California first lady Maria Shriver and her hubby Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger hosted over 14 000 women for a nonpartisan forum today in Long Beach, CA.

Among the presenters, panelists and guests was actress-singer Jennifer Lopez.

What was the topic of discussion for Lopez? Girl power, of course!

CLICK HERE to read her empowering and rather reflective speech. Who knew J.Lo was ever more than hair, makeup and fierce poses?

Good morning. Are we truly present? I was really honored to come here and speak to you because I get to stand here not as an entertainer, but as a girl who grew up in the Bronx w/two sisters and a strong and loving mom. I stand before you as someone who loves being a woman. I love that when life hands us our greatest challenges, we look up and realize that capacity. I love the fellowship we’re sharing here today.

I hope you leave here today believing you are the leader you’ve been searching for.

I realized early in my own journey that I had to be my own champion. Nobody told me to do what I did - most told me NOT to do it. But I was lucky enough to have a strong feeling inside that I should listen to my gut and it would guide me. When I didn’t listen is when I had my biggest mishaps.

Certain relationships make you doubt who you are and what you’re capable of and what you deserve. Took me some time to get it right in that arena. That’s why I’m telling you you have to listen to that voice. In one of my lowest moments, when you don’t have a grasp of who you are or where you’re going, when you feel the world is questioning you and you are questioning yourself. I prayed for guidance, for strength, a message, something. I picked up my Bible and the passage said be happy for your trials and tribulations because you test your faith. Perseverance. We’ll come back to that.

Many of us know what it is to be first time mothers. So as you know, there is nothing that inspires you more to be an architect of good change than giving birth to a baby - or two. You cannot imagine how it will effect and change you. It makes you understand and sympathize with every mother and every other child. YOu become more aware of the world around you. Everything in your power to make the world better - you want to do. That is the miracle of being a mother.

My dream is to launch a foundation to help the well being of all women. I decided after a lot of talks with my sister, Linda, when the time was right we would create an organization that would empower women and children. Empowering them to have their voices heard, to have the type of schools they deserve, the healthcare they deserve. Empowering them to demand change. Nothing more empowering than the love of a woman, a mother, a grandmother, a wife. Every single one of us deserves the best life has to offer.

That’s why when I was at the Democratic National Convention talking to Marian Wright Edelman, we talked about this.

My foundation will prioritize the importance of empowerment. I have lots of big dreams and envision big changes toward proper healthcare, prenatal care, pediatric care. And that, coming together in the biggest possible way is what I believe women are capable of.

Don’t ever doubt that you can accomplish more than you thought you ever could.

Don’t ever doubt that we can master those moments. You have amazing capacity. What are YOU doing to be an architect of change? It takes perseverance, so when everyone is telling you otherwise, you need to look inside yourself and be your own leader and empower yourself and others to do the same.

Let’s challenge ourselves to lead by example and claim our legacies. Nothing worthwhile is easy. It is hard to achieve what is great. Let’s do what’s hard. Let’s achieve what is great.