Universal Sisters 2007 Event

Keynote Speakers for the 2007 Conference

Morning Keynote Speaker:

Marilyn Hughes Gaston, MD

Dr. Marilyn Hughes Gaston is a physician and former Assistant Surgeon General of the United States and recently retired Associate Administrator for the Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC) within the Health Resources and Services Administration. She was the first African-American woman to direct a Public Health Service Bureau. BPHC has total resources of close to five billion dollars and is responsible for improving access to quality, preventive, primary health care to millions of underserved, minority, underprivileged, disadvantaged people in the United States and its territories and improving the health status of ten million people.

Prior to her appointment as Bureau Director, she was the Director of the Division of Medicine, which provides funding for training grants in Family Medicine, Internal medicine and Pediatrics, etc. Early in her career, Dr. Gaston helped to establish a community health center serving a large African American, low-income population.

In September 2006, Dr. Gaston received a Purpose Prize from Civic Ventures for her co-development of Prime Time Sister Circles, a nationwide health and empowerment initiative targeting mid-life African American women. Dr. Gaston is also co-author of the book Prime Time, which helps Black women address health issues and other disparities.

Afternoon Keynote Speaker:

Gwendolyn Goldsby Grant, PhD

Dr. Gwendolyn Goldsby Grant has earned a Bachelor of Science degree, two Masters degrees (one in Guidance and Counseling, the other in Behavioral Science), a Doctorate in Theology, and a second Doctorate in Education. She completed one year of study and research in the Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health Science, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey at Newark, as part of her doctoral plan of study.

Dr. Gwendolyn Grant is a private consultant, media psychologist, a public speaker, a certified sex counselor, and a Diplomat of the American Board of Sexology, Washington, D.C. Dr. Grant is a strong sex education advocate. She is also a noted consultant for Fortune 500 companies. Dr. Grant specializes in assertiveness training, affirmative action seminars, multicultural issues, parenting workshops, human sexuality, male-female relationships, child and elderly care, sex role stereotyping, sexual harassment, stress management, leadership and life skills development, and a theology of hope for critical times. On the lecture circuit Dr. Grant is called THE ENERGIZER. Her enthusiasm for life is contagious. She brings motivation and inspiration.

Dr. Grant is a member of the Phi Delta Kappa, and the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Societies, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Life member of the National Council of Negro Women, National Association of Black Journalists, and other local and national organizations. The Association of Black Psychologists awarded Gwen Grant the distinguished Bobby E. Wright Community Service Award for her life's work in mental health. Her focus is mental health education and is a specialist in relationships. Her book, THE BEST KIND OF LOVING is about healing male/female relationships, and is a best seller.

Dr. Gwendolyn Grant is also an advice columnist for ESSENCE Magazine. Her monthly column Between Us is read by over 7.5 million readers. Dr. Grant has hosted a mental health radio talk show. She does guest appearances on television and radio, including Montel Williams, Good Morning America, Sally Jessy Raphael, Ricki Lake, Oprah, The News Hour on PBS, Black Entertainment TV (BET), The Maury Povich Show, National Public Radio, CBS News, CNN, and others. Television producers refer to her as the "high energy expert". Dr. Grant is known for her healing approach on radio and TV talk shows. One of her Sally shows about Feuding Sisters was nominated for an Emmy Award.

Dr. Gwen Grant is the wife of the Honorable Dr. Ralph Thomas Grant, Jr., college professor and Christian minister. They have three adult children: Ralph, III, Sally-Ann and Rebecca, all of whom are United Negro College Fund college graduates. The youngest, Dr. Rebecca Grant, is a veterinarian--Class of 1994, Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine.

Gwendolyn Grant's philosophy is: "ONE WOMAN CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. " She believes that whatever the mind can conceive, heart believe, the hands can achieve. Dr. Grant is a new century woman.

Introducing an informative, entertaining, high-powered, energetic, woman with an encouraging message for today and tomorrow.

DR. GWENDOLYN GOLDSBY GRANT! THE ENERGIZER!

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