When we started this journey, there was no telling how it would develop and neither did we have much time to speculate. A whirlwind of activity from the very beginning, we quickly learnt to accept any obstacles. Needless to say one of the greatest gifts ever received from our community has been the honour of welcoming a string of incredible women to join our event panels. From small business start-ups to serial entrepreneurs, these women have inspired a sense of belonging in all of us. 

In February 2018 we introduced a topic for the purpose of debate entitled “Women Versus Women” and which developed into a slightly heated discussion among our guest panelists and so too, our audience. There were a few moments of silence after the question had been put to them and following some prompting, the speakers shared their views of “other women” and the dynamics of male and female dominated work environments. While some were of the opinion women provided a healthier more wholesome workspace, others argued that being in the company of men didn’t phase them and that actually they’d figured out ways to better perform regardless of the gender ratio of their peers. 

What seemed to have reached a consensus among many of the ladies gathered that day, was the idea that women are capable of multi-tasking and showing strength at times of adversity. Eventually entering the debate was the importance of support particularly from partners. Fitness trainer and founder of Active Spirit gym Angele Satariano explained  how her husband had been instrumental in encouraging and enabling her to start her own business. 

Discovering more about these women who stood  presenting their stories to us was a definite eye opener. How great is the will of a woman who believes in herself and wants to make a difference in the world through reaching out to others? At another point during panel discussions we were asked by Lifestyle Strategist and Psychotherapist Emma Hogg  to repeat after her “I AM AN ENTREPRENEUR”. The next thing we knew, we were chanting those words in unison! The whole experience, it seemed, allowed us to feel and recognise a greater sense of community. 

As one event ended and another came round, we heard from more inspirational women about their struggles maintaining their path to success. In order to delve deeper into their world we asked our guests through a variety of discussion topics questions like: What drives a woman’s ambition? How have your experiences in life affected the person you are now and what makes you stronger?

Interestingly it was our more recent guests at the June 2019 SHE event who resurrected themes from previous panel discussions such as personal growth, courage and understanding. Speaking from the heart and opening up about their life-altering experiences were academic, meningitis survivor and women and disability rights activist Amy Camilleri Zahra, hotelier and serial entrepreneur Claire Zammit Xuereb, Radio host and personality Trudy Kerr and artist Gulja Holland. Within a few minutes of listening to Amy recount her story you could visibly see the emotion taking over the room and setting the tone for the rest of the day. A short while later, we heard from Trudy closely followed by Claire who also told of their ordeals and how their lives had been turned around in an instant. Gulja Holland meanwhile, painted a picture of her own life as a young female artist trying to make a name for herself in a competitive and at times uncompromising industry. 

As one event ended and another came round, we heard from more inspirational women about their struggles maintaining their path to success. In order to delve deeper into their world we asked our guests through a variety of discussion topics questions like: What drives a woman’s ambition? How have your experiences in life affected the person you are now and what makes you stronger?

Interestingly it was our more recent guests at the June 2019 SHE event who resurrected themes from previous panel discussions such as personal growth, courage and understanding. Speaking from the heart and opening up about their life-altering experiences were academic, meningitis survivor and women and disability rights activist Amy Camilleri Zahra, hotelier and serial entrepreneur Claire Zammit Xuereb, Radio host and personality Trudy Kerr and artist Gulja Holland. Within a few minutes of listening to Amy recount her story you could visibly see the emotion taking over the room and setting the tone for the rest of the day. A short while later, we heard from Trudy closely followed by Claire who also told of their ordeals and how their lives had been turned around in an instant. Gulja Holland meanwhile, painted a picture of her own life as a young female artist trying to make a name for herself in a competitive and at times uncompromising industry. 

So what more about the value of women, their part in society and role in the SHE Malta community? At the end of 2018 we introduced the first of a series of taster workshops to our networking events and invited back a previous guest panelist and founder of “A Life I Choose” – Emma Hogg.  It was there, in the Grand Ballroom at the Phoenicia hotel that Emma addressed the uncomfortable side of networking while referencing social anxiety. As she spoke, Emma told of her own insecurities and how slowly, she had managed to overcome these. Hers was a journey of self-discovery; Emma had defied the odds and was now supporting others experiencing similar issues. 

With the intention of adding further elements to inspire and guide our audience, SHE welcomed other talents and collaborators such as Yoga, Meditation teacher and entrepreneur Yasmin De Giorgio who led an emotionally charged workshop “Going within for business success” at The Xara Lodge. Actress Pia Zammit’s animated presentation surrounding the fear of public speaking was met with a warm, cheerful applause at our June 2019 event explaining more about the natural instincts of human beings with examples going right back to our cave person days! Pia ended the session with some breath work and once again it appeared the women in the audience felt more united and appreciative of the lessons and advice that had been exchanged. On a more practical level, Dr Roberta Lepre founder of CSR consultancy firm WEAVE Consulting was also on board to inform us about the various support schemes on offer today, a topic of particular interest for female start-ups and small and medium-sized businesses on the Maltese islands. 

We have no doubt that the more women we meet and connect with, the more they will continue to add value to our community. It is with the utmost gratitude therefore, that we are able to strengthen ties and develop connections with such warm, wonderful and inspiring individuals, many of whom have not been mentioned in this blog due of course, to word count limitations!