DES MOINES, Iowa — Hundreds of Iowa's young women came together on Saturday for the 2024 Many Shades of Color Young Women's Conference.
The conference is hosted by Hip-Hope to empower young girls and provide a community to girls of all ages, with a mission "To see confident young women valuing themselves as equal contributors to society overcoming obstacles that stand in the way of their success."
Throughout the conference, girls listened to different keynote speakers and participated in break-out activities. Leaders of the conference said an event can help provide lifelong skills.
"We have to think long term. So, I want to make sure that they are equipped and ready to think long term. And think about how to set themselves up to walk and live in their purpose as well," Keystone speaker Rochelle Wilson said.
Some of Saturday's speakers were even once attendees of the conference, speaking on how the organization and conference like today's have impacted their lives.
An attendee also told Local 5 about today's event.
"It taught me how to be myself and how like, my voice was heard. And I liked the speeches that they had, because it was like empowering," the attendee said.