In recognition of International Women’s Day on Friday, the Simcoe County District School Board hosted its INSPIRE 2024 Young Women’s Conference, a one-day event held at the board's education centre in Midhurst.
The event’s purpose was to celebrate the “tremendous strength and resilience of students in our schools, with a focus on self-advocacy, self-care, self-confidence,” organizers said.
The theme for INSPIRE 2024 was 'Our Journey, My Story.'
The conference included traditional Indigenous smudging and teachings, presentations from speakers, as well as two interactive workshops.
Charlene Scime, the public board's superintendent of education, has been worked in the sector for more than 30 years.
“My heart is in inspiring kids, particularly our young women, our gender-diverse students, to reach for whatever possibilities they choose, to know that we are here to help them, and to feel part of a community where they belong, where they’re valued, and where they matter,” she told BarrieToday.
This is the second year for the conference and organizers hope it will become an annual event.
