A leadership conference aimed at empowering women kicked off this week with the launch of a new programme aimed at supporting Bermudian girls.

The Mary Prince Women’s Entrepreneurial and Leadership Conference opened at Pier Six today. However, organisers launched its Girls in Film, Technology, Entertainment and Design programme during a pre-conference session yesterday.

The event also featured a keynote presentation by Ibukun Awosika, a renowned Nigerian business leader and advocate for women in leadership.

Crystal Caesar, the Minister of Education, spoke at the event, highlighting the importance of mentorship, leadership and providing platforms for young women to succeed.

“Through your camera lens, with technology and digital creativity, you hold the power to tell impactful stories that move us, to build connections that bind us and design ideas that inspire and shape us for generations to come,” she said.

“I urge each of you to be fearless in the pursuit of your ideas. Do not be afraid to experiment, fail forward or ask questions that disrupt.

“This initiative, Gifted, is more than an acronym. It's a call to action.

“It's a declaration that girls are not only gifted, but they are also ready. Ready to imagine. Ready to lead. Ready to shape the future of Bermuda and beyond.”

Tinée Furbert, the Minister of Youth, Social Development and Seniors, spoke at the conference today, when she urged attendees to lead with purpose.

“Mary Prince's journey reminds us that leadership is not merely about position or title, it is about conviction, courage and the willingness to stand for what is right, even when you stand alone,” she said.

“Mary's example is a testament to the power of storytelling as an instrument of justice, a reminder that one voice, determined and unafraid, can influence history.

“Today, as we gather to focus on women's entrepreneurial and leadership advancement, Mary's legacy calls us to embrace our capacity for resilience and impact.”

The conference is scheduled to continue tomorrow.