As those involved with TEDx Oak Park Women prepare for the third annual event, founder Tania Haigh said she feels the community has fully embraced the local conference.
Haigh, at the helm of TEDx Oak Park Women, said this is the second year the event, happening Nov. 2, will be held at The Nineteenth Century Club in Oak Park. Each year has offered a unique feel based on the lineup of people giving talks, she said.
“We feel like we’re building off of last year, which is great,” said Haigh, an Oak Park resident.
TED stands for technology, entertainment and design. Events feature speakers and performers from various backgrounds and professions. Similar in style but independently organized, TEDx events occur around the world.
Content from the national TED Women conference will again be live-streamed during the local event, which features a cocktail and networking hour before talks begin.
While last year’s event broached serious issues like racism, gang violence and sex trafficking, Haigh said topics won’t be quite as intense this year.
“Each year is a different output,” Haigh said.
The 2017 theme, “Bridges,” is open to interpretation, she said. Six speakers — the majority from Oak Park or River Forest, others from the greater Chicago area — will share and inspire on topics like bridging communities, divorce and achieving self-forgiveness.
“We always cast a wide net,” Haigh said. “It’s just a really nice range of talks.”
As in the past, the emcee for the event is one of last year’s speakers: Joanna Horsnail.
“Giving a talk last year was pretty incredible,” Horsnail said. She believes the event is a unique way to allow women’s voices, or those speaking on women’s issues, to be heard.
Horsnail believes the bridges theme is appropriate given that it’s a “turbulent time in our country.”
“I think it’s going to be an incredibly timely presentation,” she said. “I think a lot of people are thinking about how we move forward.”
Haigh said early bird ticket sales were strong, and they’re hoping to sell out this year; general admission tickets are $70. She mentioned TEDx Oak Park Women has a number of local sponsors and was nominated for awards from the Oak Park River Forest Chamber of Commerce.
“It’s been an incredible year,” Haigh said, adding that it’s gratifying to hear those who’ve attended events say they were moved or inspired by the talks.
For more information, visit www.tedxoakparkwomen.com/2017.
Caitlin Mullen is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
