As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we reflect on an extraordinary evening with Britain’s youngest woman to climb Mount Everest and reach the North Pole.
Last Tuesday, 4th March, Square Gardens hosted record-breaking mountaineer Bonita Norris for the highly anticipated launch of our ‘Elevate Series.’ Held in our state-of-the-art social space in Manchester’s First Street, the event brought together residents and community members for an inspiring session on resilience, self-belief, and breaking barriers.
A journey against all odds
Bonita’s journey is a testament to courage and determination. At just 20 years old, with no prior climbing experience and no connections in a male-dominated sport, she set her sights on Everest. Many told her it simply wasn’t possible.
Drawing inspiration from Tori James, the first Welsh woman and youngest British woman to summit Everest at that time, Bonita embarked on her ambitious journey. Her path was fraught with rejection- hundreds of daily calls seeking sponsorship were met with “no” time and again.
Her persistence finally paid off, she secured £50,000 in sponsorship, a decision that ultimately generated £1.2 million in advertising returns for the company that backed her.
By age 22, Bonita had conquered Everest, becoming Britain’s youngest woman to reach the summit.
Beyond social media’s façade
Even after standing atop the highest peak on Earth, Bonita found herself reflecting on a modern challenge – how social media shapes our experience of achievement. She shared a striking anecdote about a fellow climber’s confession: “He didn’t feel the dopamine boost or excitement of climbing Everest until he returned to camp and posted on Instagram. He couldn’t simply enjoy the monumental moment he was living.”
This anecdote resonated deeply with attendees, highlighting the importance of being present and finding intrinsic value in our accomplishments rather than external validation.
Encouragement: the ultimate summit
Perhaps the most powerful aspect of Bonita’s talk was her emphasis on legacy and inspiring others. When she was facing rejection during her Everest preparations, she reached out to her role model, Tori James, via Facebook. Though a stranger, Tori took the time to meet Bonita and offer support – an act of kindness that proved transformative.
“She told a girl she didn’t even know that she could do it,” Bonita reflected. “That simple act of belief changed everything for me.”
Bonita has carried that philosophy forward. Rather than resting on her achievements, she remains committed to inspiring others while setting new challenges for herself. She has since conquered three of the world’s 8,000m peaks and reached the North Pole, all while championing the power of perseverance.
Elevating Minds, Breaking Barriers
The evening with Bonita Norris marked the beginning of Square Gardens’ Elevate Series, which will feature bi-monthly talks from exceptional individuals who have broken barriers and achieved extraordinary goals whilst establishing Square Gardens as a hub for personal and professional growth in Manchester.
“You thrive when you do what you’re passionate about,” she told attendees. “And part of that thriving comes from lifting others up alongside you.”
