International Women's Day at Brent's She Is Summit

On March 7th, Year 10/11/12 female students attended a summit hosted by the Young Brent Foundation. This annual event was a beacon of empowerment which brought together women to celebrate International Women’s Day. This year's theme, ‘Invest in Women and Fostering Inclusion,’ set the stage for an inspiring exploration of careers and the triumphs of women in the workplace.

Welcoming four distinguished guest speakers, they offered a range of different perspectives and experiences. Kim Wright, Chief Executive of Brent, highlighted the path towards inclusion through policy changes and shared valuable leadership insights. Caroline Dart's heartfelt discussion on her work within the Violence Reduction Unit highlighted her personal commitment to advance safety and equality in London. Sara Taleghani's journey as a Muslim woman in the Film and TV industry resonated deeply, pronouncing the resilience needed to challenge stereotypes and pursue your passion against all odds. Her touching film on the cost of living crisis also left a lasting impact. Toni-Ann Gurdon's multifaceted endeavours, from addressing food insecurity to empowering youth through employment, demonstrates the positive effects of passion. Her sincere reflections on overcoming personal challenges also resonated with many.

We even had the immense honour of meeting Dawn Butler, Brent South MP, which added further excitement to the day. Her trailblazing career path and resilience in the face of racism and misogyny inspired everyone.

Beyond the enlightening speeches, the summit also provided practical ways to prosper in the workplace with a marketplace featuring apprenticeship companies and employability advisers like Adveco and The Hill.

The collective experience left us all feeling not just informed, but truly empowered to enact change in our own lives and communities.