by Eileen Scott
Special to The Leaven
ATCHISON — Young women from throughout the archdiocese are invited to gather at Memorial Hall at Benedictine College here on Nov. 7 for the inaugural Pelican Crèche.
The event is a morning-long Catholic intellectual conference for girls ages 13 to 18 and their optional female guardians. The focus will be on the unique character of being female and exploring identity and calling.
Presentations will be provided by women representing a wide range of vocations, ages and stages of life, according to event founder Tori Slayman.
“It’s an intergenerational opportunity to think about what it means to be a woman, and especially what it means to be a woman alongside other women, in a Catholic sense,” said Slayman.
The Crèche is a miniature version of the annual spring Pelican Summit, which provides intellectual engagement and enrichment for women of all ages.
Slayman, the mother of three young boys, founded the Pelican Summit and the subsequent Pelican Crèche out of her own love of wisdom and deeper thinking.
“Moving into motherhood reveals how much knowledge you don’t have and [the] wisdom you need from other people,” she said.
Slayman emphasized the importance of discussing identity and vocation with adolescent girls.
“It is a time when lots of truths are being planted in their hearts,” she said. “It’s important to notice what truths are being planted as they will blossom in decades to come.”
While the event promotes intellectual engagement and vocation, it is not a how-to presentation on career planning or resume building. It’s an exploration of the dignity of the whole person with presentations covering a variety of topics.
“The thing I’ve noticed about Gen Z and Gen Alpha is that they tend to be straight shooters. They like getting to the point, and they’re very good at it,” said Slayman. “I want to honor that by putting them in a room with women who have proven themselves to be deeply thoughtful, profoundly selfless and very serious about the responsibility entrusted to them through their vocation.”
Leanne Jarvis, founder of RoseFem, will speak on the topic “From Eve to You: Hormonal Health for Your Whole Self.” Olivia Wieger, a teacher at St. John Paul II Academy in Olathe, will address “The Privilege of Being a Daughter.”
Retired Army lieutenant colonel Sister Nancy Rose Gucwa, OSB, will speak about “Learning on Life’s Journey to God.” And Clare Hanson, head coach of the women’s lacrosse team at Benedictine College in Atchison, will speak about “Finding Meaning in Adversity.”
The event will be held from 8 a.m. to noon. Attendees are also invited to Mass at St. Benedict’s Abbey, and Benedictine campus tours will also be offered.
“Because of the campus tours, it can be counted as a college trip as well as a beautiful autumn experience,” said Slayman.
Those interested in attending can register at: www.thepelicansummit.com/creche. Teen tickets are $35, and a sibling discount is available. The ticket price includes admission for an optional female guardian.
