Amy Purdy image via her Facebook page

Paralympic snowboarder Amy Purdy has been tapped to keynote the 30th annual Central California Women’s Conference on Sept. 19.

Purdy — a world-class snowboarder, 2014 Paralympic bronze medalist and founder of Adaptive Action Sports — may be best known for competing in the Dancing With the Stars television show.

At age 19, she contracted meningitis, and was given a less than 2 percent chance to live. As a result of the infection, doctors had to amputate her legs below the knee, and she also required a kidney transplant from her father. Three months after the transplant, she entered and won three medals in a national snowboarding championship. She would go on to compete in the Paralympics.

“We researched dozens of top speakers to headline CCWC’s very special 30th anniversary, and Amy’s name kept coming up,” said CCWC board President Nene Casares. “Regardless of age or nationality, people just loved and identified with Amy’s sheer grit to live and prevail in her journey against all odds. Our 3,500 attendees will never be the same after hearing Amy Purdy.”

Tickets are now on sale for the event, which will be held at the Fresno Convention Center Sept. 19 from 7:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. This year’s theme is “Embrace Your Journey.”

It’s expected to be an early sellout. For more information, visit www.ccwc-fresno.org