LONGMEADOW, Mass. (WWLP) - Bay Path University held its 28th annual Women's Leadership Conference Thursday to help give women a voice. You could feel the energy and excitement for this sold-out event. Over 1,600 people came out to see their biggest idols take the stage. Speakers focused on thi s year's theme "Amplify," a call to step into confidence, boost voices, and harness potential. Inside the MassMutual Center, the audience got to hear from Former NBC Today co-host Hoda Kotb. The day also featured speeches from researcher and bestselling author Erin King as well as a former reporter for our sister station in Denver, Colorado. Her name is a similar one--Amelia Rose Earheart. She honored the legacy of Amelia Mary Earheart in finishing out her mission to fly around the world--in a single-engine aircraft. "It's about finding whatever your version of your flight around the world is because it's going to be tough and challenging," Earheart told 22News. "And if you accomplish it in the end, you can look back and learn from all those mistakes, but celebrate the wins as well." Earheart hopes that her speech will inspire women to want to grow and find their purpose. She says you never know what's next. She adds her flight experience was a fun path in her life and led her to exactly where she needed to be. The Baypath University President says this event can encourage women to be contributors, and high performers, or lead and mentor others. The options are limitless. Local News Headlines How Springfield Public Schools is handling the loss of $47M in federal cuts Springfield students explore judicial system during Springfield Courthouse tour Springfield Officer Nestor Santos named “Hometown Hero” for his bravery Gov. files $756M supplemental budget bill WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. ...read more read less