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Emmy-Nominated TV Host Sherrod Visits UWG’s Women Empowering Women Event Share this page
The University of West Georgia’s annual Women Empowering Women event urged attendees to turn their ideas into action, reminding the packed room that IMPACT wasn’t just this year’s theme – it was a call to action to innovate boldly, build momentum and champion the kind of progress that sparks real advocacy, change and lasting transformation.
What began in 2016 as a small luncheon held at Tanner Health System has expanded into a dynamic, half-day conference bringing together students, professionals and community leaders to inspire action and leadership. The event’s continuing success is due in part to the contributions of community partners, including Tanner Health and West Georgia Woman magazine.
“This year is especially meaningful for us as we celebrate the 10th edition of this event,” said Dr. Christopher Johnson, dean of the Richards College of Business, which hosted the event. “Women Empowering Women has grown into a signature program, and that speaks volumes about the strong partnerships we have both on campus and in our community. It's such a great pleasure to have so many distinguished guests with us and to see the continued impact this program is making.”
The conference kicked off with a panel of women in leadership. Panelists included Brittany Best, vice president of capital markets, GreenSky; Jill Anelli, senior vice president and chief human resources officer for Tanner Health; Tyler Lanier, sales representative with Procter & Gamble; Dr. A. Rebekah Teal, UWG lecturer of law, ethics, management and entrepreneurship; and Beth Johnson, UWG’s first lady.
Breakout sessions were presented by Dr. Hope Udombon, administrative director of UWG’s WebMBA, who presented “Leading from Where You Are;” Bridgette Stewart, UWG’s chief wellness officer, who spoke on “Holistic Health;” and Beth Johnson, who also facilitated a breakout session on “Community Impact.”
At a university that is 68 percent female, UWG President Dr. Michael Johnson said that leadership isn’t just about agreeing with everyone in the room – it’s also about having the courage to stand up, to speak up and to lead.
“Your voices shape our classrooms,” he shared. “Your ideals fuel our progress, and your aspirations help define what we are trying to build. I think this luncheon brings new faces into the room, and I’m grateful that you're here, because your presence underscores the strength of this community. The conversations I’ve heard around the tables, the connections being made, and the courage shown are all part of those shared experiences that all contribute to the culture where women lead confidently and support one another boldly.”
Egypt Sherrod – a nationally recognized leader in real estate, design and women’s empowerment whose work inspires purpose-driven success – is an embodiment of that spirit, and UWG welcomed her as its featured speaker for the event. The media mogul sat down with Taylor Bryant, clinical associate professor of public relations, and more than 200 attendees to impart her wisdom and lessons learned from her life and career that has spanned radio to realty – most recently HGTV’s top-rated hit, “Married to Real Estate,” which she hosted with her husband, Mike.
“Impact is recognizing that we are much more than our residence, our bank accounts or our bios,” Sherrod shared. “It’s the number of souls we touch during our very brief time here. It’s about the connections that we make, the relationships, the bonds that we build and the legacy that we leave.”
photography by Hailey Wilkinson
Egypt Sherrod: Deep IMPACT
“What happens when we find our joy and really exist at our heart center? We start attracting things. We don't have to chase them. We start attracting what we want.”
“Success is not measured in dollars and cents. The true measure of success is happiness and joy. Instead of focusing so much on creating multiple streams of income, you should be creating first multiple streams of joy.”
“Investment is you calculating the future benefit of a sacrifice you make. What are you willing to sacrifice today to have a greater outcome tomorrow? Who are you willing to become today to have more meaningful relationships and a better outcome tomorrow?”
“Stop apologizing for standing in your power. We deserve to sit at the table and to have our voices be heard entirely.”
“When we lose an opportunity, a window opens that allows us to fly, whereas before you were walking in and out of a door you didn’t even own. If you take a leap of faith, you'll have an opportunity to discover that you’ve had wings all along.”
“Leaning into fear doesn’t mean that there is an absence of fear. It means that when you decide to turn and face it, it starts to dissipate. Every time you turn and face it, you start to fear a little bit less.”
“When we can stay in that humble mindset, we’re constantly going to have opportunities that pour into us and flow to us.” Pictured with Dr. Christopher Johnson.
“Be a vessel that’s constantly pouring out and pouring into, but not to the point of where you have an empty cup.” Pictured with Taylor Bryant.