International Women’s Day is a global celebration of the economic, political, and social achievements of women, past, present, and future. Every year, thousands of events take place worldwide to inspire and empower women while highlighting their remarkable contributions. 

Our annual International Women’s Day gala dinner brought together over 170 guests at the Swansea.com Stadium, which has become a popular event on the Welsh social calendar. Attendees traveled from across the country to be part of this inspiring evening, which marked the event’s 25th anniversary. The focus remained on women in STEM, their journeys, and their aspirations to inspire future generations.

The evening shone a spotlight on the incredible work happening across Wales to encourage and support the next generation of women in STEM. This year’s event featured insightful talks from Cyber Security Project Manager Gertrude Chisamba–Laity, Data Analyst and Student Laurice Keogh, and Software Development Team Lead Cheralyn Nadal. 

Gertrude Chisamba–Laity opened the evening with a compelling talk about overcoming impostor syndrome and stereotypes, building confidence, and the importance of mentorship and continuous learning in shaping her career. Laurice Keogh followed with an inspiring look at her journey, sharing how her early passion for IT led her to recognise the gender gap in STEM. She spoke about her work as a Data Analyst while studying for a degree apprenticeship and how she uses both her career and pageantry as platforms to champion women in STEM and apprenticeships. Cheralyn Nadal then took the stage, offering an insightful discussion on the importance of raising awareness about adverse childhood experiences. She emphasised that no matter your background or gender, goals are always within reach with determination and resilience.

A heartfelt thank you to all our incredible attendees, speakers, and our wonderful host, Kev Johns, for making the event such a success. Our evening wouldn’t have been the same without our fantastic speakers. Your stories continue to inspire and pave the way for future generations of women in STEM!

Check out the pictures from the evening here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjC5sFn

Watch the talks here: https://youtu.be/W2kh3xUd2gM?feature=shared