Contributing essayists from the books "The Secret to Their Success: How 33 Women Made Their Dreams Come True" and "The Long Way Around: How 34 Women Found the Lives They Love" met for a discussion initiated by the Carolina Women's Press, and co-sponsored by the Women's Center of Chapel Hill and the Carolina Women's Center.
Diane Kjervik, director of the Carolina Women's Center, said the purpose of the gathering was to listen to life advice from women who aspired and achieved great things in diverse areas.
"We also want to honor the women authors and hear what they have to say," she said.
Each speaker had a unique story to tell, including problems such as alcoholism and depression.
"The thing about depression is that you never know you are depressed," said Mirinda Kossoff, a freelance writer and director of communications at Duke University Law School.
"Writing became my outlet after I attended a writer's camp eight years ago. Now I feel transformed, and I am my own person."
Kossoff is not the only woman who has overcome battles to become a success story.
"My life has been made up of ignorance, good spunk and luck," said Anne Scott, a retired history professor from Duke University.
Scott told of being born during the Depression and growing up amid the women's movement.