Embracing the Spirit of the Paralympics and Women Entrepreneurs

I am thrilled to share some exciting news: I have been selected as a volunteer to be in the Parade of Paris Paralympics 2024! So perfect for me with a world organisation WWIRE World Women Impacting Real Estate

This is a dream come true for me, as I have always been passionate about the Paralympics and deeply inspired by the incredible athletes who compete in these games.

This year is particularly monumental, not just for me, but for the entire world. For the first time in history, the Paralympics will be fully televised in France. This is a historic milestone that provides an incredible opportunity for the courage and perseverance of Paralympians to be celebrated by a wider audience. It's about breaking down barriers and challenging perceptions of what athletes with disabilities can achieve.

Who is the most famous Paralympian? A woman of course!

Swimmer Trischa Zorn-Hudson is the most successful athlete in the history of the Paralympic Games, having won 55 medals, including 41 gold medals, over seven Paralympics. Zorn, who was born with a genetic eye condition that left her blind, first competed in the Paralympics at Arnhem 1980.

Throughout my life, I've been inspired by the extraordinary stories of courage and determination that these athletes embody. Yet, I've often felt frustrated that they didn't receive the same exposure on television as the Olympic Games which is the same for women entrepreneurs.

According to?a new study, (Harvard Business?Review) While venture capitalists invested more than $58 billion in startups last year, women only got 2 percent of that money.

These Paralympian's are also sponsored less than 2% and have to buy their own prostheses.

The lack of media attention has been a significant gap, especially given the dedication and spirit shown by Paralympic athletes, which is just as commendable as their Olympic counterparts.

Now, with full television coverage, these athletes will finally receive the recognition they deserve, and their stories will inspire millions more around the world and WWIRE is doing this to showcase women leaders in real estate.

Reflecting on the Paralympics, I see a parallel with women entrepreneurs. Like Paralympians, women entrepreneurs face unique challenges and must navigate obstacles with grit and resilience. They balance multiple roles, manage family responsibilities, and navigate a traditionally male-dominated field, all of which require immense mental fortitude and determination.

It's inspiring to see how these two worlds—sports and entrepreneurship—reflect the same perseverance, courage, and tenacity needed to succeed.

I was recently reminded by our advisory board member Chhaya Mathur Saint Ramon of WWIRE World Women in Real Estate , that women entrepreneurs are like Paralympians.

Indeed, entrepreneurship can be a challenging journey filled with obstacles, much like the path of a Paralympian. It requires balancing multiple roles, maintaining resilience in the face of setbacks, and breaking through societal expectations—all while striving for excellence.

The challenges faced by women in achieving positions like CEO are real, but times are changing. More and more women are rising to the occasion and breaking through the glass ceiling.We are witnessing a new era where greater opportunities and visibility are being afforded to both women and Paralympians.

This shift towards inclusivity and recognition of diverse talents and achievements is a powerful reminder of how far we’ve come and how much further we have to go.

For me, being a volunteer at such a historic event is not just about being part of the Paralympics. It’s about being part of a broader movement towards equality, representation, and respect for all individuals, regardless of their backgrounds or abilities. It’s a celebration of human spirit and tenacity, qualities that are evident in both Paralympians and entrepreneurial women like many of us.

I am so grateful for this opportunity to support and be inspired by these incredible athletes and to be a part of this transformative movement and at the same time I see this in WWIRE WORLD WOMEN IMPACTING REAL ESTATE

I look forward to every moment of my experience at the Paris Paralympics 2024—it will undoubtedly be a time to remember!

Thank you to everyone who has supported me and WWIRE on this journey over 10 years.

Your encouragement and belief in the spirit of the Paralympics and the strength of women entrepreneurs mean the world to me.

Let’s continue to celebrate courage, determination, and the unbreakable human spirit!

Kindness, Peace and Sisterhood

Janicka Bassis

Founder WWIRE World Women in Real Estate

Linkedin Group

CEO & Founder W.W.I.R.E

World Women Impacting Real Estate

Special thanks to my mentors

Dr Cristina LUNGHI who has put in place ARBORUS and the label GEIS Gender Equality International standard

Desiree Patno founder of NAWRB Diversity & Inclusion Leadership Council (NDILC)

?Anne Ravanona founder of Global Invest Her

Poonam Barua founder of Forum for Women in Leadership - WILL Forum India

Ayumi Moore Aoki founder of WOMEN IN TECH ? Global

Catherine Guyot founder of LA FEMME ARCHITECTE

Kristin Engvig founder of WIN Women

Ingrid Vanderveldt founder of EBW Empowering a Billion Women

Mirela Sula founder of Global Woman Club Amsterdam

Dr Sylvia Forchap Likambi founder of Global Visionary Women Network

Emmanuelle Gagliardi founder of Connecting Women and #PPV

and most importantly Tony Estanguet Paris 2024 - Comité d'organisation des Jeux Olympiques et Paralympiques de 2024

and so many other great women and men around the world breaking the Glass Ceiling

and to all the young girls please GO FOR YOUR DREAMS! IMAGINE