Over the summer holidays, we had the privilege of attending the Young Women into Leadership (YouWIL) summit from 22 to 29 July. Hosted via Microsoft Teams, the event brought together participants from around the world, including China, India, Germany, and France.
The summit featured inspiring guest speakers, networking opportunities with young women globally, and culminated in group presentations to the US Embassy. Each day focused on different themes, offering invaluable insights into leadership across various fields.
Monday 22 July: Women in Politics and Public Service
We heard from Marlo Cross-Durant, Assistant Cultural Attaché at the US Embassy in London, who discussed resilience in male-dominated spaces. Councilor Sharon Thompson and MP Paulette Hamilton shared their experiences in Birmingham politics, while Tricia Stewart, one of the original ‘Calendar Girls,’ and Professor Helen Pankhurst, activist and descendant of Emmeline Pankhurst, encouraged us to be fearless trailblazers, even in the face of adversity.
Tuesday 23 July: Women in Business
We were inspired by entrepreneurs Carmen Watson, Chair of Pertemps Network, and Henrietta Brealey, CEO of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce. Stephanie Boyce, Former President of the Law Society, shared her battle against racism and sexism, reminding us to aim high and persist. We also began preparing our group presentations, learning to collaborate across time zones and cultures, and forging lifelong relationships with people we still talk to today!
Wednesday 24 July: Women in Sport
Captain Preet Chandi, Olympic committee member Donna Raynor, and Olympian Jane Torvill spoke on overcoming challenges in sport, while Janie Frampton discussed being one of the first female football referees on national TV.
Thursday 25 July: Women in STEM
Speakers such as Dr. Sylvia Wong and Dr. Shereen Fouad encouraged us to embrace inclusivity and innovation in STEM. We also heard from young engineers and learned how to break stereotypes and pursue our academic interests passionately.
Friday 26 July: Women in Culture and Media
We heard from Philippa Rawlinson, Managing Director of the National Arboretum, and Di Xiao, a world-renowned pianist. Other speakers, like Caroline Miller from Birmingham Royal Ballet and Laura Howell, artist for the Beano Comics, highlighted creativity in leadership.
Monday 29 July: Presentation Day
We presented our projects to the US Embassy staff, which sharpened our public speaking and leadership skills. Both of us had the opportunity to present our work and answer questions, which was an immensely rewarding experience.
Overall, the YouWIL Summit taught us that women can excel in any field, empowering us to pursue our passions with confidence. We are grateful to Madame Franco for selecting us for this incredible opportunity.
Mya and Eman (Upper Fifth)
