Students Empowered with Inspiring Voices on International Women’s Day

Students experienced a day of motivating talks, workshops, presentations, and activities by inspirational female speakers on International Women’s Day 2024.

Victoria Humphries, a polar adventurer and three-time Guinness World Record holder, virtually spoke to students about her experiences as part of the first all-female expedition to the North Pole. She emphasised the importance of resilience in dealing with constant change and failures in life.

Australian racing sensation, Caitlin Wood, spoke to students about being a woman in Motorsport. She highlighted the importance of having more women in the male-dominated sport and shared how the sport has benefitted her. Caitlin is the first Australian woman to make a mark on the highly competitive European stage of Motorsport.

Caitlin, who has the goal of becoming the first Australian woman to win the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans, said: “I really enjoyed coming to the College – the students were really fun and asked a lot of good questions, which was really nice as you could tell they had paid attention and enjoyed it.

“I enjoy getting involved in events like this one as I want to motivate and encourage the next generation and give something back. I always think back to my time in education and how I would have loved for someone to speak like this when I was a student, as I would have found it really inspiring.”

The College’s Sports Department were presented with a signed Barnsley Women’s FC shirt by Chairman, Steve Maddock. The gift will commemorate the partnership between the College and the football club and will promote a pathway for young women to progress to the top of their game.

The Sports department also held an all-female football event with primary school girls from Summer Lane Primary, Carlton Primary Academy and Worsbrough Common Primary taking part in a football tournament.

Twenty Trinity Academy St Edwards (TASE) students also attended the College for their Women in Esports event, hosted by female Esports students. The event included a gaming workshop, coaching and discussions on Esports history and female inclusion.

The final visitor of the day was World European Champion and Paralympic wheelchair basketballer, Siobhan Fitzpatrick, for a practical workshop with Sports students to show them the skills required to play the sport.

The inspiring talks were organised by Lucy Evans, Barnsley College’s Cultural Capital and PD Co-ordinator. She said: “It is important for us to provide opportunities to the students to bring attention to equality for women and highlight the impactful achievements from women that students might not have heard of but can be incredibly relatable. I hope the students found it to be a truly inspiring day.”