Inspirational and celebrity speakers come to Wellington

2 NOVEMBER 2016

#SOULTalks brings inspirational and celebrity speakers to the young women of Wellington

This month, Sources of Unconditional Love (SOUL), a new non-profit organisation aimed at helping young women to recognise and overcome the invisible boundaries of prejudice and discrimination, is launching its first-ever #SOULTalks event in Wellington.

SOUL programmes have been running in Wellington since August, after a successful rollout in Auckland in April.

Since then over 100 young women aged 15-21 have experienced the opportunity to participate in programmes of empowerment – creating and delivering their own positive messages that address the unconscious bias of discrimination.

Wellington will be the first city in the world to experience a #SOULTalks event and will be treated to a line-up of talented young speakers.

#SOULTalks will feature inspirational stories by Shortland Street's Ngahuia Piripi on the importance of chasing dreams, Actor & Filmmaker Hanelle Harris on success in a male-driven industry and gold medalist Paralympian swimmer Mary Fisher on overcoming adversity.

The event, taking place at Thistle Hall, Cuba Street, on 19 November, will also see guests hear from SOUL Founder & former NEXT Woman of the Year, Julie Bartlett who set SOUL up after 10 years at the helm of her award-winning charity StarJam.

“Women in New Zealand are still facing prejudice – whether it be at school, at home or in the workplace – nearly 125 years after New Zealand became the first country to give women the vote,” says Julie.

“SOUL’s mission is to replace prejudice and discrimination with empowerment and to motivate young women to become their own role model.”

At #SOULTalks, there will also be talks by Wellington SOUL programme leaders; Mary Weir will speak about her leap from India to the trapeze, and Kataraina Godfrey will share details of her rise from a gang town upbringing to a post-graduate degree.

“This is a special opportunity for the young women of Wellington to come along and be inspired by these incredible women who have all overcome adversity themselves and have gone on to achieve and make such an impact on society,” says SOUL Founder Julie Bartlett.

ENDS

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