LEADERSHIP, intelligence, ambition — women are expected to have all these qualities, but on someone else’s terms. At JPS’ International Women’s Day 2025 event, trailblazing women challenged these unwritten rules, declaring that women should no longer wait for permission to lead.

Hosted at the Spanish Court Hotel on March 8, under the theme “Accelerate Action: Do It Already!”, the discussions sparked an urgent conversation about stepping out of restrictive boxes and embracing leadership unapologetically.

Featuring a panel of speakers including Lisa Hanna, Member of Parliament for St Ann South East and former Minister of Youth and Culture; Rochelle Cameron, CEO of Prescient Consulting Services and attorney-at-law; Dr Patricia Smith, healthcare businesswoman, advocate and author; and Mariame Robinson, global financial services leader, the event was designed to inspire women to take bold steps in their personal and professional lives.

Setting the tone for the day, Winsome Callum, JPS’ director of corporate communications, reminded women that action, not perfection, creates change. She urged women to stop waiting for the ‘right’ moment, validation, or certainty, reinforcing that progress comes from movement, not hesitation. Callum asserted that overthinking holds women back and that the time to take decisive action is now.

If women are to lead without seeking permission, then their mindset must shift first. Robinson, drove home this point, highlighting how self-doubt and limiting beliefs often hold women back.

“I have seen time and time again that men don’t hesitate to take risks,” Robinson explained. “They raise their hands for promotions before they feel fully ready. But too often, we as women feel like we need more training, more preparation, or more experience before we step forward. That has to change.”

But hesitation does not come from nowhere, it is rooted in a society that constantly polices how women should lead. Hanna addressed this reality head-on, rejecting the idea that leadership must fit into a predetermined mould. “Women are constantly put in boxes. We are told how to dress, how to behave, and how to lead,” Hanna stated. “But true power comes from embracing every part of yourself, your intellect, your ambition, your sensuality, your resilience. Own it all, and don’t apologise for it.”

While ambition fuels forward movement, resilience ensures that women keep going even in the face of adversity. Dr Smith introduced the audience to the Finnish concept of “Sisu”, a term for extraordinary perseverance, courage, and grit. Drawing from her own life experiences, she shared her journey from childhood homelessness to professional success, illustrating the power of inner strength. She reminded attendees that every woman possesses a deep reservoir of resilience, often untapped, and encouraged them to push beyond their perceived limits, knowing they have more strength within them than they may realise.

However, leading without permission does not mean burning out in the process. Cameron brought the day’s discussion full circle by reminding women that rest is just as important as action. She challenged the glorification of hustle culture, where constant movement is mistaken for progress, and stressed that even the strongest engines require rest to function at their best.

She drove home her point that without moments to pause and recharge, both the body and mind will eventually shut down, reinforcing that true acceleration includes self-care and sustainability.