A capacity crowd of participants gathered for the 2009 Women's Health Event at the W.R. Dulin Conference Center on the campus of Scotland Memorial Hospital in Laurinburg.

About 130 women met Saturday to hear keynote speakers and attend breakout sessions on health and other topics pertinent to women. Billed as a place where women could "love, laugh and learn" together, Saturday's conference accomplished that and much more.

"I really enjoyed this year's event," attendee Libby Graves of Scotland County said. "Each year it is always different, and there is always something new to learn and experience. It just gets better and better."

Following registration, participants heard a presentation by keynote speaker Andy Core before attending three separate breakout sessions on a variety of topics including fitness, finances, and personal security. Following lunch, keynote speaker L. Diane Wolfe spoke on promotion, leadership and goal setting.

Event coordinator Karen Gainey was pleased with the feedback she received from participants.

"Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves at this year's event," Gainey said. "We haven't heard any negative feedback. The quality of the guest speakers and the topics presented at the breakout sessions received positive comments from all those who attended."

Core, from Fayetteville, Ark., spoke on overcoming the barriers that sabotage motivation in order to bring about a healthier lifestyle, which will in turn create conditions for a more positive balance between work and life.

"My talk today will be about why we don't do what we know we should in terms of our health," he said prior to his introduction as keynote speaker. "If it were as simple as calorie intake, we would all be healthy. I teach the use of positive psychology, nutrition, exercise and sleep as a way to overcome the barriers we face and to help us become better in all we do at work and at home."

The afternoon keynote speaker, Wolfe, is an Oregon native now living in Goldsboro. Author of the self-help book Overcoming Obstacles with Spunk! and the upcoming young adult novel Circle of Friends, Wolfe spoke on what she listed as the five keys to success: a positive attitude, good people skills, raising self-esteem, overcoming fears and setting goals.

"It doesn't matter what you learn unless you can apply that to life," she said. "Any goal can be achieved with a positive attitude."

Between sessions, participants were given the opportunity to experience mini-massages and free health screenings. "A plethora of door prizes" were also given out, according to Scotland Memorial Foundation and event committee member Kirsten Dean.

"The generosity of the Scotland County businesses that participated by donating these door prizes ands gifts is just wonderful," Dean said.

"We are all here today to learn better ways to care for ourselves, our families and our futures. The capacity crowd we have here tells us that lots of women want to learn more regarding healthier lifestyles. Our job has been to bring these ladies together, and I thank everyone who has had a part in making this event a reality."

Graves hopes the conference increases in scope and size.

"I think every woman should attend these conferences, and I hope they make it bigger so that more people can attend," Graves said. "They should create one for men as well. We can all benefit from what is offered here."