Women in Sunderland were given the chance “get their power back” and “Be Bold For Change” as the International Women’s Day Conference headed to Sunderland yesterday (Wednesday March 7).
The International Women’s Day Conference 2017 was welcomed to the Hope Street Xchange Centre for Enterprise and Innovation with a host of inspiring guest speakers helping to promote the success of women in the workplace.
Led by the University of Sunderland, women from a number of different business backgrounds presented their knowledge and experience to an audience of potential entrepreneurs.
Kimberley Ivory of the Academy Trust (Tudhoe) programme offered her views on what changes she would like to see for women in the future.
She said: “I think I’d want to see more women in senior board roles. I’d like to see women be able to influence strategic decision-making.”
Speaking of the conference, mum of four, Kimberley, explained how events like this provide a platform for other women to succeed and encouraged them to “go for it”.
She added: “I am in senior leadership roles – I’m able to share that with other people and provide opportunities for other women.
“Conferences like this give women the chance to see in real-life that anything is possible.”
Laura Kennedy, Managing Director of Oculus HR, one of the event organisers also shared her thoughts of being bold for change and what International Women’s Day means to her.
She said: “We’ve put this together so we can make people realise and recognise that small changes (in women’s equality) can make big differences.
“It’s a day for women – to show what we are capable of.”
International Women’s Day is a global event that celebrates the social, cultural, political and economical achievements of women in society and has been observed since the early 1900’s.
How did you mark International Women’s Day 2017? Send us your photos to @SRNewsNow using the #IWD17