Keystone Conference, 2015 (cont'd)

More from Sharon:

I also spent time on the Helping Hand committee.  My good friend Jenny Jensen chairs that committee.  Each morning at 10 a.m. we had teatime in the Dog and Pony Lounge, where new attendees could stop by for moral support or to learn more about the conference.  We helped quite a few people, including a 16 year old M to F and her mother.

If you have not been to a conference, and want to go, I can strongly recommend the Keystone

Nicole Maines Knocks One Out of the Park

Conference.  Here are my top 10 reasons to attend next year’s conference:

1.      Well run conference with a variety of educational seminars to help with your inner and outer image.

2.      Warm and friendly hotel staff at the Sheraton Harrisburg

3.      Outings to restaurants and casino.

4.      Inspirational speakers

5.      Makeovers and feminine image consultants

6.      Professional photography

7.      Conveniently located within two to three hours’ drive of several east coast cities

8.      Reasonably priced

9.      Gala dinner and dancing with live music

10.  Make new friends and reconnect with old friends.  You are not alone!

One of the highlights was Saturday night’s keynote speaker.  Nicole Maines. She is 17 years old and is a senior in high school.  She made history in January 2014 by winning a landmark transgender rights case in Maine.  This is the first time that a state court has ruled that transgender students must be allowed to use the bathroom that matches their gender identity.  Nicole has spoken on Trans issues.  At the young age of thirteen she was a keynote speaker at the 2011 GLAD banquet held in Boston, MA. In 2012 Nicole and her family received the Roger Baldwin Award, the Maine ACLU’s highest award for civil right advocacy. In November of 2014 Nicole was named one of Glamour Magazine's 50 Inspiring Women of the Year when she was chosen to represent the state of Maine in the series "Hometown Heroes: 50 Phenomenal Women of the Year Who Are Making a Difference".  Nicole told us her story.  She is an engaging speaker, and her energy filled the room and inspired us all.

I had a good time reconnecting with some of my friends from past years, and as always I appreciated the opportunity to spend three days en femme. I am already looking forward to next year.

Thank you, Sharon.  I hope the stars align and I can join you next year!

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