Recognizing and making visible the talent and leadership of women in Ibiza and Formentera is the aim of the project ‘Tanit Ibiza Connection’, which started two years ago by Alicia Reina (hotelier and president in the Balearic Islands of the Association of Hotel Managers of Spain) and Eva Ballarin (tourism consultant, analyst specializing in Horeca trends and lecturer). In 2022 and 2023, they awarded a total of 16 women from various fields, and now they have published a book that brings together their trajectory, which was presented yesterday at the Casal d’Igualtat de Ibiza, in an event that was attended by some of them.
Women’s leadership in Ibiza captured in 15 women’s stories / Redacción. eivissa
The women whose stories are collected in the book are Marta Torres, director of Ibiza airport; Inma López-Leyton, expert in hotel management; Tina Soriano, owner of the agrotourism Can Lluc; the jewelry designer Elisa Pomar; the deputy general manager of Palladium Gestión and director of the Executive Committee of the Abel Matutes Foundation, Carmen Matutes Prats; the Adlib designers Piluca Bayarri and Charo Ruiz; the dj Anna Tur; the director of Diario de Ibiza, Cristina Martín; the ex-manager of the Pitiusa Health Area Carmen Santos; the director of Ibicine, Helher Escribano; the president of the Fundación Conciencia, Marisina Marí; the manager of the hotel Torre del Mar, Juana María Torres Marí; Sonia Escribano, general manager of the Grupo Prensa Pitiusa, and the journalist specialized in gastronomy Silvia Castillo.
Women’s leadership in Ibiza captured in 15 women’s stories / Redacción. eivissa
The book ‘Mujeres Tanit Ibiza 2022-2023’ “celebrates and documents the resilience, talent and indomitable spirit of 15 extraordinary women of Ibiza,” explain the authors, “They are living stories of dedication and passion that have contributed significantly to the female legacy on our island.” The volume is illustrated with studio photographs by Aisha Bonet.
The two promoters of the project organized two awards galas in which they recognized “not only the talent, but the ability of these women to inspire and lead with authenticity and courage. Their stories teach us that female leadership is not only necessary but essential for progress and innovation in any society,” they say. “Each of these women has managed challenges and seized opportunities to leave an indelible mark on the community. These pages are a testament to the transformative power of female vision and determination, which continue to blaze trails for future generations,” continue the promoters of the project, which aims to “make a call to deeply value the role of women in the tourism industry and in all facets of public and private life.”
Different styles of leadership
“The book is an invitation to recognize and celebrate positive impact leadership as a fundamental pillar for the creation of a more equitable, just and, of course, happier society,” emphasize the authors of ‘Tanit Ibiza Conexión’. Reina pointed out that all the women in the work “have a totally different style of leadership, but they have several traits in common: they are united by Ibiza; tenacity, despite all the difficulties they encounter along the way; and they share values marked by justice that have been the compass that has guided them along the way. They also have in common the importance of family, which has driven them”.
Ballarin pointed out that the book has two functions: “To be a legacy and to be a reflection of contemporary Ibiza. This legacy has to be written, it can’t remain just a few photos and a souvenir of the awards gala”.
The event was attended by the Councilor for Social Welfare of Ibiza, Carolina Escandell; the mayor of Santa Eulària and godmother of the project, Carmen Ferrer, and the Councilor for Equality of Ibiza, Sara Barbado, as both the Consell and the two councils support the initiative.
Reina and Ballarin held a conversation to explain details of the project, which was later joined by Marisina Marí, as representative of the award winners, who explained the importance of the contribution of each person in a project like theirs, dedicated to helping minors who suffer physical or sexual abuse. Marí pointed out that the Tanit award was positive because it managed to give more visibility and promotion to Fundación Conciencia, which she directs. The journalist Montse Monsalve was the presenter of the event, and thanked the women who shared their stories “for opening paths and being forerunners for new generations”.
Carolina Escandell stressed the importance of the “written word, because it remains”, and recalled that throughout history “little and bad has been written about women”: “That is why I am proud to be part of this initiative that gives voice to women, and what is written, remains written”. “Stereotypes have been broken, paths have been opened, it has been taught that being different can lead differently,” said Carmen Ferrer, who added that “the book is a crucial boost for the necessary sorority for the empowerment of women and progress towards a fairer society.
Reina, Ballarin and some of the protagonists of the book will sign copies at the fair in Paseo de Vara de Rey today from 11.30 to 13.30 and from 18 to 20 hours.
On the other hand, Ballarin and Reina announced that the third edition of the ‘Tanit Ibiza Awards’ will be held on October 26 at the Centro Cultural de Jesús, official headquarters of ‘Tanit Ibiza Conexión’.