Popular Chamber Event Celebrates International Women’s Day
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The North East England Chamber of Commerce hosted an event aimed at inspiring and connecting women in business across the region to mark International Women’s Day.
Over 150 people heard from keynote speakers Steph Edusei, CEO at St Oswald’s Hospice, and Helen Zagrovic, Director of Inner City Digital, at the Chamber’s Inspiring Females Seminar.
Steph said: “The seminar was brilliant. It was really nice to see so many people. We were all there to support each other and that’s lovely.
“Having events like the Chamber seminar help to counteract some of the barriers we face on a daily basis, but also you do go away from these things thinking ‘right I’m re-energised, I need to go out and face the world again, and do better, and do more’, so I think these events are really good recharges.”
Steph shared her career journey and the practical steps she has taken to overcome the challenges she’s faced as a Black woman, including experiencing imposter syndrome from a very young age.
Steph said: “When it came to being different, I was different. I had many people tell me I didn’t belong. That fed my imposter syndrome, which is something I will deal with every single day, but I will not let that self doubt stop me now. I know what I’m good at but I also know what my weaknesses are, and that’s important.”
Helen set up Inner City Digital with her husband. The company offers web design across the North East and Newcastle.
Helen said: “The seminar was so inspirational. You know that every single woman or man in the room is there to support you, that in itself gives me a big boost.
“It’s so important to continue celebrating International Women’s Day because we need to show that as women we’ve got solidarity together, and we find strength in each other.”
Helen left home at 15 having experienced difficulties with her parents. She suffered from severe anxiety and depression and, since having three daughters of her own, is proud to have taken positive steps to break the chain of the lifestyle she was brought up in. Helen also shared the many highs and lows of her career, saying she really has “been on a journey”.
Having attended the Inspiring Female Conference in 2022, Helen felt inspired to share her story. She said: “The more I listened the more I thought I need to tell my story. Life isn’t perfect, and my story isn’t unique.
“In terms of gender equality and next steps, I think that if we continue having events like the seminar and educating people on how gender equality should look in 2023 and moving forwards, I think that’s a really good start.”
Di Keller is Strategic Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Lead at Karbon Homes and hosted the International Women’s Day seminar.
Di said: “The atmosphere at the event was absolutely amazing. The conversations and the stories from our speakers absolutely blew me and the audience away.
“The Chamber has so many contact points with so many businesses in the North East that you can make such a big difference by getting that message out, and it’s really great to see the Chamber supporting that and helping us drive it forward. Everybody can do something to make a big difference in the region.”
Di is also a member of the Chamber’s Women’s Leadership Forum. She said: “The Chamber’s Women’s Leadership Forum champions women. The Chamber’s main advisory body ensures women are celebrated. We recognise there is work to do, and we always will. We have to work towards being better than what we are now.”
On celebrating International Women’s Day, Di added: “International Women’s Day is a global day of celebrating achievements of women. This year’s theme is embrace equity. It’s about getting us all to the starting line together.
“Whatever your gender, it’s about how we support and lift each other up, and how we make a path for others to go forward. It’s about us breaking down those barriers we face every day.”
The Chamber’s Inspiring Females Seminar took place yesterday (6 March) at Grand Hotel Gosforth Park, Newcastle.
International Women’s Day (8 March) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality.
International Women’s Day (IWD) has occurred for well over a century, with the first IWD gathering in 1911 supported by over a million people.