On March 8, 2025, we hosted a memorable WordPress Women’s Day event that brought together passionate individuals eager to learn, connect, and celebrate women in tech. With 36 attendees out of 50 registrations, the gathering served as a testament to our shared commitment to uplifting women in WordPress and beyond.
Why This Event Mattered
Our primary goal was clear: empower more women to participate actively in the WordPress community, events and other industry conferences. Through thought-provoking talks and interactive sessions, we aimed to:
- Encourage public speaking
- Expand the WordPress community
- Foster networking
- Have fun while learning
The enthusiasm in the room was unmistakable. Many attendees, especially those joining us for the first time, left feeling welcomed, inspired, and more confident about pursuing opportunities in the tech community.
Setting the Stage
The day kicked off with an opening note by Puja, setting a warm, inclusive tone right from the start. Attendees quickly connected over their shared interest in WordPress, tech innovation, and personal growth.
Inspiring Speaker Sessions
We lined up six engaging sessions, each highlighting unique perspectives on career development, community growth, and innovation within the WordPress ecosystem:
- Neha Pandurang Raskar:
Overcoming the Fear of Public Speaking: My Journey from Silence to Confidence
Neha shared her personal struggles with public speaking and how she conquered stage fright, showing others that confidence can be cultivated with practice and perseverance.
- Shweta Ghate:
From Idea to Launch: The Website Development Process
Shweta walked through the end-to-end process of building a website, touching on everything from planning to deployment, encouraging newcomers to embrace learning at every stage.
- Rishika Singh:
Importance of Design in Plugin Development
Rishika underscored how thoughtful, user-centric design principles boost plugin usability and popularity.
- Vipika Kotangale:
Women-Led Marketing Success
Vipika spotlighted real-world case studies of effective marketing strategies helmed by women, proving that leadership and creativity go hand in hand.
- Shruti Sona:
Community over Competition: How to Grow By Helping Others
Shruti offered advice on using collaboration as a springboard for growth, highlighting how shared successes benefit individuals and the broader community alike.
- Sangeeta Sinha:
Growing Women in AI and DevOps Field
Sangeeta emphasized the rising opportunities in AI and DevOps, inspiring women to break barriers and explore these innovative fields.
Panel Discussion: Women in Leadership Roles
A major highlight of the day was the panel discussion moderated by Elvina featuring leaders from various industries:
- Dr. Sonali Reddy
- Krupa Nanda
- Snehal Kulkarni
- Swati Gupta
- Prajakta Ingale
- Aditi Patil
These accomplished professionals shared insights into their career journeys, the obstacles they faced, and the lessons learned along the way. Their stories were a powerful reminder that with determination, mentorship, and community support, women can excel in leadership positions across industries.
Key Highlights and Impact
- New Speakers, New Voices: Two attendees took the stage for the first time, demonstrating the event’s success in encouraging new speakers to step forward.
- Knowledge Exchange and Networking: Attendees engaged in meaningful conversations, exchanged industry insights, and asked in-depth questions, helping to forge connections that will last beyond the event.
- Welcoming Environment: Many first-timers praised the friendly atmosphere, noting how the community made them feel at ease and excited about future participation.
Closing Remarks and Celebration
The event concluded with closing remarks by Puja and Krupa, who shed light on various ways to contribute to WordPress—highlighting that there’s room for everyone to get involved, regardless of skill level. To cap off the successful day, we celebrated with a cake cutting session, symbolizing not just the end of an event but the beginning of ongoing friendships, collaborations, and new opportunities in the WordPress community.
Looking Ahead
Women’s WordCamp Pune Celebration was more than just a gathering; it was a call to action for every attendee to keep learning, sharing, and pushing boundaries. Our hope is that this event will inspire even more women to step into the spotlight—whether by organizing sessions, speaking at conferences, or leading teams in the tech industry. Together, we’re building a stronger, more inclusive WordPress ecosystem and paving the way for future generations of innovators.
Thank you to everyone who participated, spoke, volunteered, and supported this event. Your energy, passion, and dedication made this day truly unforgettable. We can’t wait to see what you’ll achieve next!
