Manawatu¯ leaders provide food for thought
Three of Palmerston North’s high-achieving women will front an evening meeting to celebrate International Women’s Day.
They are all appointed Te Aho Ta¯maka leaders, part of a programme set up by the Central Economic Development Agency to celebrate high achievers who credit their Manawatu¯ roots for influencing their success.
The speakers are former Black Fern captain and the only woman on the NZ Rugby board, Farah Palmer; NZ national commissioner for Unesco and former National Council of Women president Vanisa Dhiru; and international businesswoman Linda Jenkinson.
All profits from the event will go to the Palmerston North Women’s Refuge.
The women are expected to talk about gender inequality and the challenges they have faced in their industries, and to highlight the changes they have seen and made during their careers.
They will explain the ‘‘unfinished business’’ that needs to be tackled in empowering all women and girls.
Jenkinson said she was keen to discuss practical questions at the event.
‘‘I was brought up in aman’s world and, for me, I see myself as a courageous woman.
‘‘But the Me Too movement has made me think about how I can be more courageous. ‘‘That is the question of our time. ‘‘How do we systemically change?’’ Agency chief executive Linda Stewart said the event was an example of how highachieving leaders were giving back to the region and inspiring others to be successful in their own fields.
‘‘There are some incredibly talented and globally recognised individuals who have come from, or whose journeys are connected to, the Manawatu¯.’’
The event will be held at Te Manawa Art Gallery at 5.30pm on Monday March 9, starting with an opportunity to mix and mingle. The audience will be able to ask questions following the discussion and meet informally with the Te Aho Ta¯maka leaders.