Jessica Cox, 'the world’s first armless pilot,' among speakers at women’s conference

What is the secret to true and lasting joy? Is there really such a thing? And if it actually exists, where can we find it? Is it possible to find joy even among the burdens and challenges of our lives?

I’m sure I’m not the only woman who has asked this question. As a busy work-at-home, homeschooling mom of six (plus one in heaven!), I sometimes find myself feeling down and spent at the end of each day. Joy seems fleeting, especially when there are endless tasks to be done and your mental load is overwhelming!

That’s why I do my best to carve out time to be encouraged and inspired by others—I know that my heart and mind need to be “filled” regularly so that I can fulfill my tasks with joy and love.

Speaking of being encouraged and inspired, there is an international conference coming up on August 17 that is set to help women discover the source of “true, pure, and lasting joy.” The Jewels Conference is an annual event that seeks to empower women in our personal journey of enhancing our roles, careers, relationships, and dreams—primarily by deepening our faith life.

According to the conference organizers, this year’s conference theme, “PURE JOY,” aims to show women that “when we feel like we have lost everything and are down to nothing, Jesus shows us that He’s more valuable than what we’ve lost. And when we have a lot, and seem to be abundant in everything, Jesus still proves that He’s better than all we possess.”

Counted among the plenary speakers at the PURE JOY Jewels Conference is Filipino-American inspirational keynote speaker Jessica Cox, who received the Guinness World Record for “being the first person certified to fly an airplane with only their feet” in 2011. Jessica has actually been in the Philippines several times before, and is known for her messages of hope and joy amidst adversity.

Joining Jessica are cerebral palsy warrior and entrepreneur Jana Berenguer, registered psychologist and author Dr. Michele Alignay, and Gen Z inspirational content creator and author Ronieth Dayao. Catholic women leaders Marowe Sanchez, Lallaine Gogna, and Rissa Kawpeng will also be at the conference to uplift everyone with their messages.

The Jewels Conference will not