This year more than ever, International Women’s Day is an important moment to recognise the women who are shaping Rotaract across Great Britain and Ireland. Within Rotaract, there are many women who lead with determination, bold ideas and a commitment to our vibrant community who deserve recognition. This year’s theme, Give to Gain, feels especially meaningful because it captures the way Rotaract works. When members give their time and ideas to support others, they often gain new perspectives, confidence and a stronger sense of connection within the community.

As Chair of Rotaract Great Britain & Ireland, I have the privilege of seeing women lead projects, uplift communities and inspire others every day. They deliver a wide range of initiatives, from organising food bank collections and fundraisers to supporting local projects, running wellbeing initiatives and partnering with local organisations. What stands out to me is not just the impact of these projects, but the way women lead them.

To mark International Women’s Day, I spoke with Rotaractors from across our network about what Give to Gain means to them and what inclusion looks like within our community.

Elise Nassif, from the Rotaract Club of Wandsworth, started by telling me that;

“To me, Give to Gain reflects the essence of service and leadership. Throughout my journey in Rotaract, I have learned that when you give your time, energy, and commitment to others, you gain far more in return. The gain is not material, but rather the growth, the relationships, and the impact you create. Through service projects, leadership opportunities, and working with incredible people from around the world, giving to others has allowed me to grow both personally and professionally.”

Raquel D'Garay-Juncal, from the Rotaract Club of Tyneside, reflected that to her ‘Give to Gain’.

“Is the essence of service, the idea that by giving our time, heart, and energy, we gain perspective, purpose, and connection. Service helps us discover what truly matters, both in our communities and within ourselves.”

These reflections capture something that I know many Rotaractors experience. For me, Give to Gain captures the essence of the Rotaract experience. When we give our time, energy and ideas to something, we gain far more in return. That gain might be confidence, friendships, skills or a renewed sense of purpose and often, it is all of those things combined. International Women’s Day reminds us that even small contributions can create a meaningful difference.

Heloisa Chambisse, from the Rotaract Club of Westminster, elaborated;

“What this theme means to me is that the more of ourselves we give, the more we end up gaining as a result, not only for our benefit but for those around us. When we give a chance, we gain opportunities. When we give ourselves, we gain a better society, a better world.”

International Women’s Day also reminds us of the importance of everyone creating spaces where women feel safe to contribute and lead. In Rotaract, that means celebrating different perspectives, challenging inequity when we encounter it, encouraging people to lead with confidence and ensuring every member feels valued and heard.

Katie Rushbrook, from the Rotaract Club of Westminster International, shared that;

“Rotaract is a friendly and inclusive space, with many female leaders who advocate for each other and a community which feels like a family. Especially in London, our community comes from all over the world, so it's hard not to feel included when we're all celebrating our roots and what makes us unique.”

Francesca Chiaradia, from the Rotaract Club of Aberdeen, added;

“Rotaract is a safe and conducive environment for growth because women are not only celebrated but also empowered to lead. It’s a space where women are encouraged to step forward, take initiative, and grow into leadership roles with the support of the community around them.”

Leadership in Rotaract is rarely about standing alone at the front of the room. More often, it is about bringing others with you, creating opportunities for people to contribute and celebrating the strengths within a team. Through projects, meetings and shared experiences, Rotaract creates important opportunities where members gain confidence, build leadership skills and support one another. Every project, every meeting and every moment of support becomes an opportunity to inspire another person to lead.

Francesca went on to say;

“Rotaract provides countless opportunities to lead - whether through organising projects, supporting initiatives, or stepping into formal roles. I’ve found that leadership opportunities are always there; it’s really about taking initiative and deciding that challenges are opportunities rather than problems.”

Raquel shared that;

“I’ve been lucky to wear many hats over the years — leading service projects focused on sustainability and long-term impact, helping charter new clubs and regional networks, mentoring Interactors and Youth Exchange students, supporting Rotary Youth Leadership Awards participants, and creating cross-club collaborations and leadership institutes. Each experience has reminded me that leadership is about empowering others and building something that lasts beyond your time in the role.”

Trudy Muthoni, from the Rotaract Club of London, reflected;

“I’ve been a community service director which is probably one of the most difficult but yet rewarding positions in a Rotaract club, I’ve also served on the GBI board as Action Director. In both roles I’ve had to plan, organise and communicate with people which isn’t always easy. But I do the very best in all that I do to ensure that the service I provide is to the benefit of another.”

Mentorship, representation and solidarity play a significant role in inspiring other women to step forward. Often, it is the encouragement and wisdom shared between Rotaractors that gives someone the confidence to take that next step.

When I asked the Rotaractors who have contributed to this article about the best piece of advice they have given or received, they shared the following:

Don’t wait until you feel “ready.” You grow into readiness along the way. Say yes to opportunities even if they feel slightly beyond your comfort zone — growth often begins with a bit of uncertainty, and stepping forward with courage can inspire others to do the same.
The best piece of advice I've received has been from many amazing women in Rotaract and I would definitely give this to others, especially in leadership roles. This is to always advocate for myself and not let people lead me away from what I think is right. Of course, there will always be people to give advice and support you, but at the end of the day you need to believe in and trust yourself to lead within authenticity and confidence.
”You can’t be what you can’t see” it’s a mantra I live by in my professional and personal life. We’re always trying our best to be better at something but sometimes we forget that someone else has been in our shoes. Don’t try to reinvent the wheel, join Rotaract, attend Rotary meetings, go to conferences etc, basically do lots of networking. You’ll get to learn so much from the most amazing people you’d meet. That is how I develop my own mindset and skills by meeting people who are where I’d like to be and learning how they did it step by step.
Your biggest competitor is yourself. As women, we tend to compete against each other or feel intimidated by the rise of the women around us. We are all unique and wonderfully made. And because of our uniqueness, there is a specific element, attribute, spark that we individually carry. So when we focus on comparing ourselves with other women and trying to drag them down to make us rise and be exactly like them, we end up losing our essence, our individuality. The only women we should aim to be better than are the women we were yesterday.
There’s never really a problem unless you choose to see it that way. Challenges will always come up, but how you frame them determines how you move forward. Stay solution-focused, stay confident, and don’t let obstacles stop you from taking the lead.
One of the best pieces of advice I have received is to always believe in your voice and your ability to lead. My advice to other women in Rotaract would be to never hesitate to step forward. Sometimes we underestimate ourselves, but Rotaract is a space where we can grow, learn, and support each other. Take the opportunity to lead, share your ideas, and trust that your perspective matters.

The theme Give to Gain reminds us that the strength of our organisation comes from what we give to each other. When we create safe and supportive spaces where people feel confident stepping forward, the whole Rotaract community grows stronger.

My hope for the future is that even more women feel empowered to take that step, to lead a project, share their ideas, join a committee or represent Rotaract beyond their club. Leadership in Rotaract doesn’t begin with having all the answers. It begins with the willingness to step forward, support others and grow together.

International Women’s Day: Celebrating Women Shaping Rotaract

Raquel

Katie

Trudy

Heloisa

Francesca

Elise

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