By SAMANTHA HURST/Special to the Reporter

ALABASTER – Liberty Missionary Baptist Church aims to empower women of all ages during its women’s conference July 29-30.

Organizer Kimberly Simmons said key speakers and breakout sessions intend to teach women that life requires an outward-focused attitude.

“Sometimes when we focus so much on ourselves, there are problems that seem too big to tackle,” Simmons said. “When we focus on helping others, God removes those barriers in our own lives.”

Women from ages 8 to 40 are encouraged to attend this two-day event.

The event launches Friday evening with registration at 6 p.m. The evening’s speaker will take the stage at 7:15 p.m. On Saturday, July 30 event registration will begin at 9 a.m. The keynote speaker for that day will speak at 11:15, followed by lunch.

For the second year, Liberty Missionary Baptist has asked Dr. Cynthia Butler-McIntyre, 24th National President of Delta Sigma Theta sorority, to speak.

Simmons said all of the community is invited for the guest speakers’ sessions, regardless of whether or not they attend the rest of the events. She said this invitation to the main discussions includes an open door to men who want to participate.

Dr. Akeam Simmons, pastor at Liberty, said the event will draw about 200 people. It is meant, he said, to minister to the whole person spiritually, physically, mentally, financially and more.

“It is not a church-focused conference but a community focused event,” Akeam Simmons said. “We try to touch on day-to-day issues that women specifically deal with now.”

Two sets of dynamic speakers will lead the breakout sessions, Simmons said. These discussions will review professionalism, the importance of education for women, empowerment and Godly living. Attorney Tanisha Glenn will lead the group of 14-25 year-olds, while Camila and Catylin Thomas will work with girls aged 8-18.

Simmons said they chose these women to lead the sessions because, “they are faith-based, they are highly educated, they are strong women in their communities and all of that sets an example.”

“We can sit and tell these girls all day long how they should live,” Simmons said. “But more importantly we’ve got to show these principals in action.”

Breakout sessions for women aged 25-40 will be led by women from Alabama Power and who have served in the military. Karen Thompson will lead praise and worship throughout the event.

Registration for the women’s conference is free and includes the luncheon on Saturday, July 30. To register, visit Eventbrite.com/whatareyouTHIRSTYfor