January 22, 2026
The first FemmesForce meeting of 2026 opened the year with inspiration and personal development. The theme, “Turning obstacles into opportunities,” explored how challenges—big or small—can become powerful drivers of professional and personal growth.
The session began with two inspiring profiles:
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Sophie Adenot, ESA astronaut, who is preparing for an exceptional nine‑month mission aboard the ISS—a first for a European woman. Her journey highlights perseverance, excellence, and the ability to push boundaries.
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Emily Warren Roebling, the often‑overlooked figure behind the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge, who took charge of an extremely complex project by teaching herself engineering and stepping into a visionary leadership role.
These stories introduced the central message: obstacles are not just barriers—they can spark creativity, learning, and transformation.
The discussion highlighted the importance of a growth mindset: seeing skills as developable, embracing challenges as learning opportunities, and valuing progress over perfection.
The presentation also offered practical tools to turn difficulties into stepping stones, such as SWOT analysis, feedback loops, and peer support. Well‑known examples—Airbnb, Netflix, Apple, and SpaceX—showed how critical situations can lead to major innovations.
The meeting concluded with a strong message: dare. Dare to ask, to learn, to try, to make mistakes, to start again, and to move forward.
FemmesForce is starting the year with a renewed focus on development, resilience, and collective empowerment.
In the coming months, the group will explore key topics such as influence without authority, assertive communication, prioritization, and building self‑confidence under pressure.