COLOGNE, Germany – International Women’s Day (IWD) is on March 8, and this year Ford is celebrating with a host of special events that colleagues can join in.
The theme for IWD 2024 is Inspiring Inclusion and it seeks to emphasise the importance of diversity and empowerment in all aspects of society by encouraging people to recognise the unique perspectives and contributions of women from all walks of life, including those from marginalised communities.
For more on IWD and of what it means to inspire inclusion, click this link. Below is a snapshot of IWD events taking place at Ford of Europe facilities.
UK
At 10.30am on March 6 at Dunton Campus, employees are welcome to join a panel discussion in the Multi-Purpose Room with Lisa Brankin, Sam Fletcher, Sian Hodgson-Wood and Kirsty Williams hosted by Ambitious Women in Essex in association with the Basildon Council.
In the afternoon, from 13.30, Women of Ford Technology group will be running a session for Ford employees featuring speaker Sapna Mohan and a panel discussion around the theme of Inclusion.
All are welcome to attend.
Spain
In Spain, on March 8, employees are invited to join a speed networking event with senior managers at 09.30 at the Almussafes plant in Valencia Spaces are limited, so to apply for a place click this link. At 12:00 at Madrid offices a Round Table discussion about women in the automobile industry will take place.
At 17.00 at the Sport Center, an International Women´s Day Afterwork event will be held featuring an off-road exhibition with Bronco, Raptor, Wildtrak, Explorer, and Kuga Courie, plus a DJ music, food and contests. To confirm your attendance, email WoFSpain@groups.ford.com.
Germany
Ford Germany is celebrating IWD with two virtual events on March 8. It starts with a keynote speech and Q&A with Anne Lippert from 10.00-11.15 on the subject of “Are Mothers the Better Leaders?”. Then from 11.15-12.00 there will be a panel discussion with Anette Lippert (Keynote Speaker), Betty Cherian-Oddo (Pilot Plant Manager FoG) and David Weinrauch (Chief Programm Engineer FoG).
Click this link to add the event (in German) to your calendar
Hungary
Colleagues in Hungary have organised a day full of inspiring female speakers and discussions on March 8 at the Szentendre office with online webcast opportunity.
Andrea Kővágó-Laky, Managing Director of Hungary and the Czech Republic and local Women of Ford leader, will give the opening speech. Then, colleagues can listen to a presentation by a former colleague, and later by an Olympic champion swimmer about inspiring career paths, opportunities, and much more. The day will conclude with a shared-reading meeting session of the Ford Hungary Book Society.
Colleagues can register for the book discussion and see the full agenda for March 8 through the Hungarian SharePoint site: International Women's Day 2024. (accessible only in Hungary)
IWD has occurred for well over a century, with the first IWD gathering in 1911 supported by over a million people. Today, IWD belongs to all groups collectively everywhere. IWD is not country, group or organization specific.
You also can support #InspireInclusion by striking an IWD #InspireInclusion pose to show solidarity and posting the image across social media or via the @BlueOvalNow app using #IWD2024 #InspireInclusion.