SUDBURY -- More than 200 people came together Friday morning to celebrate influential women in the community.

The Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce held its annual International Women's Day breakfast, which featured a panel discussion showcasing women who have overcome obstacles related to their gender identity.

"This gives us an opportunity to recognize the accomplishments that have been achieved, to have those conversations so that that information is out in the community and people can talk about it and move that yardstick even further," said Debbi Nicholson, the president and CEO of the Great Sudbury Chamber of Commerce.

"Women have faced a lot of challenges over the years. We've moved that yardstick a great distance, but there continues to be work to be done."

International Women's Day is a sellout event for the chamber every year, but Nicholson says this is the most men they've had in attendance to date.



For Nicholson, it's important for men to celebrate this day alongside women.

"Men can mentor women. Women can mentor men. We can learn from each other. We can grow with each other. It's just important that everyone is at the table."

The four women who were a part of the panel discussions are in male dominated jobs.

Kate Bowman, a partner at Centreline Architecture, says she has faced obstacles due to her gender when it comes to her job.

"Sometimes on construction sites or projects, convincing people that I can do more than select paint colours. And that traditionally the idea that the women belongs in the kitchen and therefore is more comfortable on the inside of the building that that's not the case. We are fully capable of doing anything," said Bowan.

Bowman adds that there have been improvements since she first entered the field.

"In Sudbury alone, over the past decade the number of women in leadership roles, in my business in particular, has gone up exponentially. I believe there is three of us now, which a decade ago was zero. So that's huge growth."

During the discussion period, members in the audience had the chance to ask questions and voice their opinions on International Women's Day, including how far it has come and what still needs to happen in the future.

Karen Hastie, owner of AKFIT Fitness Superstore, says she thinks the future is in good hands with the upcoming generation.

"When I look at the younger generation I see more parody. I see young men looking at females in the same way they would look at another male. So I think that the new generation is where we want to foster and hope to see the biggest changes to happen," said Hastie.

"I think the message here is don't let your gender hold you back. If you really want something in life…be passionate about it, find ways to work around it, find allies and work with some great people."

International Women's Day will be celebrated worldwide on Sunday, March 8.