Empowerment and Progress at the Forbes 30/50 Summit in Abu Dhabi
Honoring the Voices of Change and International Women’s Day
From March 7-10, 2023, influential speakers on the subjects of women’s empowerment and gender equality convened at the Forbes 30/50 Summit in Abu Dhabi. International Women’s Day was the occasion for a global meeting aimed squarely at women, and it has a rich and profound history, attended by the most notable women in their fields, among them was CEO of She Knows Business, Angelica Kopec.
Where Did This Celebration of Women Come From?
It was in the early 20th century, a time of fast industrialization, population increase, and radical ideology, that International Women’s Day (IWD) was first celebrated. Activism and cries for change were spurred by women’s struggles against oppression and inequity. On March 8, 1908, in New York City, 15,000 women marched for shorter labor hours, higher wages, and the right to vote. The Socialist Party of America officially recognized February 28 as National Woman’s Day the next year, and it was widely celebrated for the first time that year. Up until 1913, this event was held yearly on the last Sunday of February.
Forbes 30/50 Summit Hears Disruptive Opinions
Quotes from notable people were highlighted during the Forbes 30/50 Summit to highlight the continued fight for gender equality and the significance of women’s voices.
Clinton stressed the duty of those in positions of privilege to advocate for those without such advantages, saying, “Every time you stand up for yourself, you stand up for literally tens of thousands, maybe millions of people who don’t have the voice, the access, or the opportunity that you do.”The main truth is that [women] still have a long way to go, and we must not rest on our laurels.
Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska recently spoke out about the importance of women in leadership, saying, “Previously, it was thought that First Ladies are just soft power, but we have shown that it is not just a formality, we are not a soft force—and we can continue to change the world.”
Nobel Peace Prize winner and advocate for girls’ education Malala Yousafzai once said, “Stories are our most powerful tools.” Hearing my tale, people came together to help me and the millions of girls around the world who don’t have the opportunity to go to school.When we speak out, things will shift. Our narratives have the power to enact change on a global scale.
Billie Jean King, a famous tennis player and an advocate for gender equality, said, “I’ve always had this notion that champions change or adapt. True winners in all aspects of life. That’s why it’s crucial to have pay parity. We have a long way to go till we have this one-on-one. Follow the money, ladies. Stick to the money.
“Until work is divided equally at home, that is until men are fathers raising infants and little children as much as women,” Gloria Steinem, a famous journalist, political activist, and feminist icon, said, “children will grow up not thinking that men can be as loving and patient as women, or that women can be as active and achieving in the world outside the home.”
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She Knows Business CEO Angelica Kopec was able to be present at this historic occasion. Leaders like Kopec and countless others were encouraged to keep fighting for improvement by the Forbes 30/50 Summit’s focus on gender equality and women’s empowerment.