Six weeks into the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season, an audience on St. Thomas heard talk of resilience, a common term to be heard at this time of the year. But at the third annual Women of Resilience Conference, that familiar reference held a different meaning — one evoking the way that people weather the storms of life.
About 80 participants gathered in the Eldridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center for the conference organized by event founder and organizer Janette Millin-Young. This year’s conference theme: “Where Ambition Meets Purpose.” “This year’s theme, Where Ambition Meets Purpose, reminds us that ambition gives us the courage to dream, while purpose gives those dreams direction,” Millin said.
As they sat through talks about career building, Artificial Intelligence and forming sustainable business, participants also had a chance to find out about things they had in common.
“Raise your hand if you experienced an unexpected change during the past five years; a divorce, a separation, a loss, a disappointment. Something professional happened to you. Something financial happened to you … Something that changed everything,” the presenter said.
Almost everyone raised their hand. Then came the question: What if you look back on the experience, and you say, ‘If that didn’t happen I would not be as strong as I am today?’
In an afternoon panel discussion, three authors shared their stories of turning adversity into new beginnings. Over the lunch break, audience members took a moment to look back on their own life-changing events.
At the registration table, retired banker Susan Seipel said for her, mindset held the key. “I came here as a new bride — 25 years old — no job; didn’t go to college. I became the manager of Citibank,” Seipel said. “For me, resilience means never give up.”
Law clerk and wellness promoter Lucy Gunther told a story of a crippling mishap that led to seven months of partial disability. “I tripped over a manhole cover in Vendor’s Plaza on my way home from work one night and fell splat on my face,” she said. “I believe I have come out of that experience a different person because it forced me to spend time reevaluating my priorities, my purpose, my reason for being.”
And for medical center administrator Diane Morales, it was the death of her mother — Francine Penn-Scipio — late last year. For 30 years, Penn-Scipio helped to stage community holiday dinners on St. Thomas. “Resilience for me is treating family and the people that you value – including the people that you see in the street every day — with value, and the same respect and love and compassion you desire for yourself,” Morales said.
The event wrapped up with acknowledgment for the businesses that helped make the third annual Women of Resilience possible. They include Tropical Shipping, One Communications, Crystal Blue Operations, Ocean Systems Laboratory, Inc.; Bioimpact, Inc.; Guardian Insurance, Merchants Bank, UVI Research and Technology Park; Southland Gaming, AARP-VI; V.I. Economic Development Authority, V.I. Tourism Department; Concessions International, Virgin Islands Daily News and the Virgin Islands Source.
