We are thrilled to share that our International Women’s Day Breakfast was a resounding success. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us for this truly uplifting and empowering morning. Your support made it an unforgettable celebration of inspiration, leadership, and community.

The event would not have been possible without the generosity of our partners: Credit Union SA as Major Event Partner, R.M. Williams as Supporting Event Partner, and Zahra Foundation as our valued Charity Partner.

Guests enjoyed an enriching program featuring and Official Address by Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia, and our Patron and Keynote Speech by Anna Meares OAM, celebrated former Australian Olympic cyclist and Chef de Mission for the Australian Olympic Team for Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028. A panel discussion followed, facilitated by Julie Cooper, Chair of Credit Union SA, with insights from Grant Stevens, South Australian Police Commissioner, Tara Moses, Chief Operating Officer of R.M. Williams and Helen McCabe, Managing Director of Future Women.

The energy in the room was electric, the conversations were inspiring, and the sense of unity was truly heart warming. Thank you for making this event so special—we can’t wait to do it all again next year.

See below some key takeaways from the event:

• Over the past three decades, women worldwide have shattered barriers, influenced policies, and sparked powerful movements.
• Yet, despite these strides, many women and girls continue to face systemic inequalities, rising violence, and economic disparities that hinder their potential.
• This year’s International Women’s Day theme of “March Forward – Turning Promises into Progress” serves as a powerful reminder that reflection alone is not sufficient; we must take decisive, bold steps to transform our commitments into tangible actions.
• It is critical that we continue to advance women’s and girls’ rights, promote gender equality and foster empowerment, despite the challenges presented by geopolitical changes.
• When girls and women are given equal opportunities to earn, learn and lead – entire communities thrive.
• Men also need to be part of this conversation. It is important that men hear the stories, know the statistics, share the insights and use their influence to champion these conversations and be allies.
• The Governor said let’s focus on the processes that will drive action, sharing the positive impact the Sex Discrimination Act had in the 1980’s on her own career trajectory but also many others.
• As Anna Meares pointed out, gender is neutral bias is not. She also reminded us to put into the world our ambition, back ourselves, to be brave and proud of our successes.  Anna also noted that a big part of success is also overcoming defeat, setbacks and challenges.
• In facilitating the conversation, Julie Cooper shared her own experience of working in often male-dominated industries and board rooms, the progress she has seen throughout her career and the great work by Credit Union SA, and pointed out that Adelaide is proudly turning IWD from a day into a festival.
• Commissioner Grant Stevens spoke of the important work the South Australian Police Force is doing in taking action for gender equity, including the introduction of 50-50 recruitment targets, appointing females to leadership positions and the importance of engaging young people in the community to advance women’s and girl’s rights.
• Tara Moses shared how RM Williams is supporting women including recruiting talented women into leadership roles, providing a safe and welcoming workplace and expanding apprenticeship opportunities.
• Helen McCabe spoke of the great work trailblazers like Kate Jenkins and Dr Anne Summer’s is doing and that while recent decisions in the US have had an impact on some government organisations and corporations stepping back from diversity programs, we should expect the underlying quest for equity to remain.