CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky. (March 18, 2024) – Thomas More University held the third annual Women’s Conference on Friday, March 15, bringing together over 100 attendees to celebrate and honor the achievements of women across the region during Women’s History Month. 

The 2024 Women’s Conference featured three speakers and two panelists, representing a range of vocations, including health care, education, hospitality, nonprofit leadership, and public service. Each speaker focused on an aspect of the event’s theme, “Our Responsibility to Others,” a core tenet of Thomas More University’s mission. The conference encouraged attendees to contemplate their own personal and collective responsibilities and to seek opportunities to make an impact.

Alecia Webb-Edgington, president of Life Learning Center, gave the keynote address. Webb-Edgington shared how her career journey, which began in public safety with Kentucky State Police and led to high-profile roles as Kentucky’s homeland security director, representative for the 63^rd district in the Kentucky House, and senior police advisor with the U.S. Department of State, came “full circle” at Life Learning Center, a Covington-based nonprofit dedicated to helping at-risk individuals achieve long-term self-sufficiency and success.

“Service is not just a noble endeavor; it is the very essence of your calling. It’s the manifestation of your deepest desires to make a difference and leave a lasting legacy of compassion, empathy and selflessness. As you’re embarking on your journey to fulfill your calling, remember that service is not only a privilege – it is our responsibility,” Webb-Edgington shared with the audience.

Following the keynote, Sr. Kay Kramer ’86, CDP, presented a compelling reflection on Catholic Social Teaching and how it has informed her work with migrants along the U.S.-Mexico border. Kramer, a certified nurse-midwife, family nurse practitioner, educator, and member of the Congregation of Divine Providence, asserted that a key pillar of our responsibility to others is to be informed on issues surrounding poverty, immigration, and human dignity. “What we want to do is to transform the world, right?” Kramer asked the audience. “We want to love people enough that the world is transformed.”

The focus on faith-centered service continued as Danielle Amrine ’20, chief executive officer of Welcome House of Northern Kentucky, took to the podium. Amrine reflected on how a personal interaction with a social worker at a formative age sparked her passion and career in nonprofit work, culminating in her leadership position for Welcome House, where she provides a continuum of services aimed at ending homelessness across the Northern Kentucky region.

The final portion of the event was a panel discussion led by Kathy Fields, CEO/founder of Heroes R Forever Inc., featuring Jayne (Dillon) Murphy ’91, co-author of “Holy Chow: Hospitality,” and Brittany Mention, Ed.D., faculty at Thomas More University School of Education and CEO of Mention Consulting LLC. The women shared their reflections on leadership and service and how both have played an integral role in their personal and professional successes.

Payton Marshall, weekend morning anchor for FOX19, served as emcee for the 2024 Women’s Conference. Special thanks to the event sponsors: Mubea, the Congregation of Divine Providence, and St. Elizabeth Healthcare.

The Women’s Conference started in 2021 as Thomas More University marked the 100^th year since its founding. For more information about the Women’s Conference, and for updates on the 2025 Women’s Conference, please visit: https://www.thomasmore.edu/womens-conference/.

To view sessions from the Women’s Conference, please click here.

About Thomas More University

Founded in 1921, Thomas More University stands as a beacon of academic excellence and innovation, challenging students to Make It More. Deeply rooted in the Catholic Intellectual Tradition, this timeless foundation supports a transformative educational experience as students looking to Be More are guided in the pursuit of knowledge, ethical leadership, and the integration of faith and reason. Through the high-quality, liberal arts education provided at Thomas More, students examine the ultimate meaning of life, their place in the world, and their responsibility to others which leads to the ability to think critically and contribute meaningfully to the world. Serving more than 2,000 students, Thomas More takes its place as the premier Catholic university in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky region, being named one of the 2024 Best Colleges in the U.S. by the Wall Street Journal.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Kristen Gallagher, director of communications and public relations; gallagherk@thomasmore.edu; 859.344.3309