Local charity Hull & East Yorkshire Children’s University joined forces with networking organisation Women in Business to deliver an inspiring Girls of Achievement event, encouraging more than 80 Year 6 girls from across Hull to explore a world of future career opportunities.
The event brought together pupils from eight primary schools for a day of interactive workshops and hands-on activities, supported by 19 local businesses. Each organisation was represented by women from its workforce, giving the girls the opportunity to meet professionals from a range of industries, including emergency services, healthcare, engineering and education.
The day included an afternoon tea and a Women in Business Q&A panel, where members reflected on their careers, discussed the obstacles they have overcome and answered questions from the pupils. The interactive session gave the girls the opportunity to gain advice and hear first-hand about the many pathways into different professions that they may otherwise have not considered for themselves.
The Girls of Achievement event celebrates the potential of every girl by championing positive female role models and creating a space where the girls feel valued, heard and empowered. While progress has been made in breaking down barriers for women in the workplace, stereotypes around certain careers still exist. By introducing girls to inspiring role models at a young age, from a broad range of sectors, the event aims to challenge those perceptions early, broaden aspirations and encourage every participant to believe that any career is within their reach.
Rose James, CEO, Hull and East Yorkshire Children’s University said: “We were delighted to partner with Women in Business to deliver this important event. We still hear young girls saying that certain careers are “only for boys” and we see gender stereotypes being present in play as young as 3 years old. When we have asked children to draw what an engineer, a boss or a scientist looks like, most of them will draw a character that presents as male. This event introduced the girls to women who have been incredibly successful in their field and I know that all those who attended were incredibly inspired by them. Thank you to all the businesses that gave their time”
Rachel Miskin, Chair of Women in Business said: “The girls arrived full of curiosity and it was brilliant to see that grow as they met women working in roles across every sector. Misconceptions still exist about what women ‘can’ or ‘can’t’ do and days like this help to break those down. When girls see women leading, building, creating and problem‑solving, it expands their sense of what’s possible for them.”
Meanwhile, Caroline Neadley, Committee Member of Women in Business, added: “This idea was born out of our biennial Women of Achievement Awards in 2024. Those awards always showcase the exceptional talent and resilience of women across our region and we were inspired by one simple thought: imagine the impact if we could inspire girls at the very start of their journeys. That’s why we created this day – to give them a chance to explore the incredible career possibilities available, give them the confidence to believe in themselves and know there is a world where they can rise as high as their dreams can take them.”