On December 12, the sold-out Massachusetts Conference for Women brought over 11,000 women to Boston for a day of inspiration, connection, and empowerment. The atmosphere was electric, and the speakers delivered unforgettable lessons on courage and confidence—qualities that fuel personal growth, break barriers, and pave the way for others.
From Beverly Johnson’s trailblazing journey to Caitlin Clark’s unwavering belief in herself, and the transformative wisdom of Oprah Winfrey, these stories reflected the power of courage and confidence in action. Here’s what I learned from this extraordinary day.
Beverly Johnson: Courage to Break Barriers
Beverly Johnson, the first Black woman to grace the cover of Vogue in 1974, shared her story of persistence and determination. Told “no” by her modeling sponsor and mentor, she refused to give up and found an alternative path to achieve her dreams. What made her success even more impactful was her integrity—when she left the Ford Modeling Agency to pursue opportunity to achieve the Vogue cover, she made sure not to burn bridges, demonstrating that courage and dignity go hand in hand.
Beverly’s courage didn’t stop with breaking industry barriers. She has also been an outspoken advocate for women, sharing her voice to fight sexual harassment and gender inequality. Her journey underscores that courage isn’t just about personal achievement—it’s about paving the way for others to follow.
Caitlin Clark: Confidence in Action, Inspired by Role Models
Caitlin Clark, Iowa’s basketball sensation, shared her story of rising to the top through belief in herself and trust in her team. Facilitated by Robin Roberts, Caitlin’s conversation revealed that even the most accomplished athletes have moments of doubt. Her solution? Surround herself with people who lift her up and lean on the relationships she’s built through trust and teamwork.
Caitlin also reflected on the importance of role models in shaping her journey. Growing up, she admired family members who competed in sports, learning from their drive and resilience. Most notably, Caitlin looked up to her mother, a successful businesswoman who thrived in a male-dominated industry. Watching her mother break barriers inspired Caitlin to approach her own goals with the same confidence and determination.
Caitlin’s story reinforced two essential lessons: success isn’t the absence of failures, and role models can provide the blueprint for what’s possible. She shared how she’s learned to grow from losses, celebrate wins, and keep striving for excellence. Her advice? Have fun, trust your preparation, and never stop pushing yourself to achieve what others say you can’t.
Oprah Winfrey: Rising to Your Full Potential
The most anticipated moment of the day was Oprah Winfrey’s keynote—and she did not disappoint. Oprah invited us to “come up to the rising,” a phrase that captured the essence of her life’s philosophy: to meet the opportunities and challenges that are always present, waiting for us to step into them.
Her journey began by trusting the voice inside her, a voice that urged her to leave her life of poverty behind and pursue a life guided by her instincts. Oprah shared that her biggest regrets came from the moments she ignored that voice. For her, courage has always meant listening to her inner truth and following it, even when others doubted her.
One of the most moving parts of Oprah’s story was her reflection on intentionality. She encouraged us to ask ourselves: Why am I doing this? What is my real reason? She explained that our intentions shape what we receive in return and urged us to approach life with purpose and authenticity.
Oprah’s message was transformative:
- Trust your instincts: “Doubt means don’t” was her way of reminding us to listen to that feeling of hesitation—it’s often the clearest signal of what’s not right for us.
- Pursue your rising: Meet the opportunities life offers with courage and a clear sense of purpose.
- Live with intention: Success is not about material achievements but about contentment, peace, and living a life true to your soul.
And while Oprah’s solo reflections were the highlight, she also credited her best friend, Gayle King, as a pivotal figure in her success. When Oprah took risks that others questioned, Gayle was unwavering in her support. Gayle’s steadfast belief in Oprah’s potential is a stellar example of the power of women supporting women—a reminder that we thrive when we lift each other up.
Courage and Confidence: A Call to Action
The Massachusetts Conference for Women was a celebration of women rising—together and individually. Whether it was Beverly Johnson breaking barriers, Caitlin Clark exemplifying confidence, or Oprah Winfrey inspiring us to trust our inner voices, the messages all pointed to the same truth: Courage and confidence are the keys to growth, success, and fulfillment.
At Elevate for Women, we believe in these values deeply. To thrive in your career and life, you need the courage to break barriers and the confidence to trust yourself. Let’s take these lessons forward—uplifting ourselves and each other as we rise to our greatest potential.
