Enniscorthy women making their mark
INSPIRING SPEAKERS TAKE TO THE PRESENTATION CENTRE STAGE FOR INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
IT was an inspiring morning at The Presentation Centre last week as ladies flocked from all over the locality for a special event on the eve of International Women’s Day. A collaboration by the Enniscorthy & District Chamber, Wexford County Council, Soroptimist International and the Local Enterprise Office, the event gathered some fascinating speakers who talked about their own lives and work as well as passing on some advice to ladies present under the theme ‘Success beyond wealth and power’.
The event was facilitated by a familiar face in the form of TV3 journalist and news reporter Zara King who threw herself into the roll and was more than happy to chat with all those in attendance. Wexford camogie star Una Sinnott was particularly inspiring as she told women to ‘go at it’ and chase their dreams. The youngest panellist and a UCD Food & Agriculture student, Una spoke freely about grabbing opportunities in the ‘now’, and not waiting for the perfect time. Una says success is something that has to be felt from within. Quoting her leaving cert English teacher, Una says the best advice she’s ever received was “People may say things. Don’t take it personally.”
Linda Doran, Director at Baker Tilly Hughes Blake, told those in attendance that success for her was being able to provide her family with ‘options’. Describing education as a “passport” in life, Linda said while her “CV isn’t a road map you’d show to a leaving cert student” what she learned along the way was vital.
Joanne Powell, a learning and development professional with QED, introduced the audience to ‘ the wheel’ which shows a breakdown of various aspects of life including ‘ home life, family, health, fitness, money, significant other, etc’ She urged women to ‘ take time out, to examine your wheel’ and ‘follow your gut’.
Irene Walker of Soroptimist International Wexford Branch, is originally from the Netherlands, and shared stories of her life working in foreign affairs from Jamaica to London and everywhere in between. She denied ever facing any cultural barriers during her time in public service, but said one the biggest challenges in her role was that ‘people don’t choose not to tell the truth, yet they tell it as the see it.’ In later life, Irene set up her own business in Wexford, harnessing her passion for antiques and is now travelling the world with Soroptimist International.
The event was a great success attracting a crowd of 59 women and one man. Chamber CEO Catriona Murphy says ‘I felt really proud of the talent and success we have beyond wealth and power within county Wexford. Our message today was about empowering all people, to empower women, and for each of us to have a day that matters.’