Diversity is a big part of the annual TEDxTinHauWomen talks. The December 6 event is no exception, covering topics from life on Mars to ageing. And while the speakers’ backgrounds and stories differ, they all fit the “Bold & Brilliant” theme. “These women are so dynamic and bold in their fields,” says the event’s co-chair Jennifer Flowers, settling into her seat at a Wan Chai coffee shop. “Guests will be drawn to them and blown away by them – it will be powerful.” Flowers is a veteran of TEDx (“technology, entertainment, design”), a non-profit organisation built on sharing ideas through conferences and talks. A decade ago, she was involved in the launch of TEDxShanghaiWomen before bringing a similar event to Hong Kong, where it is now in its third year. “We found women wanted a positive community to share stories about how they are making a difference in this city. This event does just that […] it bridges the gap between women from all walks of life, no matter what demographic, ethnicity or age,” says the mother of two, adding that this year’s speakers range in age from 25 (poet Jesamine Dyus) to 73 (sexuality activist Brenda Scofield). The name, “TinHauWomen”, pays homage to the Chinese goddess of the seaand is a nod to the city’s rich maritime history. “This year we had 70 applications for just seven spots,” says Flowers. The selection criteria was simple: impact the room but no self-promotion. “We wanted to know what a candidate’s big idea was, to feature speakers who will change the way people see or do things, to make others see the world differently,” she says. The chosen few include Angélica Anglés, a planetary scientist and astrophysicist whose research focuses on the search for extraterrestrial life on Mars; artist Chi Chi Cheng, who experiments with unconventional mediums such as food; Jesamine Dyus, who specialises in slam poetry; and Gigi Chao , who was thrust into the spotlight in 2012 when her billionaire playboy father, Cecil Chao Sze-tsung, offered a HK$500 million “dowry” to any man who could walk her down the aisle. Fellow event co-chair Daniella Lopez says as well as providing vital exposure on the TEDx platform, speakers also receive professional coaching and photography as well as a stylist and hair and make-up artist. The December 6 event coincides with a global TEDWomen conference in Palm Springs, California, in the United States. TEDxTinHauWomen “Bold & Brilliant – Without Apologies” will be held on Friday, from 1pm to 7pm, including two networking sessions, at Sky100, International Commerce Centre, 1 Austin Road West, Kowloon. For tickets, visit pelago.events.