International Women’s Day celebrated at Peterborough Cathedral

March 10, 2022

Over 60 delegates came together to celebrate International Women’s Day at Peterborough Cathedral and the 2022 theme #BreakTheBias.

Delegates heard the journey of Julie Spence OBE QPM and how she battled obstacles in a male dominated world to become Chief Constable for Cambridgeshire in 2005 before being appointed Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire in 2017.

During her progression through the constabulary she took forward the gender agenda and offered the following advice ‘take the opportunities offered to you, stand by your beliefs and never give up’.

Group workshops provided thought provoking discussions around the barriers that women face throughout their lifetime, starting in education and continuing through into retirement.

Ali Stripling, Community Programme Manager at JLL, provided our second keynote speech and focussed on how we can pave the way for the next generation of women, by challenging the media and the messages we present to children and being strong role models as women in business.

Simone Robinson, Chair of the Chambers’ Inspiring Women Sector and Interim Managing Director at The Oakridge Centre, commented: “It was a pleasure to host this event at Peterborough Cathedral and see so many amazing women attending to help #BreakTheBias as we celebrated International Women’s Day.

“Bias is holding people back in the workplace and we encourage all to speak up when they hear gender bias. ‘If it is to be, it is up to us’.”

The Chambers’ Inspiring Women Sector Group supports professional women to be successful in social, developmental and inspirational environments. Men are actively encouraged to attend these sector events and be part of the journey to create a gender equal world.

If you would like to be part of this sector group please contact the Chamber on 01223 237414 or email chamber@cambscci.co.uk.