Theme: It's About Time

The first-ever TEDxJacksonWomen conference will address the sometimes overwhelming demands that time places on our lives while examining the many time-sensitive issues of particular interest to women working to bring about positive change in our world.

The event will combine a simulcast of speakers from the TEDWomen conference in San Francisco with live speakers in Jackson, giving the event a best-of-both worlds experience that combines world-changing speakers and local visionaries and change-makers.

TEDxJacksonWomen will be held at Coalesce in downtown Jackson, October 27, 2016. Lunch provided by local area food trucks is included in the ticket price.

Old Capitol Inn
226 N State St
Jackson, Mississippi, 39201
United States

St. Brigid's

St. Brigid’s is named for the fifth-century Irish saint who is credited with turning her bath water into beer. While we hope that you don’t expect quite the same degree of miracles out of our group, we think this makes her quite an inspiration! In the spirit of St. Brigid, our repertoire is inspired by and drawn from the traditional songs of Ireland and the British Isles, with a few modern favorites thrown in for good measure and with a couple that are just there to make you smile. Our members – Susan Wellman, Julia Weems, Scott Sexton, Margaret Cupples, and Catherine Bishop – have a variety of musical experience, but we share with our patron saint a love of a great tune, a hot bath, and a well-poured pint.

Cherita Brent

A native of Jackson, Mississippi, Cherita Brent (also known as “Rita B.”) is a professional drummer, radio host and standup comedienne. She began her professional drumming career before the age of 21 and has performed with the likes of D’ Mar and the Nu Funk Society, Grady Champion, KD Brosia, and more. Cherita graduated from Murrah High School in 2005, and in 2006, joined the Army National Guard Band. After graduating from Basic Combat Training in South Carolina, she graduated from the Navy School of Music in Norfolk, Virginia in 2006. She became a Sergeant in the 41st Army Band and recently ended her service in December 2014. While at Jackson State University from 2006-2009, she worked as an on-air personality at WJSU 88.5 FM for three years before joining Mississippi Public Broadcasting where she currently serves as a weekday local radio show host and producer.

Jeanhee Kang

Jeanhee Kang is an inspirational speaker, a community volunteer, a mentor at the Global Learning Center, an advocate of animal rescue shelters and author of Meegook: A Memoir of Redemption. A graduate of the University of Mississippi, Kang founded Underground, Inc., a chain of retail stores in Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia, and South Carolina, starting as a street peddler and eventually turning the business into a multi-million operation. She is a member of the League of Woman Voters of Jackson and the Greater Jackson Partnership, and she is involved in a number of other community, church and education initiatives. Kang privately funds awards and scholarships for academic excellence for teen mothers to encourage them to graduate high school, offering college scholarships to students wishing to continue their education through the Global Learning Center.

Julie Cwikla

Julie Cwikla, Ph.D. holds degrees in Mathematics Education, Applied Mathematics, Chemistry, and Mathematcsi. She serves as Director of Creativity & Innovation in STEM at the University of Southern Mississippi. Working with others she investigates interesting and important questions about STEM learning and careers. Funded by NSF, NASA, W. K. Kellogg Foundation, and others she studies preschool fraction learning, digital technology in the classroom, diversifying STEM career fields, and growing algae on Mars. A recipient of the National Science Foundation’s “Early Career Award” she has directed over $10 million in funded research programs serving children, teachers, and families on the Gulf Coast.

Julie Kuklinski

Julie Kuklinski is the Program Director for the Moore Community House Women in Construction Program. Julie came to the Gulf Coast in May of 2006 as a hurricane relief volunteer rebuilding homes affected by Hurricane Katrina. During this time, she led all-female crews in mold remediation work, demolition work, and all other types of residential construction. Julie’s experiences working in east Biloxi led her to the Women in Construction Program in 2008. She was recognized by the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in 2010 and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Women’s Fund of Mississippi and the Faith in Women Coalition. Additionally, she serves on the DOL Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs Mega Project EEO Committee, DOL Office of Apprenticeship Secretary of Labor’s Advisory Committee on Apprenticeship ad hoc committee for women in apprenticeship, and the Mississippi Apprenticeship Program planning council.

Maisie Brown

Maisie Brown is a 15-year-old freshman at Jim Hill High School where she is enrolled in the International Baccalaureate program. She was named a Duke TIP scholar and National Honor Society member. Maisie is a classically trained pianist. Recently, she wrote an opinion piece for the Jackson Free Press expressing her belief that the Mississippi State Flag should be changed, which led to interviews with the Associated Press, USA Today, and The Guardian.

Neely Carlton

Neely Carlton began her legal and political career in 1994 when, at age 25, she became the youngest ever-elected State Senator in Mississippi history. Understanding the importance of a patient’s voice in healthcare decisions, her legal practice focuses on building patient advocacy coalitions in support of new healthcare technology and innovation. She also helps healthcare entities develop reimbursement strategies and manage regulatory risks at the state and federal levels. Neely understands that building healthcare coalitions can improve the lives of others while respecting the dignity of patients. Often, her work involves strategies for engaging public health and public safety officials. A frequent speaker and writer on advocacy, she was recently featured in Recovery Campus Magazine regarding ways individuals can get involved in public policy. She is a Senior Counsel at Butler Snow, LLP.

Pamela Confer

Pam Confer is a speaker, singer, songwriter, editor, and public relations consultant. She is the founder of Speak BIG!, a communications and public speaking program. She is an accomplished entertainer. Performing with her group, “Jazz Beautiful,” she was voted “Best Local Jazz Artist” by the Jackson Free Press for 2012 and 2013; the Jackson Music Awards’ 2013 and 2015 “Jazz Group of the Year;” and, the MS Jazz Foundation’s 2015 “Jazz Ambassador of the Year.” She was named one of the MS Business Journal’s “Top 50 Leading MS Businesswomen” in 2015, and is a 2016 Girl Scouts of Greater Mississippi “Woman of Distinction.” Confer holds a Master of Public Policy and Administration degree, and is in the dissertation stage of a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration at Jackson State University.