Rev. Dr. Iyanla Vanzant to Speak at First Annual Girls Rock Columbus Event

The Lincoln Theatre Association (LTA) has partnered with The Columbus Women & Girls Mentoring Society (WGMS) to present Dr. Iyanla Vanzant as part of the first annual Girls Rock Columbus, an event designed to educate, empower, and celebrate the girls and women of central Ohio. Vanzant, a renowned motivational speaker and worldwide advocate for the empowerment of women, will be the keynote speaker at the public ceremony on Thursday, March 3. The evening's program will also include presentation of the first "Woman of Passion, Purpose, and Pursuit Awards" to nine local recipients, as well as spoken word, vocal, and dance performances from local artists.

The Lincoln Theatre Association presents Iyanla Vanzant at the Lincoln Theatre (769 E. Long St.) on Thursday, March 3, at 7pm. Main floor tickets are $30 at the Ohio Theatre Ticket Office (39 E. State St.), all Ticketmaster outlets, and www.ticketmaster.com. To purchase tickets by phone, please call (614) 469-0939 or (800) 745-3000. VIP tickets are available for $65 and will include a pre-show reception with Dr. Vanzant beginning at 6pm and loge seating. All tickets are general admission.

Girls Rock Columbus is an all-day empowerment and leadership rally for approximately 200 middle and high school girls in central Ohio. Workshops will be held on Thursday, March 3, culminating in an evening program and awards ceremony which is open to the public.

Nine local women will be recognized as unsung heroes, admirable women from all walks of life that have made sacrifices and efforts to empower, engage, and mentor girls into becoming outstanding women. The recipients of the "Woman of Passion, Purpose, and Pursuit Award" include Lourdes Barroso de Padilla, Tasha Booker, Lela Boykin, Mimi Chenfeld, Angela Cornelius-Dawson, Stefphanie Harper, Tanisha Mallett, Sarah Newkirk, and Brittany Westbrook.

About Rev. Dr. Iyanla Vanzant
Vanzant's story reads like an epic adventure filled with near misses, struggle, strength, courage, and triumph. From her life experiences, she has uncovered her purpose, discovered the power that lies within, recovered her spiritual self, and emerged as a living testament to God's prevailing peace, power, and presence.

As the result of a difficult and dysfunctional upbringing, Vanzant was a victim of rape at the age of 9, a teenage mother by 16, a long-time welfare recipient, a partner in an abusive relationship, and a survivor of two suicide attempts. These experiences led her to Medgar Evers College (City University of New York) at the age of 30, where she earned a BS in public administration and early childhood education, summa cum laude. From there, she earned a law degree from City University Law School at Queens College that propelled her into the nation's number one public defender's office in Philadelphia.

In 1990, with seemingly little notice, her path to working with man's law transformed and suddenly made way to a divine appointment with spiritual law. After leaving the public defender's office, Vanzant was invited to be a guest on a Philadelphia radio talk show. The subject was "From Welfare to Work: What's the Plan for Women?" When the guest spot developed into a weekly show and the penning of her first book, Tapping the Power Within: A Path to Self-Empowerment for Black Women, her work of service to the universe began and manifested in the form of workshops, lectures, television appearances, and 15 books, including five New York Times Best Sellers, that have reached more than eight million readers in 23 languages .

With a clear mission, Vanzant and her beloved daughter Gemmia founded Inner Visions Institute for Spiritual Development. First offering small classes focused on transforming difficult experiences into empowering lessons of victory, Inner Visions has blossomed into a multi-faceted training program that offers certification in mastery of life skills, life coaching, and ministerial ordination. To motivate others to create a better life, a better community, and a better world, Vanzant conducts workshops and classes throughout the US, Africa, and UK, sharing her brand of practical, spiritual, and personal growth skills that are a blend of ancient African wisdom and New Thought Christianity.

As a recurring guest on shows like "The View," "The Oprah Winfrey Show," "The Tom Joyner Morning Show," "The Michael Baisden Show," and many other national talk shows, Vanzant has made a major contribution to bridging the divide between men and women, black and white, youth and elders, Christians and others.

Vanzant has received numerous awards and accolades for the impact of her work. She is hailed as one of Halle Berry's five "Sheros" (Glamour Magazine, 2006); one of the country's most influential African-Americans (Ebony Magazine, 2004); one of the nation's most 100 Influential Women (Women's Day Magazine, 2003); and one of the "most dynamic speakers in the United States" (Emerge Magazine, 2000).

Vanzant travels globally and has appeared on the NBC daytime drama "Starting Over" (2004-06), delivering her special brand of self-empowerment and inspiration to others.

She is the mother of three and grandmother of five, and lives on a historic property in Upper Marlboro, MD, with her two eldest grandchildren, a turtle, and a host of deer and raccoons.

www.lincolntheatrecolumbus.com

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