This afternoon, as part of Bermuda Women’s Day, Laurie-Ann Stovell will share her remarkable story in public for the first time.

The 33-year-old has suffered a series of tragedies — losing her mother to cancer, two of her young sons to a genetic disorder, and her cousin and brother to gun violence — and yet she remains focused, ambitious and hopeful for the future.

As the island marks International Women’s Day through the themes of female empowerment and gender equality, Ms Stovell, of Middle Town, will be among a roster of speakers from midday outside City Hall.

“I’m hoping to share that no matter what you face in life, you just have to stand strong,” she told The Royal Gazette.

Ms Stovell credits her continued strength to a “great support system” of family and friends, who have been there to help in her darkest hours.

“When I’m down, I always have a lot of people encouraging me to keep going. They remind me every day that I’m a strong person,” she said.

Her sons Znari, 13, and Riahz, 3, also keep her motivated and occupied.

“My boys are the main reason I keep pushing forward, because I know I have to make a better life for them,” said Ms Stovell, who lost her middle sons Na’Zyje’ and Azenje’ as babies to an unknown mitochondrial disorder.

Ms Stovell supports her family by working at Rosewood Tucker’s Point as a full-time housekeeping co-ordinator and part-time accountant clerk.

She is also one year into an online associates and accounting degree at Penn Foster College, with the ambition of becoming a full-time accountant.

“Growing up, most women stayed at home while the husband provided, but now we work and provide for our families,” she said.

Although others have tried to get Ms Stovell to tell her story before, she has never felt ready to speak — until now.

“I’ve really learnt to cope, and I hope that my story will help to encourage other people who may be going through hard times,” she said.

After helping other women who have lost loved ones, Ms Stovell is also hoping to launch a support group to help those stricken by grief.

“We all have a story or an insight to share that may help each other along life’s journey,” she said. “I know now that nothing can hold me back, I’ve overcome so much that I feel like I’ll forever keep pushing forward.”

Other speakers at Bermuda Women’s Day will include Progressive Labour Party MP and former Attorney-General Kim Wilson, singer Joy Barnum, US Consul General Mary Ellen Koenig, One Bermuda Alliance senator Lynne Woolridge and Hamilton Re chief executive Kathleen Reardon.

The event will benefit Paget-based charity the Women’s Resource Centre, which offers education, counselling and advocacy programmes to females of all ages.

• For more information about how you can get involved, visit www.facebook.com/bermudawomensday