It was the leadership of Mme Charlotte Mannya-Maxeke that eventually led the ANC to include women in its leadership. We gather here for an occasion that speaks to legacy, leadership and the enduring power of human expression. The 1956 Women’s March would not have been possible, if Charlotte Mannya-Maxeke had not led the mobilisation and organisation of women to fight for their rights. Especially the Charlotte Mannya-Maxeke Institute (CMMI) for initiating this epoch-making project and surely through their efforts, the legacies and stories of women will never be the same again. May “Portraits of Power” inspire reflection, spark meaningful dialogue, and remind us all of the extraordinary impact of women in shaping our world.