Media Release: Girls of Impact hosts International Women’s Day Symposium in Tobago
On Friday 07th March, 2025, the Girls of Impact (GOI) in collaboration with the Y.E.S. Programme Unit of the Division of Community Development, Youth Development and Sport, hosted its first (1st) International Women’s Day (IWD) Symposium in Tobago, at the Division of Community Development, Youth Development and Sport, Glen Road, Scarborough, Tobago from 9:00 am-2:30 pm. The event themed “Action for Her Future”, targeted approximately 200 high school girls from six (6) secondary schools across Tobago.
Each year, G.O.I commemorates International Women’s Day with impactful programmes aimed at inspiring and uplifting young women while creating impact. This year, G.O.I took the celebration to Tobago, where the following six (6) schools and their respective teachers were in attendance:
• Signal Hill Secondary
• Boxborough Secondary School
• Speyside High School
• Pentecostal Light and Life High School
• Bishop’s High School
• Scarborough Secondary School
Delivering the Welcome and Opening remarks was Founder of Girls of Impact, Ms. Renee Atwell and the Tobago Coordinator, Ms. Trichelle Frank. Other Remarks were also delivered by Programme Administrator for the YES Programme Unit, Mr. Keigon Denoon, Chief Administrator of the Tobago House of Assembly, Mrs. Denise Toby Quashie and Assemblyman, Joel Sampson.
This symposium aimed at equipping these young women with the requisite tools and confidence strategies to lead successful lives. The one day session featured interactive workshops on self-esteem and confidence, leadership and goal setting, financial literacy, and physical and mental health from six (6) esteemed speakers and subject matter experts as detailed below:
- Workshop 1 (Panel) – Empowered Within: Building Confidence, Cultivating Healthy Self-Image, and Nurturing Mental & Physical Well-Being.
Speakers – Dr. Shauntelle Winchester (OBGYN), Dr. Alina Williams (Clinical Psychologist) and Ms. Melissa Guy (Administrator – Office of the Chief Secretary & Executive Image and Brand Coach).
- Workshop 2 – Leading the Way: Building Leadership Skills and Setting Powerful Goals
Moderator – Ms. Dinesha Manning (Programme Assistant – G.O.I); Speakers – The Honorable Ms. Shamfa Cudjoe – Lewis (MP for Tobago West) and Ms. Abeni Taylor (Serial Entrepreneur & Foreign Language Teacher)
- Workshop 3 – Building a Strong Financial Foundation: Money Management for the Future.
Speaker – Ms. Telesha Toney (Accountant & Entrepreneur)
Other key stakeholders in attendance included the Secretary for Education Assemblyman Zorisha Hackett, Staff of the Division of Community Development, Members of the Girls of Impact Board and Executive Team, Planning Team, Specially Invited Guests, Volunteers, and members of the Media.
The event was deemed a successful one that added immense value to the lives of the young women in Tobago. Discussions are ongoing to include future IWD commemorations in Tobago as part of the annual calendar event for the Girls of Impact.
To be a part of this impactful community, visit our website at www.girlsofimpact.org ; like and follow us on TikTok and Instagram at girlsofimpact868; Facebook and LinkedIn at Girls of Impact T&T or email us at info@girlsofimpact.org.
Assistant Director of Communications
April 13th 2025