Toronto's body of TEDx events is about to get more diverse with the inaugural TEDxDistilleryDistrictWomen conference on December 5th, 2013. TEDWomen conferences were introduced in 2013 to focused increased attention on female speakers, and this year there are more than 150 affiliated events across the globe organized around the theme of "Invented Here," a reference to the Silicon Valley and the location of the main TEDWomen event in San Francisco. This is the first TEDxWomen event in Toronto, and the theme is sure to provide fertile ground for a discussion of the crucial contributions women have made to the legacy of innovation in the city.

Specific talks remain up in the air, as the application period for speakers is still open. Those interested in applying to give a talk at the conference have until October 15th to do so, at which time the roster for the event will be assembled. Some have questioned whether the creation of TEDWomen was a step in the right direction — why not include more women in other TED and TEDx talks? — but the counter argument to that is that a devoted conference allows for a tighter focus on women's perspectives and challenges related to gender inequality. In any case, one suspects the event will foster conversations worth having.

Photo from the TEDxToronto Facebook page