EmpowerHer - A Celebration of Vision, Voice, and Victory
- African Cultural Foundation
- Mar 8
- 3 min read
What an unforgettable two days! EmpowerHer 2025, hosted by the African Cultural Foundation, Seti Crew, and Diaspora Creatives, brought together trailblazers, creatives, and Changemakers under one powerful mission: to uplift and empower women across cultures, industries, and communities.
Held in honor of International Women’s Day 2025, the event stood as a vibrant celebration of female leadership, resilience, and creativity—particularly highlighting the stories and achievements of women from Africa and the African diaspora.
An Evening of Insight and Inspiration
We were honored by the presence of remarkable leaders and dignitaries, whose contributions added depth and vision to the gathering:
H.E. Mrs. Maïmounata Ouattara, Ambassador of Burkina Faso
Fatou Haidara, Deputy to the Director General and Managing Director, Directorate of Global Partnerships and External Relations
Ceri Samvilian, Activist and Advocate for Intersectional Feminism
Eva-Maria Burger, Lead for Women Empowerment, Austrian Economic Chamber of Labor
Harriet Hala, Director of FABLSTYLE Magazine
Their presence and powerful reflections emphasized the importance of collaboration, cross-cultural dialogue, and the shared mission of global gender equity. From policy to media, business to community leadership, these voices illuminated the transformative potential of empowered women leading together.
Their presence and powerful reflections emphasized the importance of collaboration, cross-cultural dialogue, and the shared mission of global gender equity. From policy to media, business to community leadership, these voices illuminated the transformative potential of empowered women leading together.
Honoring Outstanding Women: The EmpowerHer 2025 Awards
This year’s EmpowerHer Awards celebrated women who are breaking boundaries and creating tangible impact in their fields. Congratulations to our outstanding winners:
🏆 Social Impact Award – Noomi Anyanwu, founder of Black Voices, whose relentless advocacy continues to challenge systemic injustice and amplify Black perspectives in Austria.
🎨 Creative Excellence Award – Louise Deininger, an internationally recognized artist and curator, whose work explores identity, heritage, and the female narrative through bold, boundary-pushing art.
💼 Entrepreneurship Award – Denise Van der Cruz, a powerhouse businesswoman building bridges between communities through culturally inclusive ventures, proving that entrepreneurship can be a catalyst for connection and empowerment.
More Than an Event – A Movement
From heartfelt conversations to powerful performances, EmpowerHer 2025 was more than a celebration—it was a call to action. It brought attention to the unique challenges women continue to face globally, such as underrepresentation in leadership, limited access to resources, and systemic barriers—while also honoring the incredible strides women have made across sectors.
Especially in a multicultural hub like Vienna, where women from diverse backgrounds contribute to society through entrepreneurship, the arts, academia, and activism, events like EmpowerHer serve as vital platforms to amplify voices and foster connection. Women from the African diaspora, in particular, navigate intersecting challenges and still rise as innovators, leaders, and cultural beacons.
We are deeply grateful to our sponsors, Ho&Co and Ochei Restaurant, for their generous support, and to everyone who joined us in making these days so meaningful.
Looking Ahead
EmpowerHer 2025 reaffirmed what we already know: when women come together, everything is possible. Here's to continued growth, cross-cultural collaboration, and lifting each other higher.
Let’s keep this energy alive. Let’s keep empowering.
#EmpowerHer2025 #WomenInLeadership #AfricanCulturalFoundation #SetiWomen #DiasporaCreatives #WomenEmpowerment #CommunityImpact #InternationalWomensDay
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