We’re celebrating milestones in time for the holidays! Last November 7, Connected Women communities had a total of 33 meetups across 3 countries for the last official meetup date for 2018.

On November 7, Connected Women meetups reached fever pitch with 33 meetups across three countries, including the Philippines, Singapore, and Pakistan. As the Connected Women communities around the world continue to grow, we asked some of the members what they think is the role of a community in the success of a woman, personally and professionally. Here are some of their answers:

BONIFACIO GLOBAL CITY
“It’s important that women empower and support one another towards creating that safe space where we can all gather or address our stories whether these are concerns, challenges, or milestones. This way, we keep the conversation going, get to encourage one another to own up, and embrace our ambition/s and goals. Not only does this encourage, but we also get to [nurture] each other away from mental health issues, to honor each other and our differences. Women who support women get to transform each other into achieving great heights and conquering whatever life throw at us,” says Kassy Parajillo, Chief Encourager at The After Six Club.

LEGAZPI
“Our economy is being run by almost 90 percent women [who are] small and micro entrepreneurs. We need more empowerment than ever and meeting up with fellow entrepreneurs widen our perspective, gives us an opportunity to strengthen each other, and a moment to exhale. Here we find time to learn and find new ways to grow,” said Tess Bergancia, owner and general manager of Green Nature Beauty and Home Products.

LAHORE
“The community is definitely the catalyst for not only building women’s careers but [it] also plays a crucial role in the economic development and financial independence of these women. As women need the encouragement, support, solace, and help of other women, a community can only build the most compatible support system for them to thrive. They crave role models and colleagues, mentorship and fellowship on their journey. In other words, successful women entrepreneurs and professionals require the sustenance of community,” said entrepreneur Tehmina A Chaudhry, who is the director of INSTA Foods.

PARAÑAQUE
“The role of community is to build relationships. Whether you are climbing the corporate ladder or [you are a] startup entrepreneur, you will need a support group who will motivate and empower you to thrive and grow. That is what Connected Women is all about, creating a relationship, strengthening it, and [making] it long lasting, founded by trust, respect, and encouragement. Every woman can,” said Leah Purugganan of Shared Spaces Coworking Pad.

PAMPANGA
“[A] community should provide an inclusive environment that promotes and advances opportunities and [promotes] training to hone [women’s] business skills. It is the same thing with corporate careers [and entrepreneurship],” said Remy Ybay, charter president and area director of the City of Angeles Toastmasters Club.

PASIG
“This community has given so much inspiration to women to voice out there ideas whether big or small. I believe a lot of us have so much to share, whether in the aspect of business, career, or personal life. It’s just that we are afraid to be judged. But in this community, we have learned to speak out, share, and respect other people’s opinion. Many of us have realized that we are so lucky to have found this community that will help us achieve our life goals through the inspiration we get from each other’s sharing of experiences,” said Shereene Orbina, business development officer at BDO.

VALENZUELA
“The role of community in helping women build and thrive in both corporate career and entrepreneurship is being a “confidence booster”. Every woman has a vital role in both fields of entrepreneurship and corporate world, but it is inevitable for women to be vulnerable in times of ups and downs. For us women, we need our fellow sisters in the community to remind us that we are not alone [and that] in every woman’s success, there’s a sister behind. Who else could boast our confidence more than our fellow women,” said Angelica Nievera, owner of FLN Services.

“[The] November 7 Connected Women Valenzuela was my first ever meetup. It was a nice experience to meet up new people and open new opportunities from the CW Valenzuela community. For me, [a] community has the role to offer opportunities to women for a better life, for dreams to happen, and contribute also in the economy of our municipalities,” said entrepreneur and freelancer Adela Cruz.

CAVITE
“A community can either expire or inspire women to do their passion. But for me, the role of a community [is to] drive and encourage women [towards] greater opportunities that they can look into to fuel their desire; and most especially, a support system to balance them physically, socially, mentally, and spiritually,” said wellness ambassadress and oil enthusiast, Leodivine Quizon, who is also the organizer for Cavite Connected Women November 7 meetup.

We will release a series of articles for the #CW33in3 November 7 meetups.
Catch Part 3 soon! Read Part 1 here.

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!