HistoryIn 2007, several women, in marriages with husbands who struggle with same-gender attraction, were exchanging thoughts and experiences over the North Star Spouses group. They commented that there were several weekend retreats aimed at helping men with same-gender attractions, and when their husbands had returned from these retreats, their husbands were more enganged in their marriages and more attentive to their wive's needs. At the same time, these women recognized that there weren't any retreats specifically focused on the needs of wives in these relationships. With a goal in mind to help themselves and their friends in similar relationships, the WOW conference began to develop. Over the next several months, women on the NorthStar Spouse's group combined resources and developed the first Women of Worth Conference, which was held in Salt Lake City, Utah, during the summer of 2008. The first conference was a success with 16 participants. They thank NorthStar (http://www.northstarlds.org) for creating an environment where they were able to come together as a community of spouses, all searching to better their marriages. The conference committee also thank all of those women who were on the listserv at the time that contributed to the creation of the WOW Conference. 2008The first conference welcomed David Matheson, MS, LPC, Peggy Matheson, Dan Gray, LCSW, and the wife of author Steven Cramer. We had 16 participants from Utah, Texas, Missouri, and Idaho. Click here to read the 2008 Conference Summary. 2009The second annual conference focused on setting boundaries, defining boundaries, and gaining new skills to help us with each of these things. This conference welcomed back David Matheson, MS, LPC and Peggy Matheson and also welcomed Christy Cox, MSW, CSW and Chrystal. We had 15 participants from Utah, Arizona, Idaho, and California. Click here to read the 2009 Conference Summary. 2010After the 2009 conference, the Women of Worth Conference became an officially sponsored North Star event. Three of the five committee members this year have been on the committee from the first year. The theme for the third annual conference was "Taking Care of YOU." Speakers and facilitators included Colleen Harrison, author of He Did Deliver Me From Bondage, the book that introduced the 12 Steps to the LDS Church, Dan Gray, LCSW, David Matheson, MS, LPC, and Peggy Matheson. We had 22 participants from Utah, Arizona, Idaho, and California. Click here to read the 2010 Conference Summary. 2011Becoming Who I Am, As God Knows Me to Be was the theme for our fourth annual conference. Speakers and facilitators included Dr. Jerry Harris, LMFT, Dorothy Maryon, LPC, Steven and Rhyll Croshaw, founders of S.A. Lifeline Foundation, and Tanya Bennion and Megan Dahlgren, two of the co-creators of the WoW Conference. We had 26 participants from Utah, Arizona, Idaho, and Kentucky. 2012Building Relationships is the theme for our fifth annual conference this year. Our goal is to improve our relationships with ourselves, with our "sisters" all around us, with our Savior, and with our Spouse.
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