Women are well on their way to disrupt this world back into shape: Lynn De Souza

The first ever Women Disruptors Summit by Adgully, held in Mumbai yesterday (March 6, 2020), had a grand reception from the industry. Topping the day dedicated to women super-achievers was the revelation of the first ever Women Disruptors Awards winners in the evening. 

Our esteemed jury was unanimous in their choice for the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award. Veteran advertising leader and Founder of Social Access Communications, Lynn De Souza, was conferred with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award for her outstanding and tireless efforts to propel forward the Indian Advertising & Media industry in various ways for the past 3 decades. 

One of the most influential women leaders in the country, the industry applauded De Souza for her outstanding vision, flair, acumen, professionalism and humanitarian efforts. 

Though De Souza was unable to receive the award in person, she shared a profound note with those present at the ceremony. We reproduce text below: 

“Lifetime. Achievement. Award. I thank Adgully for considering me worthy of one. 

Three words. 

Lifetime. When one spends three decades in a profession, it seems like a lifetime. But it isn’t – it’s just a millisecond in time of all that we are capable of doing. Life is so much more than a lifetime. 

Achievement. To all those who gave me the opportunity to contribute, to disrupt, to change the rules of the game, to question, challenge, fight the status quo, thank you. The achievements, if any, in my career are actually all yours. 

Award. I believe that the only kind of awards that matter are those that are given, not those that are received. I am happy that my old and dear friend Vai can receive this one on my behalf. In truth, every one of the hundreds of men and women who worked by my side could stand up and take this award, because it is actually his or hers. 

Disruption is the most important thing we can do with our lives. Women are natural disruptors, they change their very bodies to bring forth a life. From #MeToo to Greta, watch out. Women are well on their way to disrupt this world back into shape. And I want to tell every woman present here – there may be a “lifetime” of “achievement” behind me, but my best is yet to come, and so is yours. 

There are no awards for being the best that you can be every day of your life, and helping others be the best that they can be, even if it’s unpopular or unfashionable, because remember this, however much you do, your best is yet to come.”