With over a century of history, it’s a day for recognising how far the movement has come and what action is still needed to broaden perceptions, challenge bias and pave the way for a more harmonious and enabled world.
In 1996, the United Nations started to adopt annual themes to mark IWD each year. This year’s theme is #EachforEqual drawn from the notion of ‘collective individualism’.
The organisation’s site states, “Collectively, we can make change happen. Collectively, we can each help to create a gender equal world. We can all choose to be #EachforEqual.”
Join us in thinking about the influential female friends and trailblazers that have shaped our lives and indeed, our futures. May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them.
Zoe
Name a woman that has shaped your life so far?
My Mum & Alfie’s Mum Amanda are two very inspirational ladies that have really shaped my life. My mum taught me how to be positive and to treat people with kindness, to respect people and always give everything 100%, even if it doesn’t turn out how i’d like, the only thing that matters is that i’ve tried. She’s also very creative, and I’ve definitely taken that from her. Amanda taught me how to be more compassionate and to have a completely open mind. She’s one of the most caring people I have ever met and would drop everything to help someone in need. Both these ladies have such a positive impact on my life.
A woman in a position of power that you admire?
Meghan Markle. I think she’s very brave and has handled being put under a microscope with such grace and dignity. I can only imagine how hard it must be to be thrust into an entirely different world in the way that she was.
Which woman would you like to be more like?
Beyonce Knowles. Does this even require an explanation? I love her confidence, her determination, her drive, her voice, her stage presence…everything about her is incredible.
The best lesson we’ve learnt from another female?
Not neccesarily a lesson but my therapist has taught me so much. From how my mind works, to understanding other peoples behaviours and how to completely change the way I see and feel about certain situations. I honestly owe so much to her.
Change you’d most like to see for women going forward?
Not picked apart for their appearance in the media or pitted against one another.
A lesson you’d most like to instil in younger women for the future?
Social media is not real life. Love yourself and treat yourself with the kindess you’d give to others.
Danielle
Name a woman that has shaped your life so far?
I think my mum and my aunties have been such a driving force for me in how I live my life. Not so much in terms of my career but more about how I conduct myself, how I treat other people, hosting, style, and so much more. I’ve also always been lucky enough to be surrounded by hilarious women, I’m a strong believer in laughter being the best medicine.
A woman in a position of power that you admire?
I recently watched the Taylor Swift documentary on Netflix – Miss Americana and thought the way she held herself accountable for being ‘good’ from such a young age was inspiring, especially when that industry wants to see you morph into something else. The way she stood up for herself and decided to speak out against Marsha Blackburn in the midterms was so brave because she had so much to lose, sometimes you have to trust your gut and do what’s right instead of what’s easy.
Which woman would you like to be more like?
Lizzo! What a freakin badass. We’re all obsessed with her at the moment because she oozes confidence and fun. Who wouldn’t want to go on a night out with Lizzo? Bring your flute,I’ll bring the ginny tonics and we can have a right old knees up in Brighton gal!
The best lesson we’ve learnt from another female?
Michelle Obama simply stating that ‘when they go low, we go high’. For some reason, pettiness is popular at the moment and although I enjoy the memes I absolutely do not have time for that sh*t. Stay high people.
Change you’d most like to see for women going forward?
Let’s start helping women in other countries much less fortunate than ourselves, more steps to end period poverty, FGM, child marriages, physical violence against women and basic human rights.
A lesson you’d most like to instil in younger women for the future?
There are no more ‘boy jobs’ and ‘girl jobs’! Be whatever you damn well please. Go for gold, go for CEO, but most importantly go for happiness, because a job title or salary are not the sole measure of human worth.
Lareese
Name a woman that has shaped your life so far?
My crazy nan! She absolutely loved to laugh and even into her 70s she was the life and soul of the party with a larger than life character that would command a room. There was never a dull moment with her and her enthusiasm for living and chasing the good time was infectious.
A woman in a position of power that you admire?
J.K. Rowling – from a single mum on benefits to one of the world’s most celebrated authors, she faced multiple rejections, set backs and personal struggles but never gave up on what she wanted the most.
Which woman would you like to be more like?
Kathy Burke – she’s witty, intelligent and unapologetically frank. I feel like everyone could do with a friend like Kathy to cut through the bull crap and remind you of what really matters. Her All Woman documentary was brilliantly done.
The best lesson we’ve learnt from another female?
