On December 12, representatives from the Public Affairs Section and Economic Section of the Embassy attended the Vital Voices Poland Christmas Breakfast. The event gathered mentors, mentees, and partners who support women's empowerment, totaling around 150 attendees from business, academia, and diplomacy.
Vital Voices President Elżbieta Raczkowska welcomed guests and introduced Mrs. Jolanta Kwaśniewska, former First Lady of the Republic of Poland and Honorary Mentor of Vital Voices Poland. Kwaśniewska addressed the audience to emphasize the significance of the 100th anniversary of Polish women's suffrage and civic engagement.
Aleksandra Gren, President of Vital Voices Advisory Council, provided an update on current projects and future plans for Vital Voices. Gren recently returned from a Vital Voices Solidarity Award program in New York that honored men advocating for women and girls globally. She highlighted that discussions on combating gender-based violence should extend beyond NGOs to include business settings alongside leadership and empowerment topics.
The event featured a performance by acclaimed Polish artist Ania Rusowicz. The Embassy has supported initiatives by Vital Voices Poland since their inception and will continue its involvement in mentoring and empowering projects like the "I am a Leader" competition for young women aged 16 to 19 interested in enhancing their leadership skills. Ambassador Mosbacher is set to host the finals of this competition on January 10, 2019.