PICTURES: 'An annual must' - International Women’s Day Event in County Derry

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“Exceedingly professionally delivered; interesting; informative; exhilarating; inspiring; encouraging; supportive; heartwarming; thoughtful; moving; joyful; beneficial and exceptionally empowering. I thought the calibre of every single person who spoke to be exceptional!”

Just one of the overwhelming positive comments from this year’s CelebrateHER conference, where 300 women, from across the Causeway community and beyond, gathered at Ulster University Coleraine on Tuesday, March 4, for a day filled with inspirational talks and authentic connections.

CelebratingHER - 300 women, from across the Causeway community and beyond, gathered at Ulster University, Coleraine on Tuesday 4th March, for the highly anticipated CelebrateHER Conference – an exceptionally motivational day, filled with inspirational talks and the spark of authentic connections.

Digg Mama and Digg for Success Founder, Caroline O'Neill, returned as the engaging host, exploring the theme of ‘Accelerate Action’ with help from some leading motivational keynote speakers and panellists including Olympic gold medallists Lady Mary Peters and Hannah Scott, and former Irish Navy Ships Captain and founder of Navmar Leadership, Marie Gleeson.

The annual event is delivered in partnership between Enterprise Causeway and Ulster University, and this year, was supported by the Department for the Economy, Go Succeed, Turley Legal and the International Fund for Ireland as part of the cross-border, Connecting Communities project.

More than just a conference, CelebrateHER provides a space where women have the chance to learn from others, to feel uplifted through nuggets and insights shared by real women, facing similar challenges as them; as well as the chance to build lasting connections through facilitated networking.

Amongst the standout highlight’s of the day was ‘Connect Bingo’, where attendees stepped out of their comfort zones, shared valuable tips (from must-read books to life-changing podcasts), and bonded over conversations that could lead to future collaborations; and a stunningly moving performance by Dr Marie Lacet, Director of Belfast Community Gospel Choir, who certainly made everyone “feel like a natural woman” with her heartfelt performance.

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Reflecting on the day, Jayne Taggart, CEO of Enterprise Causeway noted: 

“Wow! Phenomenal turnout and such rich engagement from all of the ladies who joined us to CelebrateHER. Events of this scale and diversity are few and far between for the North Coast, so it’s a true honour for us to deliver this International Women’s Day event.

Alongside our partners at Ulster University, we are committed to making CelebrateHER an unforgettable, high-calibre annual conference - one that empowers women to push boundaries, embrace leadership and celebrate their achievements with pride!

We are delighted to see the love and appreciation that it brings to those who attend and are so very proud to see it grow into something truly special.”

“I would also like to take this opportunity to bestow a huge thanks to this year’s sponsors: the Department for the Economy, Go Succeed, Turley Legal and the International Fund for Ireland, in helping make this event possible.”

Professor Malachy Ó Néill, Director of Regional Development at Ulster University commented,

“It was a great privilege for Ulster University to welcome 300 guests to the Coleraine campus for this year’s CelebrateHER Conference in honour of International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025.

‘Accelerate Action’ is the campaign theme for IWD 2025, which enforces the important point that it is the responsibility of us all to continue to make strides towards gender equality.

Through unpacking this theme, speakers, panellists and guests contributed to thought-provoking discussions that highlighted the very real, systemic barriers and biases that women face in both personal and professional settings.

Ulster University is incredibly proud to partner in the CelebrateHER Conference, which underscores our deep commitment to advancing progress in gender equality in areas both within and outside the University where we have a substantial impact.

“Building on the success of previous year’s IWD events, it was wonderful to see a growing number of women from all backgrounds and sectors across the North-West region and beyond coming together to form new connections and enjoy an uplifting and inspiring day.

“It was particularly joyous for us to welcome back many Ulster University alumni, both as inspirational key speakers and as attendees at this meaningful event, as well as colleagues from our staff community.

“CelebrateHER gives powerful recognition to the vital contribution of women’s leadership in our communities, in business and at every level in our society, and it was our pleasure to support this important event once again this year in partnership with Enterprise Causeway.”

Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Tanya Stirling, said,

“I was delighted to join attendees at the CelebrateHER Conference this March.

“I enjoyed joining women from many different backgrounds to celebrate and share ideas, achievements and of course to collaborate and support each other.

“As Deputy Mayor, I am in a position where I get to meet women from all walks of life who take on many interesting and varied roles. I was delighted to have an opportunity to engage with many of them and discuss their plans for the future.

“My thanks again to the team at Enterprise Causeway for inviting me along to what was a very inspiring day.”