PHILADELPHIA – The goal of the Pennsylvania Women’s Conference on Thursday was to empower women, and nearly 9,000 women prepared for an event just after Election Day.

Following the loss of Vice President Kamala Harris, many are wondering if we will ever see a female president.

The conference was full of women focused on the issues that matter most to them, but in the wake of the election results, many women are thinking those issues may not be that important to everyone.

Despite this, women in Pennsylvania say they are hopeful, proud and energetic.

“What I felt yesterday is completely gone because today we are strong, we are powerful, we are here, we are motivated and we are not going back,” Evelyn Vasquez-Gerzzyk said.

Just two days after former President Donald Trump was elected the nation’s next president, nearly 9,000 women packed the Philadelphia Convention Center for the Pennsylvania Women’s Conference.

“It’s really exciting to come together, even in an election year, after we get the results because you can see that people are still excited and motivated to do the work,” said Joi Wade, founder of JoiFul Bee in Philadelphia.

Nonpartisan conference featuring speakers including Sheryl Lee Ralph, Dawn Staley, and Martha Stewart; It focuses on issues affecting women such as health, the wage gap and entrepreneurship.

The theme of the event is “Strength in Unity,” and that’s what leaves many women disappointed and encouraged about the loss of Vice President Kamala Harris.

“It’s very important for us to stand together. I think women of all races, nationalities, and demographics really need to have a voice. We’re in a fight for our rights,” said Jade Thomas of Northeast Philadelphia.

“We didn’t get the first black female president of the United States, but I can’t say I’m surprised by that. There are so many black women who are overqualified for a job and get overlooked for someone who isn’t as talented,” she said of women navigating their career development assisted by Leah Murphy, Philadelphia-based owner of Journey for Career Jumps.

While some women are already developing strategies, Joi Wade says, “Our president is only going to be in office for four years, so how do you start laying that groundwork early to have someone in office who represents women’s rights?”

Others, like Leah Murphy, take time to reflect, rest and rejuvenate.

“Our own well-being. Our own mental health must come first as we experience and feel these emotions,” Murphy said.

Even though the election is a loss for some, the only thing they haven’t lost is faith.

“I believe that if we continue to push and women, whoever is getting ready to run in the next four years, if they put in the effort, if they continue to do what they say they’re going to do, we will definitely have a female president,” she said. Brenda Robinson of Bethlehem, with CDR Consultants LLC.

“I hope that I will be here and alive at that moment, and even if not, my children will eventually see the change,” Jade Thomas echoed.