- In the life of each of us, there comes a moment when we have to decide whether to live as others expect, or as courage, intuition, and values tell me. And it is about this courage that I would like to speak today. About courage that is not always loud. About courage that often doesn't make the front pages. But it is this courage that builds our lives - stated Marta Nawrocka during her opening speech at the "Polish Woman of the 21st Century" conference.

"Only when a person has values, do they know who they are"

- Today's world often tells us a lot about freedom, but less about where this freedom comes from. It means having values. And courage. Only when a person has values, do they know who they are. And when they have courage, they can remain faithful to those values. And only then does true freedom emerge. Freedom that is not a fashion trend - she continued.

"For me, courage has always been something very personal"

- Freedom that is not a fleeting mood. But freedom that allows one to say, "I know who I am. I don't have to pretend to be anyone." Courage is the strength that opens doors when others only see walls. It is the strength that allows one to remain oneself, even when facing criticism, hate speech, or misunderstanding. True courage is not about shouting the loudest. True courage is helping another person when others turn away. It is the courage to talk even with those who disagree with us. It is the courage not to respond to hatred with hatred. For me, courage has always been something very personal. I have made many decisions in my life that required it. Without faith, courage, and support, it would certainly have been harder for me - she emphasized.

"I chose wisely because I didn't yield to fear. I chose life."

- Today I can say that I chose wisely, because I did not yield to fear. I chose life. Not long ago, my everyday life looked completely different. I was an officer of the National Revenue Administration, I performed my duties, I returned home, I lived my ordinary, private time. But life often places us in a situation we didn't plan for. And then the question arises – do we take a step back, or do we take a step forward? - said the First Lady.

"For me, the answer has always been courage"

- For me, the answer has always been courage. During my husband's election campaign, I met thousands of women all over Poland, in Lubelszczyzna, in Mazury, in Wielkopolska, and in Pomorze. And I saw something extraordinary then. I saw their courage. Women who were not afraid to say what they truly felt and thought, even under societal pressure. These were very sincere conversations, sometimes very personal. It was the strength of Polish women. A strength that doesn't need publicity or shouting, but is in daily work, consistency, ambition, and the ability to change reality - she continued.

"Courage is here, in each of us"

- Looking at you today, I know that this courage is here, in each of us. In women who run businesses, who work in administration, in services, in hospitals, in schools, who daily balance professional life with caring for their families. Who support others, even though they themselves often face difficulties. The Polish woman of the 21st century is a woman who can be modern, who understands the world of global changes, but does not forget the values that are the foundation of the most important matters: a loving family, mutual respect, and responsibility for reality - she stated.

"Let's be strong, courageous, and wise"

- At this point, I extend special words of recognition to the laureates of the "Polish Woman of the 21st Century" competition. Each of you represents a different field, but you are united by one thing – the courage to take a step further than others. Let's be strong, courageous, and wise - concluded Marta Nawrocka.