Mark your calendars! March 7, Friday, is a purple-letter day as SM Supermalls celebrates Women’s Month with the “Women Inspiring Women” forum at Samsung Hall, SM Aura. This highly anticipated International Women’s Day Summit promises to be truly enlightening, featuring 12 inspiring female speakers who will discuss women’s empowerment and how it applies across diverse fields, industries, and age demographics. The event will be a platform for learning and leading by example, hosted by UN Women National Goodwill Ambassador Karen Davila, and brought to us by SM Supermalls, SM Cinema, The SM Store, Pandora, and BDO, with Manila Bulletin as the official media partner.
The speaker lineup is an impressive array of accomplished women who have made a mark in fields such as technology, local government and civil service, business, the food and hospitality industry, beauty, e-commerce and start-ups, safe spaces for women and the LGBTQ+ community, and even sex therapy. The summit will highlight female leadership, gender inclusivity, and the power of strength, resilience, and support through dialogue, connection, and inspiration.
Small Laude, BDO Brand Ambassador, will join Jica Sy, SM Group Sustainability Champion, on stage. Other notable speakers include author Gina Consing McAdam, Happy Skin CEO Jacqe Gutierrez, BackScoop founder Amanda Cua, Unprude founder Rica Cruz, Isabela City mayor Sitti Djalia Hataman, DTI undersecretary Blesila Lantayona, Wildflour Hospitality Group CEO Ana Lorenzana de Ocampo, and no less than Philippine Commission on Women Chairperson Ermelita Valdeavilla—and that’s just a glimpse of the inspiring women who will share their stories.
In the spirit of Inclusivity, we hope the men out there won’t feel inhibited from attending and sharing their views. The idea of gender inclusivity only really works when everyone in civil society invests in the notion. Yes, the clamor to put a stop to male-dominated business practices and arenas is real, but that doesn’t preclude men from still participating. It’s about removing the bias that traditionally exists, and hinders equal, inclusive progress.
The Manila Bulletin supports this vision, not by replacing one form of exclusivity with another, but by championing true inclusivity. As the nation’s leading newspaper, it will provide comprehensive coverage before, during, and after this remarkable event.
“Women Inspiring Women” forum is happening on March 7, 9 a.m. at Samsung Hall, SM Aura in Taguig City. Look out for the event poster and materials to pre-register and secure a seat at this enlightening summit. Updates can be found at www.smsupermalls.com, or by following @smsupermalls on social media. Be counted!