Hundreds attend Hamilton women's leadership summit

It's not everyday you watch as someone stands up at city hall and makes a personal pledge to help women advance as leaders in the community.

"I pledge as a strong black woman to not let labels define who I am and to do what I want to do," third year McMaster student Inemesit Etokudo told more than 100 people at a Leadership Summit for Women.

Social media enthusiast Kathy Woo may not be as comfortable voicing her pledge but she found a way in 140 characters on Twitter.

Kathy Woo at the women's leadership summit. (Courtesy Alyssa Lai)

And her promise to advance women was equally powerful.

"I didn't have the courage to pledge out loud but I pledge not to be a one-day feminist & cont to engage w women leadership potential #lsw2012," Woo tweeted.

Those pledges were part of a day long discussion Saturday about the current state and future of women in leadership.

Co-organized by the YWCA of Hamilton and McMaster University, the annual Leadership Summit for Women brought together men and women, to discuss the challenges to women of moving upward to leadership positions.

This year, the second summit, registration doubled to 200.

There were 11 workshops covering topics on female mentorship, politics and professional development.

Shared space to discuss women's roles

Knowing that the term "leadership" is a complex one YWCA's program coordinator, Alicia Ali wanted to include different voices on the table of panelists.

"We're trying to capture the very city of Hamilton, which is itself very diverse," she noted.

Mindful of this broad definition of women leadership, Ali and the planning committee enlisted the female movers and shakers from different groups to participate in a panel discussion on the topic.

This included female leaders from transgendered, racialized, athletic, academic and indigenous communities.

The seven panelists engaged in a two-hour long conversation with attendees, questioning and challenging descriptors of feminism. Each shared their own experiences as women rising to positions of authority at male-dominated workforces.

For Etokudo, it was refreshing to see a range of women leaders from different backgrounds on the panel.

McMaster Student Union president Siobhan Stewart. (Courtesy Alyssa Lai)

"We're dispersed on where we are," pointing out the diverse profiles of attendees.

But she noted it didn't need to be that way.

"It's just coming together. A stepping stone so women do not feel that they have to always hide."

Ali couldn't agree more, asking for women to recognize that they are, fundamentally, "on the same platform."

Current McMaster Student Union president, Siobhan Stewart thought the summit was a concrete example of how women could unite and support one another, despite their own differences to "work together towards real dialogue."

Stewart asked that women who do not identify themselves as leaders recognize the power of lived experience.

"Each of you can be leaders. Use your own lived experience to transform the world around you," she advised.

Furthering the discussion

As one of six who planned the first summit at McMaster in 2011, Mary Koziol felt the need to bring this year's summit closer to the core of Hamilton.

"We need multiple groups to be involved as opposed to limiting this to an artificial world on campus," she said.

"We can talk about things, issues. But we don't see the complexity of issues until we experience them," said Koziol.

Ali, a member of the original planning group, agreed.

"To not further perpetuate the stereotype that Mac is its own community," she stated. "It's also part of the broader community."

The summit was just the beginning of a wider conversation and agenda to empower women.

"Unless we critique and unpack these concepts, we do not go anywhere with it," Koziol emphasized.

Ali hopes to keep the conversation going by hosting workshops and forums through partnerships with Hamilton organizations.

"Our job is to make sure the momentum doesn't die."

Catch the glimpse of the summit and continue this conversation using hashtag #LSW2012 on Twitter. Check out the CBC Hamilton Facebook page for more photos of the event.

[View the story "Hamilton Women's Leadership Summit" on Storify]

Storified by Adam Carter · Sun, Oct 21 2012 06:55:39

What a fabulous welcome sign made by anonymous sidewalk chockers! #computer #LSW2012 http://pic.twitter.com/pfjxr6ocAlex Johnstone

Being strong doesn't mean stepping on other ppl it means standing up 4 what you believe in-Theresa B, H.Coach of Womens B.ball team #LSW2012Siobhan Stewart

Mimic what you see...reach back through the glass ceiling and help your fellow females shatter the glass! @ASuburbanMom #LSW2012Lori Moulden

Something females should keep in mind. Sexist jokes, slurs, should not be tolerated. Don't play along..you justify the system. #lsw2012Ayah

Dude sitting in front of me at #HamOnt City Hall. Great shirt, man! #LSW2012 #trendsetters #fashion #feminism #fem2 http://pic.twitter.com/dePbI6qXKate Adach

Leadership isn't just about rising to the top. Leaders sit beside us and around us, not just above us.#LSW2012Medora Uppal

Anisa Mirza is an amazing speaker! Very inspiring words that speak to gender equality at #lsw2012 being an arab feminist :)Almond ~

There are "binders full" of competent women in areas such as finance, business - we just need to elect them #LSW2012Nikki

The amount of inspiration I feel seeing all these #LSW2012 tweets - so beautiful!Maca

Be conscious, be aware. #LSW2012 http://instagr.am/p/RAvTZKKssy/Samantha Niaraki

Looking through newspapers at #LSW2012 , the distribution and coverage of women in media always throws me off @girlsleadership @GirlUpNashwa Lina K.

