The theme of this year’s YWiB SFU International Women’s Day Conference was ‘Gaining Momentum’, which I found to be optimal since that is exactly what I will be focusing on in the next life phase I’m heading towards! There was a poster board in the lobby where all of the attendees could post paper butterflies containing their answers to where they will draw their momentum from. For me, I said I will gain momentum by seeing the beauty in life, singing my song, and dreaming big!

The speakers included international philanthropists, a digital entrepreneur, a government minister, an entertainment host, and more. They offered their insights on themes such as finding and utilizing your passion, leveraging your creativity, connecting with and sustaining a network of enablers and champions, building and supporting a sisterhood, finding opportunity in chaos, overcoming failure and being resilient, paying it forward, valuing your strengths and accomplishments, and being authentic to yourself.

Out of all of the amazing stories I heard that day, the biggest inspirational take-away I got out of the conference came from Tori Holmes (she who rowed across the Atlantic Ocean at the age of 21). She stressed the importance of getting yourself to the starting line of your aspirations, as you must show up for your dreams in order to achieve them. As a wise person once said, “You can never cross the ocean without losing sight of the shore.”

Thanks to this International Women’s Day conference, I’ve gained some more momentum to propel me to the starting line!

“The hour of empowerment is upon us.” – Erin Krish