Thursday marked the end of a truly exceptional event, the 2011 Work Life Congress. Each year, Working Mother brings together more than 400 human resource and work life professionals to brainstorm effective strategies for advancing work life quality for working moms. With representatives from the corporate, government and academic spheres, the two-day conference is a major collaborative effort to do much more than “talk the talk” about the issues busy working moms face. Real solutions were arrived at here, solutions that work life pros will take back to their companies to implement and moms will apply to their own lives.

The conference offered workshops on topics such as the best ways to administer successful flex programs, how to effectively meet the dependent care needs of a diverse workforce and how to navigate “generational gaps” in the office. Innovative strategies for engaging men in the dialogue for work life support and effectiveness were also shared.

Perhaps topping these engaging topics was the conference's star power. From “sheroes” Carol Evans, president of Working Mother Media, and Jennifer Owens, editorial director of Working Mother and director of the Working Mother Research Institute; to H. Fisk Johnson and James Turley, CEOs of SC Johnson and Ernst & Young; a shining roster of work life pros coverged here to help improve the quality of life for working moms.

A highlight of the evening was the celebration of the Working Mothers of the Year. Nominated by their companies, they got to celebrate their accomplishments with co-workers, bosses and family.

Whether discovering key trends from the Working Mother 100 Best Companies or chatting with the dynamic honorees and speakers, attendees left this year’s conference feeling inspired, motivated and ready to take action. 

—Palanda Brownlow