As the Education Manager for Belfast, I was proud to celebrate International Women's Day at our Belfast Creative Learning Centre for an inspiring morning filled with powerful voices in education, leadership and the creative sector.

On Saturday 28th February, we hosted WomenEd NI’s International Women’s Day 2026  #IWD2026 “Unplugged” event at our Belfast centre in W5 LIFE — and what a powerful morning it was.

In the spirit of this year’s UN theme — Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls — the format was deliberately stripped back of the usual conference polish. No slides, no safety nets, just powerful voices, honest stories and a room full of women willing to be a bit braver.

A spinning wheel determined the order of speakers, keeping everyone - including the presenters — on their toes. The result was an intimate, spontaneous energy and what unfolded across that morning was something genuinely moving. A room full of educators, leaders, and community change-makers lifting each other up, one story at a time. The lightning talks and deep dives were raw, reflective and powerful.

Lightning Talks, Lasting Impact

The lightning talks were only five minutes each, but their impact lasted far longer. Here’s a flavour of what was shared:

Corinne Latham, Principal of Seaview Primary, challenged the “educational tinnitus” — the constant noise surrounding education policy and reform — reminding us not to lose sight of what matters most: the children. A rallying cry for educators to be unafraid to say, “That doesn’t work here” and to have the confidence to use the curriculum as a tool, not a cage. 

Judith Burns offered a beautiful metaphor: women are often conditioned to be harbours — always open, always giving — absorbing others’ needs at the expense of their own — until there is nothing left. She challenged the room to become lighthouses instead: still shining for others, but standing on firm ground, with boundaries that protect their own light.

Nicole O’Connor spoke with honesty about the paralysis that can come from being labelled an ‘expert’ in a digital landscape that feels increasingly overwhelming and at odds with women’s safety. Her message was clear: hope is a verb. We must consciously co-create better futures, rather than remain tethered to systems built on past bias.

Jackie Hill reminded us that leadership is about being a role model for young people, and that ethical frameworks already exist to help guide us.

Laura McAleer made the case for unapologetic advocacy — for calling out when a colleague’s idea has been appropriated, for ensuring credit goes where it’s due, and for reclaiming the enthusiasm of being a genuine fan of other women’s work.

Mambokadzi Emelia (Mama Africa) delivered a deeply moving call to action rooted in culture, identity and justice. As pioneering cultural leader she brought a powerful message about the importance of Afro-Caribbean heritage, culture and identity within education.

Originally from Poland, Izabela Dowrzycz shared her personal story as someone who came to leadership from outside the expected mould, speaking about how powerful representation is, and the importance of courage over perfection in leadership.

Deep Dives — Resilience, Recovery and Turning Pain into Purpose

The longer 20 minute “deep dive” talks brought extraordinary depth and honesty.

Fiona Holmes shared her journey through addiction and recovery with profound courage. Her message — progress, not perfection — resonated deeply. “Asking for help is a strength,” she told us. “You don’t have to carry things on your own.”

Joan Henderson spoke about the loneliness of working in isolation and the restorative power of meeting, sharing, challenging and supporting one another. “Leadership is about enabling others to rise — not doing more.”

Ciara Hunter talked about how the sudden death of her sister led her to help create and launch organ donation teaching resources for all schools in Northern Ireland — a real example of what it means to channel personal tragedy into lasting, meaningful change.

10% Braver — Finding the Courage to Be a Disruptive Woman

I also had the honour of speaking at this event but I'll admit — when I was asked to speak, my first instinct was to say no. To think, “Who wants to listen to me? What have I got to say?” That hesitation, that quiet internal voice telling you to stay comfortable, is something I suspect many women know well. However, I took a deep breath and said yes, and I’m so glad I did.

My talk was inspired by my late mum. She was, in my eyes, a truly disruptive woman — involved in activism and charity work, a firm believer in the power of a collective voice. She stood beside teenage-me on the high street with a microphone, mortifying me completely, while teaching me something I only understood much later: your voice matters. Use it. She went to art college as a mature student, reinvented herself creatively on her own terms, and when she was diagnosed with cancer, she faced it with the same steady, defiant spirit. Not loud. Not fearless. But determined to experience life as fully as she could. She taught me that life is short and not to regret the things we were too afraid to do.

She also taught me that disruption doesn't have to mean aggression. It can mean presence. Persistence. Refusing to shrink. It can mean stepping into rooms where women haven't always been visible, or simply saying yes when every part of you wants to say no.

In both education and the creative industries, where women remain under-represented in senior leadership, presence matters. Representation shapes what we believe is possible. When you don’t see people like you at the top, it quietly shapes what you believe is possible. However, leaders don’t necessarily have to be at the top. Influence can come from all levels. And women at all levels have the power to disrupt. Because disruption doesn’t have to mean aggression. It can mean persistence. It can mean solidarity. It can mean refusing to shrink.

Come for the Inspiration, Stay for the Community

There are events you attend and events that stay with you. This was the latter. What struck me most was not just the bravery of the individual speakers — it was the sense of community in the room. Women listening intently, nodding in recognition, offering one another the kind of support that doesn’t need words. It was an intimate, safe space where vulnerability was met with understanding, and courage was contagious. A true celebration of women at their best!

At Nerve Centre, we believe in the power of creativity, storytelling and community to drive change. Hosting WomenEd NI for this International Women’s Day event felt like a natural alignment of values — amplifying women’s voices in education, leadership and the creative sector. We are proud that we could be the home for these conversations and the themes that ran through every talk — courage, representation, solidarity, disruption without aggression.

So surround yourself with powerful women. Support and recommend each other. Borrow their confidence when yours runs low. Celebrate each other loudly. Challenge rooms that lack diversity. Ask the question. Raise the point. Be 10% braver.

And, remember the girls watching us, learning from us what's possible. Let’s help them grow into strong, disruptive women with integrity and resilience who feel confident enough to speak their minds and courageous enough to stand up for what they believe in.

Happy International Women’s Day. Let’s all be 10% braver.

Learn more about our Creative Learning Centres.

Sarah Lawrence

LinkedIn | @nerve_centre