On Saturday, March 1, the Food for Thought Network (FFTN) hosted a compelling International Women’s Day (IWD) event under the theme ‘From Silence to Strength: Reclaiming the Female Narrative.’
The virtual gathering brought together more than 60 attendees from Australia, the United States, Canada, Greece, and South America, creating a global moment of unity and empowerment.
The event, expertly moderated by Helen Karagiozakis, featured an inspiring keynote address by human rights lawyer Stella Boyages and an engaging panel discussion with VASSY (award-winning singer-songwriter), Andriana Simos (award-winning journalist and Digital Editor of The Greek Herald), and Stavroula Lampropoulos (visual artist, photographer and mother).
In her opening remarks, FFTN founder and chair, Varvara Athanasiou-Ioannou AM, welcomed participants, highlighting the importance of amplifying women’s voices and honouring the network’s 24-year commitment to empowering women.
“We have been connecting, inspiring, and mentoring women for over two decades. Giving voice to women, profiling their achievements, and financially supporting underprivileged women are at the heart of what we do,” Varvara noted.
Challenging ‘His Story’: A thought-provoking Keynote
Keynote speaker Ms Boyages captivated the audience with her talk, ‘Her Story vs. His Story.’ She explored how history has traditionally been written from a male perspective, often erasing or misrepresenting women’s contributions.
“For too long, women’s voices have been forgotten, misrepresented, stereotyped, maligned, and usurped,” Stella stated. “It is time for women to be heard. Time for women to tell their story their way.”
Referencing Greek mythology, historical biases, and modern feminist perspectives, Stella traced the evolution of patriarchal narratives and urged women to reclaim their rightful place in history.
Women leading in their fields: A dynamic panel discussion
Following the keynote, three inspiring and young Greek Australian women shared their personal journeys and perspectives on this year’s theme for IWD – “March Forward.”
Internationally renowned singer-songwriter VASSY spoke about the challenges of being a Greek Australian woman in a male-dominated industry.
“I was kicked out of school choir as a child because I was told I didn’t have what it took [to be good],” she recalled. “Years later, I became a multi-platinum, number one Billboard artist. So, it just goes to show you that rejections are simply redirections.”
She also highlighted the importance of supporting women in the entertainment industry: “Women need to come together and celebrate each other.”
The Greek Herald’s Digital Editor Miss Simos passionately spoke about her commitment to ensuring Hellenic women’s voices are heard in Australian media.
“So many Hellenic women are under-recognised and underrepresented in mainstream media in Australia. My role is to find them, share their stories, and ensure they receive the recognition they deserve,” Miss Simos said.
She also highlighted the impact of The Greek Herald’s ‘Woman of the Year’ Awards, which are in their second year and shine a spotlight on ‘unsung heroines’ within the Hellenic community in Australia.
“Every year, we receive an amazing response from the community. These awards give people a chance to nominate women who they believe deserve to be recognised in our community, they encourage active participation, and foster conversations around the importance of recognising female contributions to the Hellenic community in Australia,” she said.
As a young female editor leading a predominantly female team, Miss Simos added that she sees her work as breaking barriers for future generations of female journalists.
“I hope that in my role, I can lead by example and encourage more women to pursue journalism. It’s a demanding job, but it’s one of the most rewarding ways to amplify stories that often go unheard,” she said.
Photographer and mother Ms Lampropoulos shared how society forces women to choose between career and family, a system she actively challenges through her work.
“We must stop comparing ourselves to men, to get ourselves out of that patriarchal system and stop trying to achieve the same things as them because we are different. It’s time for us. We have all the resources in the world to make our lives and our careers serve us,” Ms Lampropoulos said.
“For me, ‘March Forward’ means finding empowerment in our wisdom, our abilities and our resources. We are very resourceful so we need to build that village, stay true to our values, our wants and our needs, and also our family’s needs.”
Her words resonated with many, especially young mothers navigating the same struggles.
A wave of global support and recognition
The event concluded with an open discussion, where attendees expressed appreciation for the empowering conversations and the growing global impact of FFTN.
“Varvara, you have started a movement that is slowly but surely going global,” one participant wrote. “This is not just about our cultural pride; it’s about building a worldwide network of women who are taking their rightful place in the narrative and amplifying each other’s strengths.”
Another participant praised the event’s inclusivity and engagement.
FFTN announced that its next event, scheduled for April 2025, will focus on women’s health and menopause.
As the event wrapped up, Varvara left attendees with a powerful call to action: “We must keep moving forward. We must keep amplifying our voices. Together, we are shaping history.”
With that, the Food for Thought Network’s IWD’s 2025 event left a lasting impact, proving that women’s voices are stronger together.
For more details on FFTN’s upcoming events, visit their official website here.
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