A Gift of Empowerment: How a WIT Leader, a Mother, and Her Daughter Found Inspiration Together at the 2024 WIT Awards

At the Women in Technology (WIT) 2024 Awards, a powerful story emerged—one that captured the heart of our community and highlighted the incredible impact of this special evening. Our staff received a heartfelt email from Ansley Wood, the mother of a young girl named Eliza, sharing how this event became a transformative experience for them both. Through the generosity of a WIT board member who provided an extra ticket, Ansley and Eliza attended the awards and left with strengthened resilience and self-confidence.

Earlier in the day, Eliza had faced a challenging morning, feeling the sting of unkind words from peers. As her mother, Ansley felt the urge to shield her daughter, but she also knew this was an opportunity for Eliza to grow. She dropped Eliza off at school with encouragement, hoping that the day might take a positive turn. Little did she know how deeply WIT Awards would resonate with her daughter that evening.

When a WIT supporter and Board Member reached out to Ansley about an extra ticket, Ansley saw it as the perfect chance for Eliza to experience WIT’s empowering environment firsthand. Surrounded by strong, inspiring women, Eliza listened to stories of courage, innovation, and determination. The evening’s speakers shared how they overcame obstacles and found strength within themselves—a message that felt especially timely for Eliza.

As they left the awards, Ansley asked her daughter what the evening’s stories meant to her. Eliza’s response was immediate and uplifting: “Mom, I can do anything. It doesn’t matter what those boys are saying to me—they’re wrong!” In that moment, Eliza found the confidence to embrace her unique qualities, dismissing negativity and embracing her own potential.

This experience was more than just an event; it was a turning point in Eliza’s journey toward self-belief. For Ansley, witnessing her daughter’s renewed confidence filled her with gratitude for the WIT community.

Stories like Eliza’s remind us why WIT’s mission is so important. By providing spaces where young girls can see themselves reflected in powerful narratives and learn from women leading in STEAM fields, we are helping to shape a future where no girl feels limited by the opinions of others.

To all who support WIT, thank you for your role in these transformative moments. Your contributions inspire the next generation of women to believe in themselves and pursue their dreams, no matter the challenges they face. Together, we are helping young girls like Eliza see the strength that lies within them.