The Dreamer Day gala was one of many events meant to celebrate International Day of the Girl Child.

Build a Dream, a national non-profit organization hosted the event at Palais Royale, which was decorated in purple and pink – the traditional colours associated with femininity and the colour scheme of Build a Dream.

Guests could write advice they would give to their younger selves at a table with many saying they wished to be braver, to dream big, and to believe in themselves more.

Nour Hachem-Fawaz, president and founder of Build a Dream, gave opening remarks to the gathering. She chose to discard her speech cards and instead speak from her heart, as she stated.

Her opening address included her own journey into womanhood and the work she has done on building the organization. Hachem-Fawaz believes in diversifying the workforce and allowing girls and women everywhere to pursue the career of their choice.

Hachem-Fawaz has 13 years of experience as a workforce advisor, mentor, and influencer. She has worked at many organizations that specialized in helping women find jobs.

Another speaker, Rola Dagher, the global channel chief of Dell Technologies spoke of the struggles she faced as a Lebanese woman who immigrated to Canada.

“Every person that has doubted me, has been proven wrong,” she said.

Dagher introduced the guests with her life philosophy: “learn it, earn it, and return it.” She believes people can achieve greatness by working together and supporting each other.

Speakers Julie Cafley, Michele Harradence, and Tanya Mushynski spoke about the importance of providing a diverse and inclusive work environment, and the engagement and involvement of the top management of companies.

The Dreamer Day gala also featured an awards ceremony to commemorate people who do work on achieving diversity and equity in workplaces.

The nominees received the Male ally award, Trailblazer award, Dream Builder Woman award, Community Builder for Profit award, and Community Builder Not-for-Profit award.

Sarain Fox, a filmmaker and Anishinaabe activist, introduced herself in her native language during the closing address and said, “Indigenous women are the most vulnerable in this country. Don’t just be inclusive. Be revolutionary!”

The Dreamer Day gala provided a perspective on the career struggles that women face. All speakers at the gala echoed one point: they wish to work together with all women of all ages to achieve a diverse, inclusive, and equitable work environment.

Dreamer Day events ran Oct. 4 and 5 in Toronto.