LA County Parks invites girls ages 11-18 to join the 5th annual “iMatter: Girls Empowerment Conference,” an annual tradition that encourages girls to share their voices and believe in a life of possibilities by building confidence, exploring pathways to college and expanding career goals.

This year, the annual conference will be a free virtual event with inspiration and empowerment, for the entire month of October. Girls can join from across L.A. County – and beyond – to be connected, inspired and empowered.

From Oct. 1-31, L.A. County Parks will host virtual daily workshops, panels and keynote speakers, plus links to resources and activities to keep girls engaged. Each week will cover a new topic to show girls that they can dream big about their futures.

Topics will begin with a week on L.A. County women in leadership, followed by women in sports during the second week. The third week’s programs will center around women in business and female entrepreneurs, with the fourth week focusing on women in entertainment and the final week centered around women in politics.

Girls can participate in virtual workshops and book clubs, join virtual watch parties of documentaries, listen to inspiring speakers and ask questions. Girls are invited to join and participate in all events. The conference kicks off on Thursday, Oct. 1, at 4:30 p.m. with a virtual speaker panel including L.A. County Parks and Recreation Director Norma Edith García-González.

Last year, over 1,200 girls participated in the conference. Registration is free but required as space is limited. For information, visit parks.lacounty.gov/gec2020.