Women in Networking workshop: Two inspiring Canadian women share their stories

Women in Networking (WIN), in collaboration with the Lottotech and the National Women Entrepreneur Council, on Wednesday organised a workshop with two special guests from Canada. Margaret-Ann Blaney, a successful politician and coach, and Bernadette Fernandes, an accomplished business woman and founder of Varanda Network, shared their inspiring and touching stories with local women entrepreneurs. 

‘If I knew then what I know now…’ was the theme of the workshop organised by Women in Networking (WIN) in collaboration with Lottotech and the National Women Entrepreneur Council (NWEC). The event, which took place at the NWEC at Phoenix, was graced by the presence of two eminent guests from Canada, namely Margaret-Ann Blaney and Bernadette Fernandes, who delivered powerful speeches. The two women shared their inspiring life journeys with the many Mauritian women entrepreneurs present.

“Over the last few years, WIN has, as one of its prime objectives, conducted leadership training to Empower Women who want to take a more active role in society and who wanted to be amongst the decision makers of the island. Along the way, the training was adapted to include elements of Entrepreneurship capacity building. Recently, a number of training sessions have included members of the NWEC, amongst others,” says Georgina Ragaven, Director on the WIN board. 

The workshop was “a way to create an opportunity for these women to meet and network. It was a way for them to get together again after their courses and share what the course has done to empower them. Also, this time, instead of just a meeting, WIN, Lottotech and NWEC came up with the theme of "If I knew then what I know now", thus creating the thematic networking event with the inspirational sharing of experiences from our two guest speakers who are very much into empowering women at all spheres of society,” explains Georgina Ragaven.

During two hours, Margaret and Bernadette shared with their audience their inspiring stories of how they showed resilience in the face of adversity. Both faced difficulties but overcame them in their own way. Their main message they wanted to get out there to the Mauritian women is not to accept defeat easily but to fight back and believe in themselves. Despite our problems, each one of us needs to be ready to dream big, aim high, believe we can, be ready to take the risks, and not give up at the first hurdle or any hurdle at all. 

“Both women also mentioned the importance of having a mentor, a coach, as well as people you can trust, to support you along your life journey. Never underestimate your power as a woman. Let go of anything negative. As women, stick together and support each other. This is their message to all Mauritian women,” states Georgina Ragaven. 

Who are they?

Margaret-Ann Blaney’s story is touching as it is inspirational. The former journalist and politician, born in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, actually came from the dead. In fact, Margaret had a very rare form of cancer which caused her to flat line during her session in the hospital after a major surgery to remove the tumor. It was the doctors with shock treatment that revived her. From there, the lady, who is now a coach, only had two choices; either to live her life fully or to allow herself to die. This was the moment when she chose to live her dream and become a journalist. 

Later Margaret became the Minister of Transport and the Minister of Gender for 14 years. She went into politics simply because people said she shouldn't and that as a woman she couldn't make it. Margaret decided to prove them wrong that she was capable of many things. Her message today is indeed very powerful. As she stated, a lot of what we can do is in our mind, we just have to believe in ourselves and picture ourselves doing what we want most.  Margaret-Ann is a certified Executive Coach with a passion for coaching others to success. 

Bernadette Fernandes, from New Brunswick, Canada, also shared her difficulties settling to a new country as a young girl and how family support is in some cases vital. She has 25 years experience in the private sector and has lived in Ireland, the United States, El Salvador, Guatemala and Trinidad and Tobago. When her father died, her world crumbled, she had to learn to pick herself up again and continue without taking the easy road and giving up. Bernadette is the founder of the Varanda Network which is a boutique business focusing on export development, investment attraction and business development.  Her life motto is passion and purpose which she also applies to her business and community as well as mentoring entrepreneurs.