First Campus helped to celebrate International Women’s Day by putting together a series of Digital Stories highlighting the achievements of women from the South Wales valleys communities.

The event was managed by Louise Harris who enabled all the participants to identify their own stories and to see that they could be significant and valuable for others to hear.

The theme of International Women’s Day 2011 was access to education and it soon emerged that most of the participant’s stories had a strong link to their experiences in education.

A celebration event was held on 26th March at the University of Glamorgan Students’ Union building.  First Campus screened the completed stories and some films showing the work that took place behind the scenes putting the stories together. 

Christine Chapman, Assembly Member for the Cynon Valley, was kind enough to attend the celebration event and gave out certificates to the participants.  More than 140 people attended the event, including friends and families of the participants.  Kathryn Maddy, First Campus Manager, said ‘The stories we have seen tonight are very moving and a testament to the strong, inspiring women at the heart of our communities.’

The picture shows Christine Chapman AM, Deputy Lady Mayor Councillor Sylvia Jones, and some of the participants at the event on 26th March.