Sunshine Coast Grammar School hosted its annual International Women’s Day Breakfast this morning, Tuesday, 8 March at The Lakehouse featuring guest speaker, Professor Helen Bartlett, Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Sunshine Coast.
Professor Bartlett brings extensive international experience to the Sunshine Coast, having held various leadership roles in universities across Australia, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong and Malaysia.
Professor Bartlett spoke to this year’s theme ‘Breaking the Bias’ by inspiring the audience to be authentic and to be heard in the right forum before joining Sunshine Coast Grammar School’s new Principal Mrs Anna Owen on the panel of the prestigious event.
Passionate about the advancement of women and gender equity for all, Mrs Owen said this year’s International Women’s Day marks an opportunity for unity and collective action. This was apparent by the number of boys and men in the room who too support women and the importance of gender parity.
“International Women’s Day celebrates the many women and men across the world who have stepped forward and offered their activism, and at times, bravery for equality. The path to women’s equality has been long and challenging, and it was uplifting to talk further about breaking the bias and focus on building upon our own passions and values”, says Mrs Owen.
Each year, the school’s International Women’s Day event continues to grow and it was uplifting to hear from local leaders and pioneers in their respective industries, including MC of the event, 92.7 mix FM radio host, Sami Muirhead.
Guests also had the opportunity to hear from our student leaders about the importance of International Women’s Day to their generation. Sunshine Coast Grammar School captain, Taleah Smith said “it’s a day to celebrate every woman, every person, who stood up in the face of adversity.
“International Women’s Day is a day to remind us of how privileged we are. It is a day to come together, no matter your gender to create a gender-equal world, a world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination. A diverse, equitable and inclusive world, a world where difference is valued and celebrated. A world we can all be proud of,” said Taleah.