Greenwood resident Kris Steinnes was driving down Highway 99 some years ago when she had an epiphany.

She wanted to create a community of women who were supportive and committed to strengthening and empowering the voice and dreams of women.

She created the Women of Wisdom Foundation in May of 1992, and the following February it had its first conference. Women leaders from many fields shared their experiences, and attendees participated in various workshops and events.

Recently Steinnes' book, "Women of Wisdom: Empowering the Dreams and Spirit of Women," was a finalist in the Best New Non-Fiction category of the National Best Books 2008 Awards, sponsored by USA Book News.

"(The book) represents the (annual) conferences really well because there are voices from leaders and voices from people who participated," say Steinnes.

"This anthology of wisdom from some of the greatest women thinkers and writers of our time is a rare treasure," wrote Joan Borysenko, author of A Woman's Book of Life. "It inspires, informs, and gives us hope for the future."

Steinnes hopes the award will help project the book, and in turn, expand the organization.

"A lot of women feel isolated," Steinnes said. At the conferences, women are surrounded by other women who are supportive and understanding, and by sharing their stories, many women realize they are not alone.

"What we created was a place where women could come and share and speak and find women to connect with and feel supported," Steinnes said. "We found that women felt inspired to make changes in their lives; it was a very powerful experience."

Cynthia Lyons attended her first conference in 2000. She is now a council and conference committee member for the foundation.

"The foundation has given me an incredible network of women. Looking back, I don't know what I did without them," Lyons said. "The foundation has taken ideas that seemed too far away or unreachable and brought them to me. It really extends your world."

The 17th annual Women of Wisdom conference will be held Feb. 12-16 at the Seattle Unity Church and North Seattle Community College. Special guests will include Starhawk, author of many books celebrating the Goddess movement and Earth-based, feminist spirituality; Libby Roderick, internationally acclaimed singer, songwriter, poet and activist; and Ubaka Hill, who uses hand drumming to inspire personal transformation, healing and joy. Over 35 events will be offered. For more information about the foundation or the conference, visit womenofwisdom.org.

"I would love to take the conference to different cities," Steinnes said.

"Now my mission is to expand - to empower women to be leaders, to step into their power and not shy away from speaking their voice."

She advises women not to try to fit into a male's role. "Be a woman; be true to who you are."

"What's unfortunate is when women reject their feminine gifts, because the world needs (them) right now. We need women to step up and be leaders and be part of the change, to have our voices heard," Steinnes said.

The foundation's latest project is creating a teen program at South Lake High School, located in Southeast Seattle. This is an alternative school that offers programs targeted at teens who work better in a more intimate environment.

"That's where we can really work with young women to strengthen their voices," Steinnes said.

Her advice: "Support each other, and listen and talk. I want (girls) to know their voice is important."

She also says to listen when you're silencing yourself and ask yourself why you're doing it. Over time, you will be more comfortable speaking up.

"You do have something to say," said Steinnes. "It just takes practice to feel comfortable with it."

Shannon Lefley is a student in the University of Washington Department of Communication News Laboratory and may be reached via bnteditor@robinsonnews.com