Women in need of a mid-day pick-me-up opted for chicken noodle soup yesterday.

The book, that is.

Co-author of Chicken Soup for the Woman's Soul Marci Shimoff spoke at The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel, addressing issues of self-esteem, empowerment and overcoming life's challenges as part of the closing session of yesterday's Women's Leadership Conference.

"The No. 1 human need we have is love, support and appreciation," she said. "But we get far too little of it."

Speaking to a room full of about 400 women, Shimoff included the audience in her presentation, reading stories from her book and making jokes.

She said her book title had some truth to it, explaining that like the soup makes the body stronger, her book helps keep the soul uplifted.

"Chicken noodle soup is actually very healing," she said. "It is good for everybody except, of course, the chicken."

Shimoff touched on stress factors after reading her first story, which was about a man who stopped to help a stranded woman in her broken-down car late one night.

As a result, the woman was able to make it to the bedside of her dying husband.

"Reading these simple stories reminds us what matters in life," she said. "A simple act of kindness may have an enormous effect on other people."

The presentation also addressed self-esteem issues. "For the average person, 80 percent of our thoughts everyday are negative," Shimoff said. "Every thought we think secretes chemicals in the body, affecting us."

This was demonstrated with volunteers from the audience; when the volunteer was asked to say something positive about herself, she had a lot of strength in her arm as Shimoff tried to push down.

However, when she said something negative, she had very little strength. "When you actually see for yourself the effects your thoughts have, you can catch yourself," Shimoff said. "The very first step in high self-esteem is awareness."

Encouragement was another major theme of the speech.

Shimoff asked audience members to turn to each other and to provide words of encouragement and appreciation of one another.

"I believe we would have a lot more peace on this planet if everybody told people around them that they appreciate them," she said.

Along with smiles around the room, some women began to cry.

Susan Fenstermacker, a staff member in the College of Health and Human Development, said she thought the presentation was good for women.

"This instills how important it is to have a positive attitude about yourself," she said. "By having a positive attitude, it affects everyone around you."

Other audience members shared this sentiment.

"I loved the energy and the greatness that she gave," said JoAnn Parsons, a staff member in the Office of Sponsored Programs.

"I think a lot of times women seem to be put in a secondary role, and it's important to know that as women, we can do anything we want," she added.

Shimoff also co-authored A Second Chicken Soup for the Woman's Soul, Chicken Soup for the Mother's Soul, Chicken Soup for the Mother's Soul 2 and Chicken Soup for the Single's Soul.

According to event officials, the annual conference, which is in its 11th year, is designed to give women a day of full inspiration and new ideas.

Yesterday's events, including speaker Donita Koval and various workshops, will be repeated today starting at 8 a.m.