Founded in 1976, BYU Women’s Conference began as a way for female students and interested community members “to come together and discuss many of the issues facing women in contemporary society within the gospel framework.”1 The theme for that inaugural conference, “The LDS Woman: Potentialities and Promises,” has continued to be a north star for the direction of the conference every year since then.
Now, half a century later, as BYU Women’s Conference prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary, it’s looking to its past to set a course for its future. This year’s theme, “May We Arise and Shine Forth as Women of Light,” comes from a quote from Sister Wendy W. Nelson, former BYU Women’s Conference chair, in a BYU Women’s Conference address she gave in 2000. The conference will kick off on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, and continue to Friday, May 1, 2026, culminating in a closing keynote address from Sister Susan Bednar and then Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Other speakers this year will include Jen Thatcher, Noelani Wayas, Noelle Pikus Pace, Tamara W. Runia (First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency), Sheri Dew, Camille N. Johnson (General Relief Society President), BYU First Lady Wendy Reese, and BYU President C. Shane Reese. There will also be a special BYU Women’s Conference 50th Anniversary Session with a message by former International Vice President and 20-year committee chair, Sandra Rogers. In addition to keynote messages, there will be 85 sessions participants can attend from 175 presenters. These sessions range in subject but are all focused on faith and personal growth with a Latter-day Saint woman audience in mind; however, women of all faiths are welcome.
In honor of this historic milestone, this year will feature a number of special offerings, including a 50th Anniversary Art Showing compiled of submissions from women and young women that reflect and are inspired by the anniversary theme. Additionally, a 50th Anniversary Concert, sponsored by Deseret Book and Shadow Mountain Records, will be held in the Marriott Center on Thursday evening from 8:15 to 9:45 p.m. It will feature the likes of Hilary Weeks, the Bonner Family Music Group, Dallyn Vail Bayles, Calee Reed, Mercy River, and Michael McLean.
“We are delighted to be here with you for this celebration of the 50th anniversary!” said Jennefer Johnson, Program Administrator for BYU Women’s Conference. “We hope your time at the conference is filled with meaningful learning, strengthened faith, and the cherished moments that come from gathering with women of faith, family, and friends both old and new.”
Registration for this year’s conference is still available at https://womensconference.byu.edu/registration.