcome some difficult situations and still found themselves to be powerful leaders,” Weiss said.

She said this shows the conference participants that life is going to throw tough situations at you, but there are always ways to persevere and get through them.