PRESS RELEASE 14 March 2011
The Women’s Business Initiative International 2011 Entrepreneurial Awards were presented on 8 March at the annual International Women’s Day Dinner Event at the Bel-Air Hotel in The Hague.
And the winners are…Godelijn Boonman of GMW Advocaten, Nicolien van Vroonhoven-Kok of De Cultuurele Zaak, and Mary Chekera of Glimlacht Mode. The Ambition Award went to Godelijn Boonman, Partner GMW Advocaten. Godelijn was honored as an outstanding role model for professional women. Mary Chekera, founder of Gllimlacht Mode, won the Social Innovation Award for establishing a fashion company with social ambition in her native country, Zimbabwe, while residing the Netherlands and working toward her Bachelor Degree at New Business School Amsterdam. Nicolien van Vroonhoven-Kok was crowned Networker of The Year.
Earlier in the evening, Nicolien van Vroonhoven inspired the crowd of 150 men and women with her own career adventures and discussed the impact of the Network Economy. Nicolien’s ongoing endeavors in business, politics, and culture while raising four small kids are awe inspiring. Of particular interest was her recent transition into entrepreneurship after 12 years in the Binnenhof, including two terms as a member of parliament.
The evening celebrated both the 100th Anniversary of International Women’s day and the 5th Anniversary of The Women’s Business Initiative International, based in The Hague. The purpose of the WBII is to stimulate the start up and growth of women-owned businesses. WBII Founder and Director of the WBII, Suzy Ogé said, “I am so pleased by the incredible turnout tonight and the amazing cross section of men and women from corporate and public sectors as well as business owners. We work hard to connect small business owners to the broader business community and to connect the international community to the local Dutch Community. This event truly represents the energy and inspiration that can be generated by bringing people together and celebrating success and opportunity.”
Corporate sponsors of the event included BHP Billiton, SES New Skies, T-Mobile, GMW Advocaten, The Body Shop, ZJHT Risk & Insurance, Blue Lynx Recruitment, THEXPAT Tv & City of The Hague.
Media links:
Video Interational Women’s Day 2011
Photography International Women’s Day 2011
