International Women’s Day Conference Focuses on Making a Difference

Key speakers at an International Women's Day conference held on campus Friday encouraged women to help pursue their own dreams through giving back. "Are you feeling stuck or lost or unmotivated? Volunteer for one day and serve someone else," said Barbara Field, a senior analyst in UC San Diego's Business and Financial Services said. "You never know what you will get back in return." Highlights of the conference, which was held in the Price Center, also included displays about inspiring females around the world and a spoken word performance. This year's theme, "The Gender Agenda: Gaining Momentum," was addressed through the personal stories and words of encouragement by Field and Anita Raj, professor of medicine in UC San Diego's School of Medicine. Field shared her experiences about how she overcame obstacles in her career. "When I moved here in the late '80s, being a writer in San Diego was kind of like being a surfer in Aspen." She later joined UC San Diego and worked in different areas on campus. Her work and involvement in community service enriched her life and fueled her passions, she said.