Women from around the area came together for the global celebration which aims to inspire women as well as share and recognise the achievements of women in society.

Inspiring Women Illawarra together with Kiama Council hosted the event and paid tribute to the accomplishments - in both life and business - of women in the area.

Speaking at the event was optometrist Dr Susan Ang. Dr Ang shared her journey as that of a Cambodian child refugee to having several practices from Sydney to Kiama.

She also spoke about establishing Vision Cambodia- a global aid for the vision impaired.

“At all of those moments of helplessness, there was fire in the belly,” Dr Ang said.

“It’s all about keeping my dream alive. I found strength in being a woman very early on and I embraced that because we can be soft and emotional, yet also have pride and strength, and I really enjoy that polarity.

“I’ve never wasted a day. All moments are like petrol in the tank and you just continue on. At 22 years old I had my own practice in Bankstown and in three years I had three.

“Now that I have become self-sufficient, I have to help others. The smiles are what I collect now and that is what gives me a sense of purpose.

“Do it and get good at it. Don’t wait for the angel, do it yourself.”

Also speaking at the event was accountant, advisor, CEO of two businesses and author Melissa Browne who strives to demystify the world of finance and numbers by empowering women in business.

Ms Browne shared her strategies in the money side of business that consider three steps of mindfulness, conversation and action.

“If we want to ‘Make It Happen’ we need to know the numbers and the money,” Ms Browne said.

“We as women simply need to be aware and understand our own relationship with money and know how to be sensible with it.

“Once you understand that you’ll start to ask the right questions.”