On November 7, Connected Women members across three countries closed the meetup calendar for 2018 with 33 events. In this last #CW33in3 article, several members shared their thoughts about the role of community in one’s success.

The Connected Women community continues to grow as more and more women meet, connect, learn, and share their stories of triumph, career transitions, and entrepreneurial challenges. Last November 7, Connected Women members across three countries met in 33 different locations for the last meetup date this 2018. The first-year run of the meetups has been quite successful and it’s just fitting to celebrate this community milestone in time for the holidays.

And speaking of community, we asked some of the women what they think is the role of a “community” in one’s success, both professionally and personally. Read on to see what some of our members have to say.

CEBU
“Women who are engaged in a nurturing community that is driven to both support and empower women in all sectors, effect change and break traditional perceptions. [A community also] poses a challenge for women to think and seek input from other women who have real-life experiences and have pushed forward to grow and continue to reach greater heights in business and in their careers,” said Lorna Bondoc from YOVEO Digital.

ISLAMABAD
“Women need support, encouragement, and social acceptance from the society. Women have often been considered as the vulnerable and [the] weaker section of our society in terms of education, employment, business opportunities, legislation, and decision making. While women have greatly increased their share of management jobs and [entrepreneurship] over the last two decades, there still a dearth of women in top decision-making positions, as CEOs and board members.

“Women tend to have more career interruptions than men, due largely to having greater domestic responsibilities, child-bearing etc. These hinder their career growth. With the help of [the] right support mechanisms [such as] family support and paid maternity leaves, we can help them create work-life balance. Men need to believe in women, fathers need to believe in daughters, husbands need to believe in wives, and brothers need to believe in sisters. Altogether, society needs to believe in women,” shared entrepreneur Zia S. Hasan.

MAKATI
“Empowering women can build better communities and break the barriers that can strengthen nation-building and inclusive growth. A woman who invested in herself to be a better person and sensitive to contribute in for the greater good of society will probably raise a child that will continue a promising future generation of leaders and professionals,” shared Judy Lorenzo, founder of myBOSS.asia.

SUBIC / ZAMBALES
“I’m an ambivert but most of the time, my introvert side takes over and this has made me struggle with building relationships and connecting with people. I enjoy being in the company of genuine people but the thought of starting a conversation has always scared me. The Connected Women community helped bring out the extrovert in me. Being surrounded by like-minded women made me feel like I can be open with them and that starting a conversation and building lasting relationships will never be a problem. Attending and being able to co-host the Connected Women meetup has given me the confidence and courage to take on the world,” shared Meshyr Vinly Fantone–Piepgrass, owner of Entropy Internet Café.

CALAMBA
“Community is like a family that will help you to learn, connect, grow, and share your ability, skills, expertise, and knowledge to be a woman of success. It also helps entrepreneurs to change the way we live and work by creating job opportunities to be able to support the economic empowerment of women and at the same time, the flourishing society. These opportunities [build] a support system [wherein] women and families thrive and grow,” said entrepreneur Shirly P. Caraan.

DAVAO
“Belonging to a community makes us feel safe. And when we find that familiar thread that brings us together, it builds confidence that empowers us to not just survive, but thrive. To thrive is finding a higher purpose, whether you are [building a business] or a corporate career. And we all thrive on genuine encouragement from others—[those] who share our experiences. So, I guess the role of community is to encourage and build up truly empowered women who will rise and thrive in anything they choose to do,” said digital marketer Marj Bulahan.

BAGUIO
“Community means support whenever you need it. And for women entrepreneurs, professionals, and online workers, it can be a constant source of strength and inspiration. Sometimes, women feel that we are so different from each other, but when we get together, we find out that we are experiencing the same challenges. Whether we know each other well or not, a simple ‘You got this!’ can do wonders to one’s spirit and help one push on, especially during extra-challenging days. Being surrounded by like-minded women who are willing to lift each other up and give any support is what every woman deserves,” said Connected Women program manager Liezl Formilleza-Dunuan.

CAGAYAN DE ORO
“In the past 10 years of my working experience as an IT professional, [being in a community] was educational and it helped me gain the skills or experiences that I will be [needing] in my future endeavors. Back then, there were no communities or companies that support women to establish their craft. Today, more and more women in business and corporate industries have excelled in their chosen careers and are getting involved in social causes because of the community. I am happy that I get a chance to become a volunteer for Connected Women. In this community, I can be myself [because] the people I get to meet will never judge [me for who I am]. I have found a new circle of women who have the same mission—to help each other succeed and have that sense of fulfillment,” said former IT professional Joan Merced Sheng who is now a freelance writer and blogger.

MARAWI
“On November 7, Connected Women, the N-Peace Network, and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched the first Connected Women Meetup in Marawi. Simultaneously happening on the same day were meetups of women entrepreneurs, professionals, and freelancers in 32 other cities across Singapore, the UK, and the Philippines. Over fifty women from Marawi and neighboring areas attended the event, which majority only came to know about from coming across a public invitation over Facebook. Despite a seemingly long way to go to regain normalcy, the Maranaos proved to be strong and remarkably ingenious at coping with difficulties,” shared Connected Women Community Manager Ria San Gabriel.

We released a series of articles for the #CW33in3 November 7 meetups.
Read Part 1 and Part 2.

Are You Ready For The 2019 Meetups?
Official global meetups happen every six weeks. The official 2019 meetup dates will be announced soon. Sign up here if you want to attend or host one in your city!