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The ETBU Women’s Summit empowers students

February 2, 2018

East Texas Baptist University hosted Amena Brown Owen as the keynote speaker at the second annual Women's Summit on Monday, January 29. The event consisted of a chapel service, women's leadership luncheon, and special evening session. Amena shared her journey of healing and how she has allowed the music of God's love to replace the broken records in her life.

"God was faithful in leading us to Amena Brown as our speaker. She was integral in accomplishing our hopes for the 2018 Women's Summit," ETBU Women's Ministry Coordinator Jennifer Curran shared. "The summit provides an avenue for all female students, faculty, and staff on campus to feel seen and heard, worship and grow together as a corporate body of sisters in Christ, and be challenged and encouraged to use their unique gifts to impact the world." 

Amena is a poet, speaker, author, and event host. Named one of Rejuvenate Magazine's Top 40 under 40 Changemakers, Amena is the author of five spoken word CDs and non-fiction book Breaking Old Rhythms and her newest book How to Fix a Broken Record. She has performed and spoken at events across the nation such as Creativity World Forum, IF Gathering, and Chick-fil-A Leadercast, as well as toured with the Gungor band, Ann Voskamp, and the Reconnect HBCU Tour. During the chapel service, Amena expressed the importance of personal history and testimony through her original poem. 

"Every time my grandmother speaks, I realize that words have roots
That are kind of like trees but mostly like seeds, 
Who you groom and raise.
You hope you plant them well, 
That fertile ground will receive them,
That they will find a place to stand and stretch their meaning, 
That someday somebody will take them home,
Call them their own,
That they will find a place to belong. 
Words keep teaching me to dream,
Keep reminding me that God listens when I sing. 
That's how I know this is real." 

A closing session was held on campus Monday evening for all ETBU female students, faculty, and staff. The gathering was structured to resemble a conversation as Amena invited questions and interacted with the audience. Worship was led by ETBU Director of Admissions and Recruitment Meredith Palmer, Coordinator of Testing and Academic Support Jacqueline Ramos, Tiger Pom Coach Madison Kauffman, and senior Griselda Alvarado. 

"Amena made a point to make every woman in the room know that they were created exactly the way God intended. I sincerely felt like I could, no matter how difficult it can be, let go of my insecurities and truly be who God created me to be," ETBU sophomore Erica Key confessed. "It stood out to me how fearless Amena was; she was honest and displayed her heart without any hesitation. It was amazing to join with my sisters in Christ to worship Jesus and listen to a strong leader speak. I think it is important for ETBU to host events such as the Women's Summit to encourage female students to fellowship and grow in their faith." 

Women's Summitt 2018