Reykjavík Global Forum for Women Leaders

“No one gives you power. You have to take it.”
Halla Tomasdottir, President of Iceland

🇮🇸✨ I visited Iceland to attend the Reykjavík Global Forum for Women Leaders at the urging of Christy Tanner (thank you, Christy!). Iceland’s reputation as the most gender-equal and peaceful country in the world is rooted in bold actions like the 1975 Women’s Strike. On October 24, 1975, 90% of Icelandic women went on strike, refusing to work, cook, or care for children to protest wage inequality and gender discrimination. The strike brought the country to a halt—banks, schools, factories and flights stopped. Meanwhile, 25,000 women (almost a quarter of Iceland’s entire population at the time) gathered in Reykjavik’s main square for a rally.

Forum Highlights:

👩‍⚖️ Meeting Iceland’s President, Halla Tómasdóttir
Halla reminded us of the enduring legacy of 1975 and how collective action changed Iceland forever. Just five years after the strike, Iceland elected Vigdís Finnbogadóttir as the world’s first female president. Halla herself is an example of bold leadership, rising from just 2% in the polls in a crowded field of 12 candidates to win Iceland’s presidency in 2024. Today, women hold 50% of parliamentary seats.

💼 Moderating the Panel: Finance: Money, Power, and Women with Laurinda Rainey, S. Mona Sinha, Iða Brá Benediktsdóttir

From Iceland – a few things to note

• 💡 Structural change matters: Iceland mandates gender-equal corporate boards for companies with more than 50 employees.
• 📈 The top 10 pension funds in Iceland now have 50% female investment managers—up from just 30% a decade ago.
• 💰 Wealth = Power. Despite Iceland’s leadership in equality, women still hold only 35% of the country’s wealth. The disparity starts early—even girls under the age of two have fewer assets than boys.

🏔️ Moments of Reflection

Laughed through a howling gale at the Sky Lagoon with Tia Viering, Beth Reilly, Beth-Ann Eason, and Andrea Wilson.

Caught up with Birna Thorarinsdottir ahead of her UNICEF telethon to raise money for Palestinian children— equality and advocacy don’t stop at borders.

Leaving this beautiful country, I reflect on the forum’s opening words from Mary Robinson, Former President of Ireland, who joined Halla to kick off the event:
“You are never too young to lead, you are never too old to learn.”