Mary Jones Continues to Encourage Women to "Believe in Yourself"

The Connecticut Women’s Alliance, an organization dedicated to the advancement of women and girls through educational programming and events, will hold The Connecticut Women’s Conference on Thursday, March 24 at the

Designed to unite women from all walks of life, the conference will include speakers, panels, workshops, exhibitors and book signings meant to inspire women to courageously pursue their true purpose.

The conference features Farmington resident Mary Jones as emcee. Jones will present the Connecticut Women’s Alliance’s Woman of Distinction Award and unveil the newly transformed Mary Jones Believe Team Make-Over contest winner.

Though Jones has been encouraging women to believe in themselves for years, the Believe Team was new for 2010.

“The purpose of my team is to help women live more confidently, a consistent message of my show. In talking with women, I realized that there are many whose lives could be improved, who could live with greater confidence, if they could address or tweak one or two aspects. That realization inspired me to assemble a team of local experts who could work with women in their specialty, and make huge changes to their lives. My Believe Team was born!" Jones explained.

Jones hosts a radio show "The Mary Jones Show" on five stations in Connecticut and online on Womens Radio, and has a segment on NBC 30 news on Wednesday mornings, "All That & More.” She is co-author of Incredible Life and is working with Stacy Battat and Kiwi Publishing on a new book in their Thin Threads Book Series, Women and Friendship, to be published in April.

“Prior to getting into radio, I owned a corporate recruiting firm for many years and moved it from downtown Hartford to Farmington in 1992,” Jones said. “I've always appreciated Farmington's small-town feel and proximity to Hartford. I grew up on the New Britain/Farmington line so when I moved from eastern Connecticut to Farmington 20 years ago, it felt like coming home. For those who can remember Windmill Stables, I have such happy memories of riding horses there and on many side streets...seems like forever ago, yet the memories live on!”

“We incorporated a Believe Team Make-Over contest into the Connecticut Women's Conference. The winner began working with six members of my team in mid-February. These members are Marge Piccini, Life and Success Coach, Debbie Wright, fashion consultant, Carolyn Phillips, fitness coach, Janice Olsen, make-up expert, Karen Roche, hairstylist, and as an added benefit, Sylvia Guinan, financial advisor with Wells Fargo Investments," Jones said. The combined help of each woman's speciality creates a comprehensive life make-over, Jones explained.

In addition, the conference will showcase the achievements of Connecticut women, including best-selling author Joan Anderson, the luncheon speaker.

“The Connecticut Women’s Conference will give women across Connecticut the opportunity to come together to celebrate their achievements and feature information and discussions to inspire further self-growth,” said Wendy Leahy, president, Connecticut Women’s Alliance. 

The Connecticut Women’s Conference will take place on March 24 from 7:30 a.m.- 5 p.m. at the Farmington Marriott. To register or sign up for email updates, visit www.ctwomensalliance.com. Registration is $149 and includes breakfast, lunch, a gift bag, ice cream social, and door prizes. Tickets can also be purchased at a discounted rate for a table of 10. 

A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the Connecticut Women’s Education and Legal Fund, one of the oldest women’s rights organizations in the country. 

Jones will also hold a Girls Night Out at The Stonewell Restaurant in Farmington on March 30 at 6 p.m. She has been hosting the event every other month for 5 years at various restaurants. The theme for the evening is friendship. There will be games, video and stories that will recreate the warm and fun feelings that women want and need from their close friends, Jones said. Maryellen Fillo, JAVA columnist from the Hartford Courant, will also speak. Dinner is $25, tax/tip included. To make a reservation call 860.677.8855.