The Food For Thought Network (FFTN) has announced a special International Women’s Day online event on 8 March 2026, bringing together global voices to explore women’s leadership, migration, and resilience across nearly two centuries.
This year’s theme, “Balance the Scales: Women, Migration and Leadership from 1835 to 2026,” bridges historical experience with contemporary realities, highlighting the enduring strength and agency of women navigating new worlds.
At the centre of the event is a conversation with Dr Fotini Papadimitriou, paediatrician, neonatologist, historian, and author of the acclaimed historical novel The First Settler.
Through the story of Ekaterini Plessou Crummer, one of the earliest Greek women migrants to Australia, Dr Papadimitriou illuminates the courage, complexity, and quiet power of women whose stories have long remained in the margins.
Following the author presentation, a distinguished global panel of women leaders will reflect on the challenges and opportunities facing women today, drawing connections between past and present experiences of migration, identity, and leadership.
Event Moderator: Maria Dimopoulos AM (Australia)
CEO of the Settlement Council of Australia, Maria Dimopoulos AM is a nationally recognised human rights advocate and a leading voice in migrant and refugee women’s rights. A Member of the Order of Australia and inductee to the Victorian Honour Roll of Women, she has shaped national policy, research, and reform across gender equality, family violence prevention, and multicultural inclusion.
Global panel of women leaders
- Shelly Papadopoulos (USA): Nonprofit leader and cultural producer, Shelly Papadopoulos serves as Pacific Regional Director of the Hellenic American Women’s Council. She leads landmark initiatives that amplify women’s voices globally, championing leadership, cultural preservation, and intergenerational empowerment.
- Pericleia Veremis (USA): With over 30 years of experience in global marketing and communications, Pericleia Veremis is a dedicated advocate for women’s empowerment and cross-cultural-cultural dialogue. Born in Greece and raised in the United States, she currently serves as Head of Communications for the Hellenic American Women’s Council.
- Chrysa Voulgaridou (Greece): A financial strategist, entrepreneur, and institutional risk expert, Chrysa Voulgaridou brings more than two decades of experience in capital markets and crisis intelligence. Born in Poland to a Greek family in exile, she offers a powerful multicultural perspective on leadership, governance, and equity f-focused organisational culture. She is the president of Hellenic Women in Culture and Tourism
Event Details
- Date: 8 March 2026
- Time: 5:00–6:30pm (UTC+11)
- Format: Online
- Registration: Essential to receive access details https://www.trybooking.com/DJJIR
This International Women’s Day, FFTN invites participants from around the world to honour women’s stories, past and present, and to reflect on what it means to balance the scales for future generations.
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