A spotlight will be shone on the Port's female leaders during an International Women's Day breakfast next week.
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Six female captains from Hunter River, Irrawang and Tomaree high schools and other leaders in the community have been invited to attend a breakfast at Hunter Region Botanic Gardens, which is being hosted for a second year by Port state MP Kate Washington and Paterson federal MP Meryl Swanson.
"I'm really looking forwards to hosting the breakfast again this year with Meryl," Ms Washington said.
"It was really heartening last year to hear from the young students, the leaders of the future, who spoke about their aspirations and to hear feedback from people who said the event had given them hope.
"It is really important to me as a female leader to encourage and support other women to become leaders themselves."
The breakfast will be held on March 8, which is International Women's Day.
Tickets, on sale now through trybooking.com, cost $10. All are invited to attend.
The event will feature market stalls run by businesswomen, a breakfast buffet and barbecue cooked by the Hunter Region Botanic Gardens team.
Money raised from the breakfast will be donated to Hunter Region Botanic Gardens and Port Stephens Family and Neighbourhood Services.
Ms Swanson said it was important to mark IWD to recognise the contribution women make "to our community, country and world every day".
"It was very special to have so many people come together last year for our first IWD breakfast and it spoke to the need in our community to recognise and celebrate women, particularly our young women," she said.
"Kate and I were impressed by how many incredible women live in Port Stephens.
"One of my favourite sayings is "you can’t be what you can’t see”. This is one of the reasons I’m so passionate about bringing young people together to celebrate International Women’s Day.
"It’s important for our young people to see Kate and I and other leaders in our roles."
Women making a difference in the community and around the world will also be highlighted at an International Women's Day luncheon being hosted by Salamander Bay Rotary Club in Soldiers Point on Wednesday, March 6.
Winners of Port Stephens Council's International Women's Day Scholarships will be announced at the luncheon.
Ms Washington is poised to announce the winner 2019 Port Stephens Local Woman of the Year Award next week.
Ellie-Marie Watts
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
