The 8th of March marks International Women’s Day, a global acknowledgement of women and their unique strengths and fortitude. We’re highlighting inspirational women and allies in our communities, sharing their stories of how they’ve defied stereotypes, embraced their passions and paved the way for change.

Rahel - Breaking barriers in the workplace

An adventurous childhood marked by many international travels and impressions, Rahel’s career started in London’s agency world. After 15 years in the creative industry, she experienced far too many men dominating the high-level positions but it’s time to move on from the Don Draper mindset.

“Women tend to believe in the value of the collective and creativity really lies in the collective. Shared skills lead to shared success, allowing the team to shine rather than the individual. This mindset empowers and motivates people and ultimately secures richer output.”  

She showed that collective creativity philosophy with the rebranding of The Social Hub.

“Opportunities like that don’t grow on trees, I was so grateful to put all my skills to the ultimate test. I made some mistakes along the way, but my wonderful team had my back and believed in me. And we did it. Together.”

Alexandria - Overcoming gender role bias

Within her two years at The Social Hub in Groningen, Alexandria has made valuable impact as a Community Supervisor - by overcoming gender biases and people’s judgement and realising her own strengths and worth in the role.

“Managerial roles in hospitality need you to be quick with decisions, level headed, direct, tough, and do it all with a smile on your face. The stereotype of women being 'too emotional' or allowing their emotions to get in the way of being professional, might seem like our gender would stop us from excelling. But I’m an example of how experience and expertise should be the qualifying factor for doing a good job, not gender.”

Her dedication, expertise, resilience and positive attitude has guided her through challenging moments in the role and allowed her to build the community her own way.

“I do my best to make everyone feel heard and supported - I do my best to listen with intent, respond with support and follow up so they know that they matter.”

Andrea - Making a difference in our coworking community

Andrea is a female entrepreneur who uses The Social Hub coworking spaces to get through her long to-do list, focus on exciting projects and connect and contribute to the working community. Her diverse background, from being a young gymnast, to working as an architecht, to studying a Master’s degree, as well as moving countries, means she’s had her fair share of challenges and opportunities.

“I define success as overcoming challenges, embracing imperfection and self acceptance. It’s about learning from mistakes, being compassionate with yourself, enjoying the process, setting boundaries but loosening up a bit. It’s about taking care of yourself and others. The path is never perfect. Mistakes help us reflect about ourselves and grow.”

Derin - Nurturing future leaders

Last year, Derin moved to Barcelona to study her Master’s and became a valued member of The Social Hub U25 board community. Her diverse cultural background and curious mind has given her the motivation to demand equality for women everywhere.  

“Change starts with people; if we want to see change, we have to lead the change. I firmly believe that the empowerment of women should be on the agenda of all. Every room - a boardroom, classroom, community gathering - should be a space where equality is advocated for.”  

Derin is a mentor for young Turkish women, guiding and supporting them on their journeys to reach their full potential. Her approach to leadership is different from the norm.

“I’m challenging the current 'hustle culture' and what it means to be a leader. We need systematic change, instead of putting more pressure on women to be overachievers. I want to show that a leader can be soft and assertive at the same time.”

Ewa - Brand ambassador

After an event organised at The Social Hub for IWD last year, Ewa connected with our community and became a brand ambassador. As President of UN Women Spain, Ewa promotes gender equality and challenges societal norms in the working industry. She believes that equal pay for equal work is
the foundation for long-term change.

“It not only empowers individuals but creates a more engaged and motivated workforce. By implementing fair pay practices, we show that we value everyone’s contributions, regardless of gender.”

In her experience, open communication around inclusivity and equality is vital to drive change. By creating intentional spaces where people can express their thoughts and experiences, hold discussions while respecting other’s viewpoints, the topic keeps progressing.  

“Together we rewrite the script of equality, paving the way for a future where all voices are heard, all dreams are nurtured, and all barriers are shattered.”

Pierre Semudenge – An ally for equal rights

Pierre is a professional keynote speaker, has spoken to many Social Hub events and is a Dream Coach for emerging talents in sports and beyond. His passion lies in advocating for equal rights and gender equality, encouraging other men to recognise their role as allies to women.

“Some men may not fully understand their responsibilities in promoting gender equality. Awareness and a sense of urgency are key to overcoming this challenge. By educating men and fostering a collective commitment to change, we make progress towards equality.”  

Through his work, Pierre is constantly in contact with people and it’s his goal to contribute to a more unified society, where every individual is celebrated and accepted.

“Promoting gender equality benefits not only women but society as a whole. Just as a world without women would be incomplete, gender equality enriches our communities and fosters a more inclusive and just society."

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