"Don't worry about being better than the guys. Be the best you that you can be" #LSW2012Ashley Mikitzel

@LauraBabcock leading a fantastic session on public speaking and debate! Great to see these #Hamont leaders so passionate #LSW2012Tahiya Bakht

#LSW2012 it is important for the future of women's leadership to have mentorship opportunities.EllenM

Great day at the Leadership Summit for Women! #LSW2012 http://instagr.am/p/RA8jZ1Ksp9/Samantha Niaraki

Pledge time!! #LSW2012 @advocacyhamon Fight for women of lived experience of poverty & social exlusion leadership in the communityPoverty Roundtable

#lsw2012 I pledge to be loud and rowdy and never be silenced or sorry for being myself #nerdgirlDawn Mcilmoyle

#LSW2012 I pledge to not play in the Old Boys Club!Poverty Roundtable

#LSW2012 today is proof that women don't need to cut each other down to win. Despite stereotypes, we can work together without cattinessDawn Mcilmoyle

I didnt have the courage to pledge out loud but I pledge not to be a one day feminist & cont to engage w women leadership potential #lsw2012Kathy Woo

i pledge to thank the female mentors in my life who have helped shape me to be the person i am today. #LSW2012 #YWCAAnna D'Angela

I pledge to assist young women in finding space in our community to have a voice #LSW2012Medora Uppal

Thanks @ywca_hamilton for invite to present at #LSW2012 - will do a seg on #OShow Tues about more diversity in politics @cable14 #hamontLauraBabcock

I pledge to contribute to the upbringing of my nieces and nephews so they value and respect equality and challenge the norm. #LSW2012Adam Kuhn

I pledge to be a leader of change & to continue challenging the idea that women invite violence just by being women #LSW2012Nikki

"Binders full of women" reference count: 2. Great conference! #lsw2012Steven Thompson

Listening to my personal hero speak at Hamilton's Leadership Summit For Women! #LSW2012 #HamOnt #onpoli http://pic.twitter.com/O4FrWfmVAlex Johnstone

#LSW2012 McQuaig: Income inequality extreme - avg CEO makes 250X avg worker. A hedge-fund manager paid same as 82,000 nurses...not worth 1!Poverty Roundtable

McQuaig, "in what moral universe does a hedge fund manager equal a nurse?" #LSW2012 Wonderful closing keynote in progress..Jen N

the marketplace is governed by man-made laws, which explains the gender gap... men putting in laws that favour themselves #LSW2012Medora Uppal

Are women and men aka 'people' treated equally at your Intramural games? Tell us about your experience. #LSW2012McMaster Intramurals

McQuaig says Scandinavian countries have big government, high taxes, are economically competitive and have great social programs #LSW2012Ann Decter

#LSW2012 McQuaig: Countries in Scandanavia have strongest economies in world, also most equal societies!! They are happy too!Poverty Roundtable

Linda McQuaig praises Andrea Horvath for the new 2 percent tax on high earners. "Gutsy leadership" that had big public support #LSW2012Ann Decter

"The only group suffering from tax rage is rich, older men" #LSW2012 @LindaMcQuaigAshley Mikitzel

It's time we demanded an equal society. #LSW2012Be The One

McQuaig's final comments: Time to build a society where everybody enters by the front door!! #LSW2012Poverty Roundtable

#LSW2012, I hoped you would bring chance to hear from smart, caring people. You've delivered all day. Thanks, Everyone!Andrew Pettit

@medorauppal #LSW2012 With provincial cutbacks, would #HamOnt taxpayers be willing to increase property tax 1% to protect most vulnerable?Poverty Roundtable

@Siobhanstewart1 your closing thoughts almost brought a tear to my eye. #LSW2012Alicia Ali

Just had the most amazing and inspirational day at #LSW2012! Thank you so much @ywca_hamilton for hosting this event! #GoWomenGoKelsey O'Neill

My brain is exhausted from such a great day! #LSW2012, heading home now with kids in tow : ) #HamOntJulie

So great to see feminists @jeffperera & @AdamKuhn @ #LSW2012 today! 'we limit both genders by forcing a generation to b s-thing they're not'Carly

My #LSW2012 pledge: to use my skills and passion to contribute to a political campaignCarly

3 cheers to #McMasterU fem-leaders @aliciaali @mjkoziol @Siobhanstewart as exemplars of empowered women in politics #LSW2012 #HamOnt #MSUAlyssa Lai

@jeffperera @aliciaali I agree with Alicia! You do great work and your contribution was incredibly felt today #LSW2012Siobhan Stewart

@amikitzel @betheoneproject you guys were AMAZING today! thank you so much for running the pledge session #lsw2012Alicia Ali

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