Photo Flash: Marcia Cross, Barbara Van Orden and More Launch Plans for 2012 CWC Conference

On Thursday, August 2, The California Women's Conference (CWC) launched their plans for this years highly anticipated conference on September 23rd & 24th at the Hotel Maya/Double Tree Hotel by Hilton in Long Beach. Among those in attendance were Marcia Cross, Frances Fisher, Tippi Hedren, Sharon Lawrence, Morgan Brittany, Kate Linder, Erin Murphy, Romi Dames, Donzaleigh Abernathy, Geri Jewell, Lee Purcell, Mother Love, Barbara Van Orden and a clear event favorite, judging by the number of guest requesting photos, for the evening were Mary McDonough, Kami Cotler, Judy Norton of The Waltons fame. The Walton Women (including matriarch, Michael Learned), will be appearing at the conference just days before the entire cast gathers at the historic Wilshire Ebell Theatre to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the series that became an American classic.

Check out photos from the event below!

The goal of the CWC launch is to bring attention to the continued legacy of the "California Women's Conference" and highlight the important role of women in both business and in the home. Although, as Conference organizer, Michelle Patterson, was quick to point out “Men were invited as well. In fact, we love our men. Don't we ladies?”

This year's line up for September 23rd & 24th will include Oscar, Tony, Grammy, Golden Globe and multiple Emmy winners and notable names such as Carol Channing, Gloria Allred, Marcia Cross, Donna Karan, Amanda de Cadenet, Dr. John Gray, Shannon Tweed, Michael Learned, Judy Norton, Mary McDonough, Kami Cotler, Rose Marie, Julie Newmar, Joanne Worley, Judy Carter, Geri Jewell, Donzaleigh Abernathy, Tippi Hedren and a very special performance by Melissa Manchester. Speakers and panel descriptions can be found at www.californiawomensconference.com.

The spiritual predecessor of the California Women's Conference (CWC), namely the California Governor & First Lady's Conference on Women was an annual non-partisan event, and was created in 1985 by then-Governor George Deukmejian, to address the high failure rate among women-owned businesses by giving women entrepreneurs greater access to funding and other helpful resources. Selecting the city of Long Beach as the event's host, city officials and businesses quickly became enthusiastic supporters. Then-First Lady Gloria Deukmejian assumed responsibility for the conference, which became known as the California Governor and First Lady's Conference. Since then, the CWC has always attracted a highly respected and celebrated list of speakers. Today, the tradition of enthusiastically serving women-owned businesses continues under the stewardship of Michelle Patterson, CEO of EventComplete.

Photo credit: CaughtintheMoment.com