International Women’s Day Celebration 2020

Burke’s had the honor of hosting Kim Chambers at our 13th annual International Women’s Day Celebration.

Kim joins a long line of esteemed Burke’s International Women's Day guests that most recently included Mayor London Breed, Senator Kamala Harris, Audrey Cooper, Editor in Chief of the San Francisco Chronicle, and Ann Killion, a current sportswriter for the San Francisco Chronicle. Burke’s has also honored Distinguished Alumnae including Vendela Vida '85, author and co-founder of 826 Valencia, and Ebony Frelix '91, Salesforce.org EVP and Chief Philanthropy Officer. 
 
Kim Chambers is a member of the esteemed Explorers Club, a tech veteran, philanthropist, and conservationist. As a member of the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame, Kim Chambers is the only woman in the world to swim 30 miles from the Farallon Islands through the most heavily populated shark inhabited stretch of water in the world. Nominated for New Zealand's preeminent sports award, the Halberg Sportswoman of the Year in 2015, Kim has now completed open-water swims of extraordinary lengths, becoming the third woman, sixth person, and first New Zealander to ever finish the Oceans Seven, seven challenging and risky swims around the world.
 
As a special treat, she visited classrooms to answer student questions such as, “Have you ever seen a shark up close?” (she hasn’t), “When did you start open water swimming?”(the age of 33), and “Have you seen a jellyfish?” (she has seen many, it’s quite a story)!  At the all-school assembly, Kim talked to the students about the importance of overcoming fears and facing up to big challenges. “If you are not fearful, you are not pushing the limits of what you can do. If you are not afraid, then you are the status quo. And if you are the status quo, you are not breaking boundaries. If you are not breaking boundaries then you are not living your full potential as a young student and future graduate of Burke’s. Those boundaries are there for a reason. They separate you from everyone else.”

It was a wonderful morning celebrating Burke’s mission to educate, encourage and empower girls. We believe the future is female and Burke’s is honored to be working to create the female visionaries and leaders of tomorrow. Click here to view her inspiring speech or view some photos from the day!
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