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SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- A local organization is empowering young women to make the right choices no matter what they're going through in life. The Image Initiative held its annual youth conference to help guide these girls on a path they can be proud of.

The event featured various workshops and guest speakers who focused on topics such as domestic violence, self esteem, and teenage pregnancy.

Organizers said their goal is to make the teens aware that they can do anything they put their mind to.

"You can attend Syracuse University. You can go to Le Moyne. You can go to OCC. You can leave the city. You can go to any other University if you'd like. You can start a business. You can start an organization. So, what we try to do is empower them; and, let them know that no matter what's going on, that you can in fact excel and succeed,” said Nicole Watkins, Executive Director of Image Initiative.

It's the ninth year for the conference. Many of the event speakers are actually women who attended the conference previously and became successful community members as a result.