Celebrating Strength, Resilience and Opportunity at the Greater Springfield International Women’s Day Lunch

The Springfield Regional Jobs Committee was pleased to attend the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce International Women’s Day Lunch, featuring an inspiring keynote from Jelena Dokic.

With thanks to Springfield City Group for the invitation, the event brought together business leaders, community representatives and advocates from across the region to celebrate the achievements of women and reflect on the importance of creating more inclusive opportunities in our workplaces and communities.

In a powerful and deeply personal address, Jelena shared her story of resilience, perseverance and rebuilding in the face of adversity. Drawing on her experiences in professional sport and life beyond tennis, she spoke candidly about the courage it takes to overcome challenges and the importance of refusing to be defined by difficult circumstances.

Central to her message was the importance of being fearless in backing yourself, encouraging women to pursue opportunity, remain open to new possibilities and continue learning and growing throughout their lifetime.

Jelena also spoke about the role others can play in shaping someone’s future, sharing the powerful message to “be someone’s Todd”, referencing the person who believed in her when she needed it most. The message resonated strongly with the audience as a reminder that mentorship, encouragement and belief can change the trajectory of someone’s life.

The theme of “Balance the Scales” was evident throughout the afternoon, with moments of light-hearted laughter reinforcing that meaningful progress requires collective action, mentorship and leadership to create more opportunities for women and girls.

Events such as the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce International Women’s Day Lunch highlight the strength of the local community and its shared commitment to supporting women’s leadership, participation and opportunity across the region.

#IWD2026 #GSCC #WomenSupportingWomen #Community