The University of Southern Queensland (USQ) will hold its third annual USQ Shine International Women’s Day Luncheon on Thursday 8 March.

Across the world, International Women’s Day represents an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women, including advocating for gender equality.

Due to the World Economic Forum’s 2017 Global Gender Report detailing the gender parity is more than 200 years away, the International Women’s Day theme for this year encourages men and women worldwide to keep motivated and #PressForProgress.

Supported by the YWCA Queensland, the luncheon features the announcement of 2018 winners of the USQ Shine Bursary.

Each year, bursaries are presented to USQ alumnae or female students in their final year of study who have demonstrated leadership potential and enriched their local community.

“We are very excited to be on board as a sponsor for USQ’s Shine Bursary, supporting the recognition of women who are showing leadership potential and a passion for making a difference in their community,” said Ailsa Leacy, Chief Executive Officer of YWCA Queensland.

“The Shine Bursary is an ideal initiative to enact YWCA Queensland’s vision to empower women and girls to find their possible, providing practical support for women to follow their dreams and achieve their potential.”

This year the event will be held in the Refectory on USQ’s Toowoomba campus.

The event will include panel discussion on ‘Investing in your Future’, presented by the USQ Women’s Network and led by USQ alumnae international journalist, Rebecca Vonhoff, and Managing Director of Taylor’s Removals, Melissa Taylor.

In addition to a two-course meal, the support of 29 sponsors from within the local business community means there will be lucky door prizes, raffle prizes and a silent auction.

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