US Consul General leads the way

The US Consul General Valerie Fowler will celebrate International Women’s Day in Baulkham Hills.

Western Sydney Women co-founder Amanda Rose, KPMG director Sarah Cain, US Consul General Valerie Fowler, Hills Shire Mayor Yvonne Keane and Western Sydney Women co-founder Maria Kovacic. Pictures: Darren Leigh Roberts

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The US Consul General Valerie Fowler has worked all over the world, but this year she will celebrate International Women’s Day in Baulkham Hills.

The Consul General, whose work has taken her to places including Colombo, Kabul, Pretoria and Hong Kong, will give a keynote address at the ‘International Women’s Day: Western Sydney and Beyond’ cocktail party on March 8.

Consul General Valerie Fowler and Hills Shire Mayor Yvonne Keane will be members of a Q&A panel on the night.

Consul General Fowler said she wanted to be part of the event, organised by Western Sydney Women in partnership with The Hills Shire Council, as soon as she heard “the combination of the words ‘Western Sydney’ and ‘women’”.

“Throughout my career I’ve been the first female this and first female that … and most people, regardless of gender, don’t get to where they want without mentors,” she said.

Consul General Fowler will also participate in a Q &A panel on the night along with KPMG Australia director Sarah Cain and Hills Shire Mayor Yvonne Keane.

“I hope that something each of us says personally connects with someone who is attending,” Consul General Fowler said.

Western Sydney Women founding director Amanda Rose said the event aimed to “bring in women who are very known for supporting women”.

Event organisers and Western Sydney Women co-founders Amanda Rose and Maria Kovacic with keynote speaker Consul General Valerie Fowler (centre).

“We want to show all women in western Sydney, regardless of what area of the west they come from, that if you want to become a leader you can, and here are examples of leaders that you can be inspired by and even follow or be mentored by,” she said.

Western Sydney Women managing director Maria Kovacic said the event would demonstrate to all women in western Sydney “the kind of support that there is in the community for the empowerment of women economically, financially, in terms of education and exploring any opportunities that are available”.

Mayor Keane said the cocktail party would pay tribute to the achievement, strength and resilience of women in The Hills and across the world.

“This is an important day that demonstrates to the world the collective power of women by honouring their important contribution to every level of society – to families, workplaces, communities and on the global stage,” she said.

Where: The Hills Shire Council, 3 Columbia Court, Baulkham Hills

When: March 8, from 6pm

Cost: Free

Register: Email [e-mail]