Courageous Women I Met at BlogHer

There were many brave, generous and kind women at BlogHer. The 22 women reading at the Friday night Keynote were amazing. Several of them had us in tears.

Stephanie Quilao who spoke on the “Coming Out” panel had this to say:

The big theme that came out of the session was that having the bravery to come out on your blog helps others feel less alone, and again, that is why I love blogging, the power to comfort and help others on this journey we call life.

I met Crystal McKee my first night at BlogHer (July 17). Her kindness is an inspiration.

Crystal and Amanda

I had the opportunity to mention the important Ask and Share health site EmpowerHer.com to Crystal and other generous women I met at BlogHer who are willing to share information about health conditions in order to help all women. These women included Shannon Lowe Rocks in My Dryer, @slackermama Marilyn, and Erica Barrie.

@whymommy Susan Niebur has gathered twenty brave mothers to share stories. Susan was on a great panel “Blogging Community as Healing Force” where I was also able to meet Laurie Kingston and LoveBabz.

Susan Niebur

Women helping other women get in shape were a pleasure, including @DebRoby Debra, and Sahar Aker Fat Fighter TV.

Stephanie Quilao brought up one of my favorite themes in her Back in Skinny Jeans blog: “I would have enjoyed at least one session that was dedicated to the ‘fabulous and single.'” I too would really like to see a panel on “Single Life” at BlogHer09. It could include the popular blogger and fabulous single mom, Rachel Sarah (caught here on a BlogHer break).

Rachel Sarah Single Mom Seeking

I am happy to say that I was able to meet and begin relationships with a broad spectrum of women.

Non-Mommy Bloggers were well represented. I enjoyed meeting these women: Vanessa Longman @everydaywonders (both Twitter and her blog that was linked here are now private), @lizrizzo (blogged at EverydayGoddess.typepad.com from March 2005 to March 2014) @glossedover Wendy Fenton, @moddivorce Helene Taylor , Stephanie Shkolnik of Fabulously40.com, Kay McFarlane @hermedia (closed her-media.com), Katie Sloan Dornblaser (was blogging on lapetitechic.com, no longer on Twitter), @Bayjb Jessica B (updated from her BlogSpot), @katelin Pretty Sandy Feet, @jamielovely , @freeandflawed Jenn, Melissa Silverstein Women & Hollywood, Jamie Risdon Lentzner Jamie’s Painting & Design, @elkit Elke Sisco, Amanda Wolfe, @Kanter Beth Kanter, @ShannonRenee, @megansmith Megans Minute and @kimberle Petroville. Mary Ostyn is in a category of her own.

There were women helping women in many ways, Elise Bauer provided blog traffic building tips.

Staying through the Unconference on Sunday was a good decision.
There I got to enjoy nuts and bolts discussions with @amnichols The Write Spot, @mamacita Jane Goodwin and others.
I had fun with a mother and daughter team, Catherine Morgan who led a health & wellness session, and her mother, Frances Ellen.

The Unconference provided the smaller group really nice access to the BlogHer Folks, like @dtanton Denise Tanton and Liz Henry. And of course the BlogHer founders, Elisa Camahort, Jory des Jardins and Lisa Stone.

Saturday morning’s keynote provided ample opportunity to meet the speakers. Stacy Morrison, editor-in-chief of Redbook, graciously stayed for about an hour to accommodate the long line of bloggers wanting to meet her. All three women did a great job sharing with us about Hybrid Media. Stacy was particularly captivating.

Linda with Stacy Morrison editor-in-chief of RedBook

Shireen Mitchell captured an audio interview for her blog with Essence Director, Digital Development, Lesley Pinckney following Lesley’s participation in the Hybrid Media keynote.

Shireen Mitchell and Lesley Pinckney

What session would you like to see added to BlogHer09?