What is needed, Knutson points out, is an increase in opportunities for those women to network and engage in authentic conversation about topics that affect their leadership paths, such as those posited by Slaughter's article, which included debunking of myths regarding women's ability to strive for their dream jobs and still remain relevant and dedicated parents. Children from the YWCA's child care program crafted talking sticks for the occasion -- chunks of wood draped in ribbon or yarn, embellished with shells and pom-poms and beads.