About 70 pupils from Dunedin high schools attended the Dunedin branch of the National Council of Women breakfast.
The pupils heard of pivotal moments in the careers of women including Dunedin city councillor Jinty MacTavish and Configure Gym owner and director Tania Grave.
Breakfast organiser and Dunedin branch member Elisabeth Cunningham said the purpose of the breakfast was to expose the young women to professional women who had achieved in their chosen fields.
''We really wanted local women who have done well, especially from our community, to inspire the girls to think anything is possible.''
All speakers encouraged the pupils to ''reach out'' to women they admired and study subjects they had a passion for, she said.
''It was also about encouraging girls that the career path they take when leaving school is
not necessarily the career path that will be with them for all of their working life.''
The breakfast would ''definitely'' be held again next year.
''There are so many really inspiring women in Otago who have knowledge and lessons to share.''
