Conversations with Exceptional Women to Examine Hot Button Issues
STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK
The 16th annual Conversations with Exceptional Women is returning to Sun Valley in August after a brief sojourn in Boise.
The program, presented by The Alturas Institute, will feature two days of conversations from national and international women leaders about pressing issues confronting women, the nation and the world.
This year’s theme is “The Pursuit of Happiness—For We the People,” and it will be held Aug. 27 and 28 at The Argyros in Ketchum. Early bird tickets are now on sale at https://www.theargyros.org/.
“With all the craziness in the world today—and as America celebrates its 250th anniversary—I believe it has never been more important to sit down together, to listen and to speak candidly about what this country means, and what it needs, and what We the People are going to do about it,” said Dr. David Adler, a constitutionally renowned constitutional scholar and president of The Alturas Institute.
The lineup so far includes:
Dr. Fiona Hill, a former national security adviser to three presidents, one of the world’s foremost experts on international relations and author of “Mr. Putin: Operative in the Kremlin”
Dr. Ellen Ochoa, astronaut who became the first Latina director of the Johnson Space Center
Dr. Joanne Freeeman, an award-winning Yale historian and Alexander Hamilton expert who offers fascinating glimpses into the physical brawls, canings and duels in the antebellum U.S. Congress through her book “The Field of Blood: Violence in Congress and the Road to Civil War.” She also authored “Affairs of Honor: National Politics in the New Republic,” which explores the political culture and unwritten rules of America’s founding generation.
Dr. Caitlin Gustafson, a rural Idaho family physician and president of the board of the Idaho Coalition for Safe Healthcare Foundation
Dr. Caroline Heldman, national TV talk show commentator
Award-winning filmmaker Christine Walker, whose films include “American Splendor and “Backroads,” about an indigenous woman in an abusive marriage
Boise filmmaker Karen Day, who focuses on humanitarian issues in Third World countries
Golf broadcaster Lisa Cornwell, author of “Troublemaker,” which recounts winning four Arkansas Women’s State Golf Championships before becoming the first post-Title IX scholarship player at the University of Arkansas
Michele Coffey, one of the nation’s preeminent lawyers specializing in investigations by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
Lisa Morton, former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader who now teaches Pilates instructors around the globe.
Other speakers will be added in the coming week.
“ ‘Conversations with Exceptional Women,’ and a “few good men” welcomes women and men as part of the broader discussion that distinguishes this conference,” said Adler. “It’s an event that invites speakers and audience members to engage in fun, stimulating and eye-opening conversations across two full days about issues that envelope our lives and encourage serious contemplation of the options and choices that will promote, as the Declaration of Independence famously stated, ‘the Pursuit of Happiness’ for ‘We the People.’ ”
The Alturas Institute is a 501 3 C educational, nonprofit organization created to advance democracy, the Constitution, civil education equal protection and women’s rights.