The inaugural Fossil Basin Women’s Conference, themed “Keep Your Light Bright,” took place on Saturday, Oct. 5, at the Kemmerer Event Center. Organized by Trista Gordon, Director of Events and Recreation, the event aimed to support women in the community through health, wellness and connection.

With breakout sessions, a quilt raffle and a focus on seasonal depression, the day left attendees feeling encouraged and prepared for the long Wyoming winters.

Gordon said the event kicked off with a morning panel to “get everyone out of their shells.” She said the idea for the conference came after community members expressed a desire for a health and wellness workshop. After attending a similar event in Evanston, Gordon returned with fresh inspiration.

“Immediately I had in mind I wanted Cathy Holman to speak,” Gordon said. A longtime follower of Holman’s social media persona, "Prairie Wife in Heels," Gordon reached out, and Holman agreed to be the keynote speaker.

A central focus of the conference was Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a form of depression often triggered by the shorter days and long winters, especially in Wyoming. Gordon, who has experienced SAD herself, shared how the theme “Keep Your Light Bright” was inspired by the need to fight back against the emotional toll of the season.

“We have nine months of winter here,” Gordon said, highlighting the importance of finding strategies for coping with SAD. She was surprised and comforted when Holman revealed that she also suffers from SAD.

“Holman was excited to talk about the topic,” she said.

Local businesses and speakers played a key role in the day’s success. Presenters included J&A Wellness; Darlene Schulthess, who is a yoga teacher at the Kemmerer Rec Center; Tina Kruckenberg from Center of Harmony and others. Breakout sessions covered topics like yoga, local herbal remedies, grounding practices and foot zoning.

Attendees also had the opportunity to participate in a quilt raffle, which raised funds for Turning Point, a local nonprofit. Gordon was excited to announce that next year’s event is already scheduled for Sept. 27, 2025.

When it comes to managing seasonal depression, Gordon’s advice is simple but effective: “Having a community.” She emphasized the value of connecting with others regularly and encouraged getting involved in outdoor activities, even in the cold.

“Get outside. Get that sunshine and fresh air. Stick to a routine,” she suggested, adding that the Kemmerer Recreation Center offers snowshoe rentals, a fun way to stay active during the winter months.

Gordon also shared a key takeaway from Holman’s message about the importance of self-care for women, and the need to open conversations about emotional well-being with men.

“Holman encouraged wives to ask their husbands how they are feeling,” Gordon said, acknowledging that depression is a significant issue in Wyoming, especially among men who often feel pressured to be strong.

The conference wasn’t just about women’s health and wellness; it was also a call to strengthen the community as a whole. Gordon touched on the importance of supporting those in high-stress roles like search and rescue or EMT services, encouraging them to reach out for help when needed.

The message of the conference was clear: by nurturing themselves, women can positively impact their families and strengthen their communities.

Gordon and her team are already working on plans to broaden the event’s reach to include men and families in future discussions on wellness and mental health.