Each year since 1911, International Women’s Day has celebrated the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women around the world.
Locally, NLS Entertainment celebrated the women of BWG with their second annual International Women’s Gala.
With community wide support for the event, hundreds filled the Bradford and District Community Centre, nearly doubling the attendance from NLSE’s inaugural event.
More than just a great party, the International Women’s Gala was also a fund raising event, in support of two local women’s groups: the Bradford Women’s + Group and S.W.A.N Bradford.
Money for the groups was raised through a silent auction and a special bar set up by Tito’s Hand-Made Vodka, the proceeds of which went to support both groups.
“We are thrilled with their willingness to work with NLSE and we hope to carry this connection forward to future events,” said Michael Gutta, event organizer with NLS Entertainment.
Ensuring that all funds raised could be included in the donations for the evening, “The title sponsor of the event, Vaughan Chrysler and event sponsor, Debbie Domingues of Royal LePage Supreme, answered the call for financial help to offset the costs of the night’s entertainment,” continued Gutta.
That entertainment was spaced out around a three course meal and included: 25 foot tall stilt walkers, an aerial cirque performance, Samba and Capoeira dancers and an enthusiastically received performance from the Magic Mike show.
While the gala was a lighthearted affair, S.W.A.N Bradford took a moment to remind everyone that International Women's Day provides an important opportunity to celebrate women's achievements.
“Tonight, we want to say thank you to all the women who pioneered and persevered so we can, not only, have a place in business, but we can show that we can run, own, manage, and start from the ground up,” said Natasha Leskiw, President of S.W.A.N Bradford.
“We are not only Successful Women Always Networking, but we encourage and help each other to grow, through mentorship and skill trading, and we see each other’s successes as the successes of our community.”
Also focused on the successes of the community were the many women in attendance that are also local business owners and entrepreneurs such as the ladies of BNI Business Elite.
“Our BNI Chapter is more than half women, so it’s really important for us to celebrate the success of the businesswomen in Bradford,” said Amber May-Smith, President of BNI Business Elite in Bradford.
Stepping away from any professional or personal obligations, the Bradford Women’s + Group offers “a place for women to come together and meet other women, an opportunity for personal development, and a really great time for women to come together and learn about themselves,” said Jessica Corbett, co-founder and coordinator of the Bradford Women’s + Group.
“We host monthly sessions on various topics and we’re a safe space for women in the Bradford community. We welcome any woman or any individual who identifies as a woman to come have some fun and learn about themselves in a safe space.”
To contact SWAN, email [email protected] or reach them on Facebook here.
To contact the Bradford Women’s + Group, email [email protected] or reach them on Facebook here.
