For Yajing de Haan Huang, the path to a college education wasn't typical.

The China native went to work right out of high school, married, traveled and had two children. Now she's in her third year at Gainesville College, preparing for Lanier Technical College's dental hygienist program. Huang said it's a tough but worthwhile balance.

"It's very hard," said Huang, who added that she sometimes feels guilty for not spending more time with her children. "I believe in myself and I have always wanted it."

Huang was one of many area students honored at the Third Annual Women's Luncheon held Friday at Gainesville College in Oakwood.

"(The purpose) is to recognize upcoming women leaders, in high school as well as in college," said Andre Cheek, the college's director of minority affairs. She said the luncheon usually takes place in March, Women's History Month, but due to scheduling conflicts, fell in April this year.

Gainesville College freshman Renee Silcott came up with the event's theme: "Triumph & Achievement."

"We knew we needed something powerful that would symbolize what we wanted these young ladies to take from this event," Silcott said.

Counselors, teachers and professors nominated a junior and senior from 12 Hall County high schools as well as Gainesville College students with at least 30 hours. The students had to have at least a 3.0 gradepoint average, be leaders in the classroom and community, and active at their schools.

The young women attended a workshop and panel discussion before the luncheon. They discussed nontraditional careers, thinking "outside the box" and their goals. "It helps me to see that if that is what I want, then I can do it," Huang said.

Keynote speaker Tiffany Cochran, a news anchor and reporter for TV station WXIA-11 in Atlanta, reiterated that idea.

"It's so great to be able to celebrate being a woman," Cochran said to a room full of applause. "This is a great time to be a woman."

She said she had "three simple things" to share with the audience: "Believe in yourself ... Don't be afraid to do the impossible ... Look back and bring another woman along with you."

The luncheon was held in the memory of the late Frances J. Meadows, former assistant director of financial aid at Gainesville College and the first black woman elected as a Hall County commissioner. Several speakers paid homage to Meadows as a woman who exemplified both triumph and achievement during her life.

During her speech, Cochran said it was OK for women to think big and go after professions that traditionally haven't been for women. "Never let anyone box you in. ... There's nothing wrong with wanting the best for yourself."

She added: "Wake up every day knowing you have the opportunity to make a difference."