FirstPort Development Manager Monica Meister has been recognised for her inspiring work championing and empowering women through her Suffolk-based networking platform, i-woman.
FirstPort Development Manager Monica Meister has been recognised for her inspiring work championing and empowering women through her Suffolk-based networking platform, i-woman.
Last month, Monica received an award on behalf of Inspirational Indian Woman’s (IIW) She Awards at the Houses of Parliament.
The annual awards, which coincided with International Women’s Day, celebrate women who are making a meaningful impact in their respective fields. Monica first discovered IIW, a not-for-profit organisation set up to support Indian women across the globe, three years ago while facing personal challenges during her degree. Monica explained: “I wanted to find a space where I could connect with other women who could relate to what I was going through.”
Coming from an Asian background, the group allowed Monica to connect with others. She added: “IIW gave me the space to grow in confidence and help others facing similar struggles.”
When Monica first started her Mobile and Web Development degree in 2023, there were eight other women alongside her. However, by her second year, she was surprised to discover that she was the only woman left on her course. She added: “The sudden absence of my female peers left me feeling isolated and uncertain about my future in the field. But I decided to keep going.
“I chose to focus my dissertation on female empowerment, and the progress women have made within the tech industry. This is ultimately what inspired me to set up i-woman.”
Following her dissertation project, Monica was inspired to design and build the www.i-woman.co.uk platform. The site was set up as a non-profit networking platform for women. Today, it has grown to 250 members, offering free membership and regular networking events in Suffolk, currently sponsored by David Lloyd Clubs.
The IIW award felt especially meaningful to Monica, who credits this community with helping her grow in confidence and enabling her to make a positive impact on Asian women.
Monica explained: “When I was going through my own issues and challenges, having people around me that she could relate to and support me throughout my degree allowed me to have the safe space to grow in confidence.
“After seeing other women in the Asian community making meaningful contributions, it inspired me to do the same.”
Reflecting on the event, Monica described the atmosphere as warm and welcoming. “People were connecting and really taking in the moment,” she said. “Towards the end the energy picked up, which added to the charm. But the overall experience felt genuinely uplifting.”
There were also notable faces in the Indian community that were present at the event, including former Southhall MP Virendra Sharma, Mitty Tomah from The Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP), and Snigdha Misty, founder of Glowomen.
Monica brings this same passion to her role at FirstPort, encouraging residents – both men and women – to rediscover meaningful activities and experiences for them to enjoy.
Looking forward, Monica hopes to expand i-woman globally. Her vision is to offer learning opportunities for women who face personal and professional challenges, mentoring those that have been through similar situations and offering them with guidance, encouragement, and a sense of community.
