Celebrating LWLL 3rd Annual IWD Event

Celebrating Our 3rd Annual International Women’s Day Event: A Call to Invest in Women

On the 8th of March 2024, we hosted our third annual International Women’s Day event, and it was truly our biggest and best yet, with a record-breaking 160 attendees coming together to celebrate, connect, and be inspired.

Held at the stunning The Komo in Redcliffe, our event centered around the theme of “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress.” This year’s theme highlighted the importance of increasing economic inclusion for women and empowering them to drive progress in every sphere of life.

A Star-Studded Empowerment Panel

The highlight of the day was undoubtedly our Empowerment Panel, which featured some of Queensland’s most remarkable sporting personalities. Our panelists included:

AnneMarie White OAM – Esteemed media personality and advocate for women’s advancement.

Meg Ward – Former Australian Rugby League player turned coach, inspiring the next generation of leaders.

Britt Murray – Former Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain Ironwoman and a true trailblazer in her field.

The Q&A session with these extraordinary women provided a deep dive into their experiences, triumphs, and the challenges they’ve faced. Their stories of perseverance and success left the audience inspired and motivated to embrace their own journeys.

Photo from left to right – Kirsty Fields, Britt Murray, Meg Ward, AnneMarie White & Jo Stevens.

Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress

International Women’s Day is a powerful reminder of the incredible contributions women have made throughout history, often overcoming immense obstacles. As we celebrated these achievements, we also reflected on the urgent need to invest in women to accelerate progress.

This year’s theme, “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress,” served as a call to action for us all to contribute to building a world where women have equal opportunities to thrive economically. By breaking down barriers and creating pathways for inclusion, we can unlock potential that drives progress for everyone.

Highlights of the Day

The event was not only about inspiration but also about connection and fun. Co-host Jo Stevens brought the house down with her infectious energy, leading guests in a spirited karaoke session that got everyone in the celebratory mood. Meanwhile, Kirsty Fields captivated the room with a moving recital of Emily Dickinson’s poetry, leaving the audience deeply touched.

“Hope” is the thing with feathers

By Emily Dickinson

“Hope” is the thing with feathers –

That perches in the soul –

And sings the tune without the words –

And never stops – at all –

And sweetest – in the Gale – is heard –

And sore must be the storm –

That could abash the little Bird

That kept so many warm –

I’ve heard it in the chillest land –

And on the strangest Sea –

Yet – never – in Extremity,

It asked a crumb – of me.

“‘Hope’ is the Thing with Feathers” from The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson, edited by Thomas H. Johnson, ed., Cambridge, Mass.: The Belknap Press of Harvard University press, Copyright © 1951, 1955, 1979, 1983 by the President and Fellows of Harvard College. Reprinted by permissions of the publishers and Trustees of Amherst College.

Source: The Poems of Emily Dickinson Edited by R. W. Franklin (Harvard University Press, 1999)

Emily Dickinson is considered to be to one of America’s most influential poets. She has a modern and unpredictable style, but sadly wasn’t known as a poet to few more people than her family, until after death. Her poetry has all been published posthumously.

In her poem, “Hope” is the thing with feathers, “hope” is metaphorically transformed into a bird. Serving as a reminder to us that hope lives within us – within our soul, and should sing no matter what. The poem can be summarised as words to remind us of the power of hope and that hope naturally lives within you; how hope requires nothing from us; and that we’re never alone during times of difficulty and the harshest of conditions.

Thank You for Making It Memorable

We are beyond grateful to everyone who joined us for this special day. Your support and enthusiasm are what make our events so impactful. Together, we celebrated not just the importance of investing in women but the power of women coming together to support and uplift one another.

One attendee perfectly summed up the event, saying, “It was an inspirational day, with lots of new connections, such a friendly environment—I felt like I was hanging out with 160 of my closest friends.”

Here’s to continuing the journey of accelerating progress and making a difference. We can’t wait to see you at our next event!

#IWD2024 #InvestInWomen #AccelerateProgress #LadiesWhoLongLunch #WomenSupportingWomen

Kirsty Fields and Jo Stevens are the co-host of Ladies Who Long Lunch, business events around SEQ with a dash of fun for Ladies who are looking to make genuine connections in business.

Wanting to find out more about Ladies Who Long Lunch events?

Reach out to LWLL for more information!