The Smile Foundation celebrated the resilience, compassion, and leadership of women during its annual Women’s Day breakfast at Inanda Club on August 8, bringing together supporters, healthcare professionals, and community partners for a morning of inspiration and reflection.

Held under the theme: Rooted in strength, the event recognised the remarkable role women play in supporting families, communities, and children receiving life-changing reconstructive surgery through the foundation.

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Welcoming guests, Smile Foundation CEO Tarri Parfitt reminded attendees that strength is often found in connection, rather than independence. “I don’t think pretending you are okay when you are not is strength. I don’t think it’s doing everything yourself. I certainly don’t think it’s being a martyr.”

Reflecting on the mothers whose children undergo reconstructive surgery, she said many display extraordinary courage while navigating difficult medical journeys.

“Behind every surgery is a mother. I often wonder where that courage comes from. What I’ve seen time and time again is that it comes from other women.” She added that the Smile Foundation’s work extends far beyond surgery by providing emotional support, counselling, and communities where parents can encourage one another.

Guests were introduced to the Socks for Smiles campaign by marketing assistant Elle Velalis and MC Khotso Rammopo, who encouraged South Africans to proudly wear mismatched socks on October 16 as a symbol of inclusion and acceptance.

“Our differences are not something to hide. They are part of what makes every person unique, valuable, and worthy of love and acceptance,” they said.

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The breakfast also featured an engaging presentation by artificial intelligence educator Paula Jones, who encouraged women to embrace artificial intelligence as a tool that can improve productivity rather than replace people.

“Start with the things that you really don’t enjoy doing. Start with the things that take you hours every week and hand those tasks over to AI.”

She urged women to focus less on choosing the latest technology and more on identifying problems technology can solve.
Psychiatrist Dr Skye Scott explored the science of happiness, explaining how the brain’s natural negativity bias can affect emotional wellbeing. She encouraged attendees to become intentional about where they invest their attention and energy.

“The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.”

Scott concluded with a Cherokee proverb about two wolves representing positive and negative thoughts, reminding guests that the one that grows is the one that you feed.

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