On Friday March 6, three women's groups in Coffs Harbour: the Zonta Club of Coffs Harbour Inc., BPW (Business and Professional Women) Coffs Harbour and the Coffs Coast Business Women's Network (BWN) are holding a breakfast at the C.ex Coffs to provide the opportunity for girls, men and women to come together to share in the successes of our local women and girls.

The keynote speaker, sponsored by ANZ Coffs Harbour, is Mariam Issa, who arrived in 1998 from war-torn Somali, with a husband, four children and a fifth on the way. Since then Mariam has established herself to become an inspirational public speaker, published author, storyteller, intercultural facilitator, dedicated community builder, ambassador, social cohesion champion and entrepreneur. This is a story of enlightenment, education and empowerment that needs to be told!

The winner of the Zonta Young Women in Public Affairs Award 2015, Ruby Tavener, will enlighten us on how the award has influenced her life goals and aspirations.

Five finalists have been chosen and recognised by their peers for the 2020 Coffs Coast IWD Woman of the Year Award to be announced on that day. They are Auntie Kerrie Burnet, Kirsty Christensen, Lily Isobella, Kamla Ruthnam-Webb and Emma Serisier.

Winners of 2020 Southern Cross University IWD Coffs Coast International Women's Day Scholarships will be announced, as will the winner of the International Women's Day Young Woman in the Performing Arts Scholarship from a personal donation by Augusta Supple.

Bookings for the breakfast are on sale now with early bird tickets available until February 10 and final ticket sales closing on 2 March. For more and to buy tickets go to https://www.stickytickets.com.au/k3clb/