The young members of Muswellbrook’s Girls Academy presented personal stories of the women they look up to which included inspiring stories of grandmothers who acted for change and cousins and past Muswellbrook High School students.  

MC Alannah Miller said “women hold our communities together” and the motto of the Girls Academy is fittingly “Develop a girl, change a community”.

There was no male-slaying, in fact the girls thanked the men who attended to support the day, one of which was the mayor, Martin Rush.

Muswellbrook Shire Councillor Michelle Green and acting general manager Fiona Plesman were also in the audience and were full of admiration for the youngsters.

“And, we also need to continue to press for change,” Ms Green said.

Muswellbrook Library coordinator Dion Hockley said she was impressed and moved by the girls’ speeches.

“I know for sure these girls will go out and be strong role models for their communities,” Ms Hockley said.

The first noted Woman's Day was held in New York on February 28, 1909, organised by the Socialist Party of America, with the date changed to March 8 in 1913, which means Women’s Day has been celebrated for almost 110 years.

The IWD website states now, more than ever, there is a strong call-to-action to press forward and progress gender parity.

In 2017 the World Economic Forum found at the current rate of progress the global gender gap will take 100 years to close, hence the trending hashtag #PressforProgress.

Other important topics surrounding IWD include empowerment, girls and women in leadership, poverty, access to education and persona and family safety.  

Muswellbrook Library is now the proud owner of a canvas decorated with the handprints of today’s attendees.

There are five pledges written around its edge: We will maintain a gender parity mindset; We will challenge stereotypes and bias; We will forge positive visibility of women; We will influence the beliefs and actions of others; We will celebrate women’s achievements.