Growing in Goodness, Truth, and Beauty
Well-Read Mom National Conference
November 8th & 9th, Milwaukee, WI
Join us in Milwaukee for the Well-Read Mom National Conference—a joyful gathering dedicated to awakening the truth, goodness, and beauty within.
This weekend is an invitation to all women seeking a deeper life to nourish their imaginations and experience the power of restorative leisure. Connect with a community that cherishes meaningful conversations and personal growth. Don’t miss this opportunity to feed your soul and embrace a weekend of enrichment and friendship!
Holly Ordway is the Cardinal Francis George Professor of Faith and Culture at the the Word on Fire Institute and Visiting Professor of Apologetics at Houston Christian University. She holds a PhD in English from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and is a Subject Editor for the Journal of Inklings Studies.
FEATURING SPECIAL GUEST
Holly Ordway
“To read great literature and reflect on it is, by the very nature of the activity, to step off the treadmill for at least a moment. It is an opening for the operation of grace, and one that we sorely need in our distracted, overly busy culture.”
WELL-READ MOM FOUNDER
Marcie Stokman
"We stand at the crossroads of culture. There is work to be done and women are at the heart of this work. Why? Because women are the heart of the home.
We can wonder, If so much of our energy is invested in our own little homes and families, does how I live really impact the larger culture? Do the choices I make, make a difference?
Is it possible for there to be a renewal and flowering of Christian culture in the years ahead?
...What is becoming clear to me, is that the heart of our work as women is culture building."
Marcie Stokman, M.A., is the founder and president of Well-Read Mom. She writes and speaks to encourage women and share the power of reading. She is the author of The Well-Read Mom: Read More. Read Well. and co-author of The Well-Read Life, making its debut summer of 2024.
Event Details //
Hotel Room Block
Friday Night Gathering
- Restaurants at Eleven 25 at Pabst (a food court open until 9pm across the street from Project MKE)
- On Tap (inside Brewhouse Inn and Suites; make reservations)
- Stella Van Buren (attached to the Westin Hotel...uber ride away)
- San Girogio Pizzeria (make reservations)
- Fiserv Forum Area
Group Pricing Options Available
What Past Attendees Have to Say
"Enriching, Well-Read Mom has once again created a space at the yearly conference for women to gather together for our hearts, minds, and souls to be refreshed by the richness of arts and literature. This day unites women by supporting the venture of deepening our journey in seeing a higher knowledge of the more significant works of literature. My life is truly enriched by Well-Read Mom. Thank you, Well-Read Mom!" Jill , Well-Read Mom member
"I am so thankful for your saying 'yes' to this desire to accompany women to read and read well. I am learning so much about myself reading these books I would never choose or wouldn't dare pick up on my own. Plus, I've never been in a 'book club' that actually desired to discuss the book from the perspective of really sharing about one's life and desire to grow as a person while reading" Angie, Well-Read Mom member
Thanks, fellow WRM's for your responses to our wonderful conference this past weekend.I cherished every word of your remarks.
I was gratified and astonished by the depth of our speakers. As a long time docent at the Milwaukee Art Museum and a lifetime aficionado of art, I was overwhelmed to hear Elizabeth Lev in person. Knowing that the name was familiar, I realized that I had bought her book "How Catholic Art Saved The Faith" several years ago. I found it on my bookshelves when I got home and saw that my bookmark was at page 52. I will now dedicate myself to finishing this wonderful book!
- Year of the Family Conference Attendee
I feel that my soul has been fed well; so much to ponder and give meaning to our lives...
I appreciate the positive impact of reading well and having discussions with our WRM community!
"So good to see all of you at the WRM conference! I LOVED it so much….from Jessica Hooten Wilson, to Liz Lev, to Brian Billion’s amazing performance, and the panel discussion…Not to mention the wonderful conversations and bonding at breaks and dinners with all of the WRM women 🙂
- Year of the Family Conference Attendee
Vendors & Sponsors
Are you interested in making an impact at our event, and promoting your business to like-minded women?
Become an event vendor or sponsor!
Presenters
Colleen Hutt
Colleen Hutt graduated from the University of Notre Dame’s Program of Liberal Studies. She has worked as a Director of Religious Education in Florida and Wisconsin for both children and adults. She and her husband, Colin, have five children and one grandchild. Currently, Colleen serves as Director of Vision and Outreach for Well-Read Mom. Colleen is passionate about growing in her faith, revitalizing culture, and approaching the struggles of modern life from the heart of the Church. Colleen is co-author of The Well-Read Life, making its debut summer of 2024.
Fr. John LoCoco
Fr. John LoCoco serves as the administrator of St. John Vianney (Brookfield, WI) in addition to working for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee providing canonical services. The fourth of eight children, he studied at the University of St. Thomas before discerning a call to the priesthood. After completing philosophy studies in Chicago, Fr. John attended the Pontifical North American College in Rome, Italy. He holds a licentiate in dogmatic theology and canon law. Since being ordained, he has served as an associate pastor, vocation director, and National Eucharistic Revival preacher.
Joshua Hren
Joshua Hren is the founder of Wiseblood Books and co-founder of the MFA at the University of St. Thomas in Houston. He is the author of eight books, including How to Read (and Write) Like a Catholic, Contemplative Realism, and the novels Infinite Regress and Blue Walls Falling Down.
Natalie Sanchez
Natalie Sanchez is the author of The Language of Loss, her debut memoir about the sudden loss of her father, and Becoming Human, a collection of vignettes on grief, connection, and longing. In addition to writing, she is passionate about her photography and videography business, Natalie Sanchez Media, as well as music endeavors with her band The Gekkos. She is 24 years old and lives in Milwaukee.
Conference Schedule
Friday, November 8th
5:30 KEYNOTE ADDRESS: Holly Ordway - How to be Adventurous, Wise, and Charitable as a Reader
*Reception following at Pilot Project Brewing MKE
Saturday, November 9th
9:00 Registration Opens - Vendors open
10:00 Marcie Stokman - Sisters, Awaken Your Hearts
11:00 Holly Ordway - Literature and Meaning-Making: Why We Need the Imagination
1:15 Poetry by Natalie Sanchez
1:30 Fr. John LoCoco - Understanding Paternal
2:00 Joshua Hren - Reading for “Messages” or Moral Depth -- What’s the difference?
3:45 Colleen Hutt - Stay Awake!
A Very Special Thank You to Our Conference Sponsors
