CELEBRATING WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH: LEJLA OMERINOVIC AND ALICE CHRISTENSEN
#GSAHerstory: Honoring stories of Women’s strenght, legacy and Inspiration
March is Women’s History Month – a time to celebrate the achievements and lasting impact of the incredible women who shape our lives. At GSA, we embrace that behind every innovator, leader, and changemaker, there’s a remarkable woman whose wisdom and strength helped pave the way.
This month, we’ve had the honor to highlight some powerful women in the GSA network. Their stories of strength, resilience and determination have shaped them into the personas that they are today, and we’re eager to learn more about the women that have influenced their journeys.
Their Strength, My Foundation: A Legacy Built on Love, Sacrifice and Resilience
‘‘Women’s History Month often celebrates the trailblazers but some of the most powerful pioneers never make headlines. My mother and grandmother are two of them.
In the 90s, they arrived in Denmark carrying more memories than belongings. My mother, a woman with a degree and dreams, found her qualifications suddenly meant nothing. So she adapted. She took any job that could support us, not once asking if it was beneath her, only if it was enough. Her strength was quiet but relentless, rooted in love and survival.
My grandmother was the steady force behind it all. She raised me and my siblings, not because she had to, but because she understood that rebuilding takes a village. She never claimed recognition, but if resilience were a job, she’d have invented it.
They are the kind of women who start over without a roadmap and build something better, not just for themselves, but for those who come after. That spirit lives in me. Because of them, I know that no title matters more than the impact you leave behind.
This month, I honour them and all the women who make the impossible possible in their own ways.”
— LEJLA OMERINOVIC, MARKETING DIRECTOR, GLOBAL STARTUP AWARDS
A Friend Who Inspires: Dreaming Big and Making It Happen
‘‘My friend Andrea Lundh is an incredibly inspiring young woman. When we first met working together at Lisa Elmqvist, I already knew she was full of ambition, she knew what she wanted - to make a real difference in the world - and she wasted no time turning that vision into reality.
She didn’t wait for the perfect opportunity she created it. In just a few years, she went from studying agronomy at university to founding and leading a non-profit initiative focused on addressing some of the biggest challenges in African agriculture and food systems. Her work has had a significant impact on food security and sustainability, and her determination is unmatched.
But what truly makes Andrea remarkable isn’t just her success it’s the way she carries others with her. She is a leader, a mentor and a friend who uplifts and inspires everyone around her. Even when I doubt myself, she is always there, hyping me up and reminding me of my potential and my unique strengths. She has shown me that passion and action go hand in hand, and that no dream is too big if you’re willing to fight for it. She is proof that with kindness, courage and conviction, you can shape the world around you. Knowing her has been an inspiration, and I am endlessly proud to call her my friend.”
— Alice CHRISTENSEN, MARKETING COORDINATOR, GLOBAL STARTUP AWARDS
”Don’t ever underestimate the importance you can have, because history has shown us that courage can be contagious, and hope can take on a life of its own”- Michelle Obama
As we close out Women’s History Month, we invite you to reflect on the remarkable women who’ve inspired you – whether in your personal life, career or beyond. Who are the women whose strength and wisdom have left a lasting impact on your journey?
Share your stories with us using #GSAHerStory and let’s continue celebrating the women who’ve empowered and encouraged us to become who we are today.
If you know an inspiring female entrepreneur in the startup ecosystem, don’t forget to nominate them for the Regional Competition of the Global Startup Awards – public nominations are still open! 🚀