CONFERENCE HISTORY:
1st conference
Theme: “Deaf Women United”
Year: 1985
Where: Santa Monica, CA| GLAD
Keynote speaker: Barbara Brauer
Chair of conference: Marcella Meyers
Founders of DWU | First Board of Directors: Chris “CB” Buchholz, Allie Joiner, Marcia (Kessler) Nowak, Sheila Conlon-Mentkowski, Dr. Betty G. Miller, Sandra Ammons and Gwendolyn (Speaks) Trujillo.
2nd conference
Theme: “Diversity… Growing Together”
Year: 1987
Where: Fairfax, Virginia | George Washington University
Keynote speaker: Barbara Jean Wood
Chairwoman of conference: Kathy Jankowski
New Board of Directors: Elizabeth Aviles, Lois Hoover, Kathy Jankowski and Marilyn Knetzer
3rd conference
Theme: “New Perspectives”
Year: 1990
Where: Boston, Massachusetts | Bentley College
Keynote speaker: Roz Rosen
Chairwoman of conference: Yvonne Dunkle
New Board of Directors: Nancy J. Bloch, Nancy Creighton, Martha Scribner Kasarda, Donna Platt and Jaqueline S. Roth.
4th Conference
Theme: “Renaissance, Rebirth, Renewal”
Year: 1993
Where: New Brunswick, New Jersey | Brunswick Hilton Tower Center
Keynote speaker: Gertie Galloway, Rosie Serna, and Sharon Kay Wood
Chairwoman of conference: Eileen Forestal
New Board of Directors: Lisa E. Flynn, Vicki Hurwitz, Cassandra Boryslawski, Susan Jackson and Luanne Kowalski
5th Conference
Theme: “In Celebration of Self”
Year: 1995
Where: Seattle, Washington | Hyatt Regency Hotel
Keynote speaker: Kathy Jankowski
Chairwoman of conference: Marilyn J Smith
New Board of Directors: Genie Gertz, MJ Bienvenu, Marsha Northrup and Colleen D. Daviton
6th Conference
Theme: “Together We Accomplish More”
Year: 1997
Where: Rochester, New York | Hyatt Regency
Keynote speaker: Laurene Gallimore
Chairwoman of conference: Colleen Daviton
New Board of Directors: Bridget Bonheyo, Lisa Jacobs, Sandra McLennon, Damara Paris and Tina Jo Breindel
7th Conference
Theme: “Leading Deaf Women into the Next Century”
Year: 1999
Where: San Diego, California | Catamaran Resort
Keynote speaker: Sharon Carter
Chairwoman of conference: Tina Jo Breindel
New Board of Directors: Teresa T. Murbach, Allie Joiner, Lisa Furr, Jo Bienvenu
8th Conference
Theme: “A Kaleidoscope of Deaf Women”
Year: 2001
Where: Austin, Texas | Omni Austin
Keynote speaker:Dr. Rachel Stone and Astrid Goodstein
Chairwoman of conference:Jo Bievenu
New Board of Directors: Darlene Zangara, Elissa Olsen, Kubby Rashid, and Deb Kuglitsch
9th Conference
Theme: “Women Being Together”
Year: 2003
Where: Sioux Falls, South Dakota | Holiday Inn City Centre
Keynote speaker: Ann Marie Mickelson
Chairwoman of conference: Deb Kuglitsch
New Board of Directors: Jo Bienvenu, Melissa Draganac-Hawk, and Janna Montagnino
10th Conference (317)
Theme: “The Key to Success”
Year: 2005
Where: Ellicott City, Maryland | Turf Valley Resort, Spa and Conference Center
Keynote speaker: Tiffany Williams-Granfors
Chairwoman of conference: Lori Bonheyo
New Board of Directors: Onudeah “Oni” Nicolarakis, Jennifer Ann Cook “JAC”
11th Conference (100)
Theme: ”Eyes Up New Roads”
Year: 2007
Where: New Orleans, Louisiana | Hilton New Orleans
Keynote speaker: Phyllis Frelich
Chairwoman of conference: Pauline Wood
New Board of Directors: Sheli Barber, Shelley Oishi, Damara Paris, Stephanie Summers and Peggy Ann Wenger
12th Conference (170)
Theme:”Honoring Our Deaf Women Pioneers”
Year: 2009
Where: Portland, Oregon | Red Lion Jantzen Beach
Keynote speaker: Miriam Richards
Chairwoman of conference: Damara Paris
New Board of Directors: Adele Ann Eberwein, Brenda Schertz, Shilpa Hanumantha and Stephanie Summers
13th Conference
Theme: “Your Path: The Way Life Should Be”
Year: 2011
Where: Portland, Maine |
Keynote speaker: Arlene Kelly
Chairwoman of conference: Brenda Schertz
New Board of Directors: Keri Darling, Bethany Gehman, Alana Beal, Ami Tsuji-Jones, Arlene Gunderson
14th Conference
Theme: Visualize, Innovate, Act
Year: 2013
Where: San Antonio, Texas | Marriott Plaza San Antonio
Keynote Speaker: Melissa Draganac- Hawk
Co-Chair of conference: Shelley Oishi and Peggy Ann Wenger
New Board of Directors: Tamara Suiter Ocuto, Melissa Huber, Sabra Carlin, Caroline Koo, Amanda Tuite, Karina Pedersen
15th Conference
Theme: Herstory: Growing & Evolving
Year: 2015
Where: Berkeley, California | Claremont Resort & Spa
Keynote Speaker: Ella Mae Lentz, Flavia Fleischer & Najma Stephanie Johnson
Co-Chairs of conference: JAC Cook & Karina Pedersen
New Board of Directors: Jazzy Jones, Lisa Hermatz, Lissette Molina Wood, Soccoro Moore
17th Conference
Theme: Viva Miami
Year: 2017
Where: Miami, Florida
Keynote Speaker: MJ Beinvenu, Claudia Gordon, Roberta “Bobbi” Cordano, and Debbie Meranski Blumenson
Co-Chairs of conference: June McMahon & Lissette Molina Wood
New Board of Directors: Jessica Madsen, Kim Minard, Kristina Bernhardt
18th Conference
Theme: Shine Your Own Light- #DWUPHX2019
Year: 2019
Where: Phoenix, Arizona
Keynote Speaker: Sherri Collins and Storm Smith
Co-Chairs of conference: Kim Minard & Belinda Carroll
New Board of Directors: Kim Minard, Renca Dunn, Emily Catalfamo, Rosevetta Jackson, Nicolette Obidos, Julie Spigner, Julia Anderson