Women’s Leadership Conference Digs into Politics, Business and the Human Condition

Aug 22, 2017 10:00 AM ET

Women’s Leadership Conference digs into politics, business and the human condit…

By: Erin Ryan

All we need is hope

And for that we have each other

And for that we have each other

We will rise

Opening the 2017 Women’s Leadership Conference, the young voices of the Musicology Academy blew the roof off the MGM Grand. They sang of struggle and triumph, prevailing themes of the testimony given by speakers and attendees of the two-day event. For the 11th year, it featured diverse thought leaders sharing professional and sometimes deeply personal revelations.

“The issue of women’s equality in all aspects of society has taken on increasing importance,” said Phyllis A. James, MGM Resorts International’s executive vice president and chief diversity and corporate responsibility officer. She pointed to protests around the world in the wake of the U.S. presidential election and all that had unfolded since. “Huge inequities remain,” she said, referencing the United Nations’ goal to end all forms of discrimination against all women and girls by 2030. Not only was it the right thing, James said, it was the smart thing. “The world needs the talent and the power of women. ... It’s our collective responsibility to continue to demand change and widen and shatter the glass in the artificial ceiling.”

Visit the Las Vegas Sun to read more and view a gallery of photos.