National Women in the Outdoors Event Full of Surprises for More Than 300 Women

More than 300 women from all over the U.S. as well as Canada enjoyed 30 hands-on classes, including archery, during the NWTF's event celebrating the 10-year anniversary of its Women in the Outdoors outreach program. Click image for print quality version

EDGEFIELD, S.C. — The National Wild Turkey Federation's three-day event celebrating the NWTF's 10-year anniversary of its Women in the Outdoors outreach program proved to be full of surprises for more than 300 women in attendance.

Women from across the country as well as Canada gathered at the Wild Turkey Center in Edgefield, S.C., Sept. 25 to Sept. 28, 2008, to Learn, Laugh and Lighten Up - the theme of this year's national event.

Unexpectedly, participants received a special message from Alaskan Gov. Sarah Palin during the event's opening festivities. NWTF CEO George Thornton, read a letter from Palin, an avid hunter, angler and outdoorswoman, addressing the women who attended the event.

The women in attendance also enjoyed a surprise appearance and speech by the NWTF's newly-named spokeswoman, Brenda Valentine. Known as the outdoor industry's "First Lady of Hunting^TM," Valentine made her debut as the NWTF's official spokeswoman Friday, Sept. 26. Valentine's wide-ranging talents include that of an accomplished author, photographer, videographer and radio personality, and she is the first female inducted into the Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame.

Valentine makes regular appearances on the new "Bass Pro Shops' King of Bucks" program on Outdoor Channel, and is also a host of the "Bass Pro Shops' Real Hunting" show that airs weekly on the Versus Network. As spokeswoman, Valentine will make appearances on the NWTF's television shows and contribute to the NWTF's Women In The Outdoors magazine.

"I am honored and excited to have been invited to serve as the first official spokeswoman for the NWTF," said Valentine. "I have been a friend and supporter of the NWTF for many years and am now looking forward to a more active role in helping all staff and members to further enhance the future of the wild turkey and our hunting heritage."

In addition to hearing from Palin and Valentine, who have brought positive attention to the outdoor industry, participants were treated to speeches by the NWTF's second woman president, Peggy Anne Vallery and acclaimed author, photographer and speaker, Laurie Lee Dovey.

Participants also had opportunities to enjoy more than 30 hands-on classes including fly fishing, kayaking, camping, Dutch oven cooking, outdoor photography, archery, shotgunning, ATV safety, turkey calling and much more in a beginner-friendly, stress-free environment.

Maryellen Steward, native daughter of Seymour, Ind., and nine-year veteran of the NWTF's outreach program for women, was among those who participated in the weekend festivities. Steward, who has helped coordinate events on local and state levels, and taught hands-on learning seminars for eager-to-learn outdoorswomen, enjoyed the opportunity to become the student during the national Women in the Outdoors event.

"I love the excitement of a national event, getting to meet women from all over the country and Canada," said Steward. "And, of course, I love participating in the sessions. I always leave national Women in the Outdoors events with surprising new ideas for coordinating local events and with a feeling of satisfaction because I learned so many new things."

Steward said this year's event theme helped to remind women of important lessons sometimes forgotten when life gets hectic: "You're never too old to learn; laughter is something we should always do, and simply lighten up every once in a while."

Since 1998, the NWTF's Women in the Outdoors program has worked to share the outdoor tradition by providing expert instruction and hands-on education through events designed for women. During its inaugural year, Women in the Outdoors hosted 18 events and today the program organizes more than 400 events across the nation.