One of the toughest lessons I’ve learned from another female is to get comfortable with the uncomfortable. Vulnerability, fear, pain – it’s all part of the fabric of who we are.
Change you’d most like to see for women going forward?
I’d love to see a serious shake up on how women are treated and represented in the media full stop.
A lesson you’d most like to instil in younger women for the future?
That self-love is the greatest love of all! You set the tone for your own life and the sooner you realise that your sense of worth starts and ends with you, you’re already winning.
Maddie
Name a woman that has shaped your life so far?
Definitely my mum. She’s mother nature personified, completely selfless and the most caring person i know. There’s nothing i couldn’t confide in her or trust her with. She wears her heart on her sleeve, speaks her mind and loves really really hard. All of my kindest, warmest qualities, i know i learnt from her.
A woman in a position of power that you admire?
I admire so many women that have pierced the glass ceiling and risen to the top of their businesses, particularly within the tech industry which for so long has been and continues to be dominated by men. A few that come to mind include; Susan Wojcicki (CEO, YouTube), Nicola Mendelsohn (VP of EMEA, Facebook), Andrea Ahrendts (Past VP, Apple) and Amber Venz Box (Founder, RewardStyle). I’ve had the pleasure of meeting all of these incredible powerhouse businesswomen and each of them has inspired me to want to be a better leader.
Which woman would you like to be more like?
I recently watched the Taylor Swift documentary which i found really inspiring. I really admire that she speaks her mind, no matter the consequences when it’s something she feels really passionately about. I have definitely been guilty of biting my tongue in the past to avoid possible confrontation but do I think sometimes you just have to be brave and stand up for the things you believe.
The best lesson we’ve learnt from another female?
I was in an 8 year relationship that ended in my late 20s leaving me incredibly lost and like i’d never find love again. I had gone from the next steps being marriage and kids to completely alone and heartbroken. My girlfriends were incredible during that time and there’s two things that i’ll always remember and really helped me when i was feeling my lowest. One of them reminded me that it’s always “better to be at the back of the queue, than at the front with the wrong person” and the other showed me the quote “It’ll all be alright in the end, if it’s not alright, it’s not the end”. I was given a lot of advice at that time but those two lines stayed with me, they were completely right.
Change you’d most like to see for women going forward?
Let’s close that gender pay gap shall we?
A lesson you’d most like to instil in younger women for the future?
That you can be whoever you want to be.
Charlotte
Name a woman that has shaped your life so far?
Megan Crabbe from @bodyposipanda was one of the first body positivity accounts I discovered on Instagram and it completely flipped my world upside down. Her social media pages and book ‘Body Positive Power’ taught me about diet culture, intuitive eating and how liberating life is after eating disorder recovery. My life would be so different had I never found her page.
A woman in a position of power that you admire?
I have so much admiration for Kenyette Barnes and Oronike Odeleye- founders of the Mute R Kelly movement. They’ve dedicated so much time, energy and perseverance in ensuring justice is served for victims of R Kelly’s actions, whilst also shaping a better future for other victims of sexual assault and abuse.
Which woman would you like to be more like?
Unconventional answer, but Maura from Love Island is pretty bad ass! She knows her worth, spoke up for what she felt was right and was always so supportive to the other girls in the villa- an A* friend!
The best lesson we’ve learnt from another female?
I’ve had a mixture of female therapists over the years that I’ve learnt so much from, but the main thing has been accepting my sensitivity and emotional side as something that’s a part of me and not a trait that needs to be ‘toughened up’. I feel like sensitivity has helped me be a better friend and more empathetic listener, and I’m proud of that part of my personality.
Change you’d most like to see for women going forward?
I’d like women to be able to walk down the street wearing whatever they choose and not feel unsafe. No catcalling, no ‘she was asking for it’ victim blaming and no threat to safety if out at night alone.
A lesson you’d most like to instil in younger women for the future?
Change begins at the grass root level of society: stand up for what you believe in, speak out if you see an injustice being served and be the change you’d like to see in the world. Things are changing for women, but in many respects we still have such a long way to go in helping minority and vulnerable women.
Darcey
Name a woman that has shaped your life so far?
I couldn’t possibly name one woman, this is because growing up I had my mum and my step-mum, who have both shaped my life. They have both taught me so many things about life, always encouraged me to follow my dreams and always offered me support when I’m in need. I have been so lucky growing up with two great women in my life.
A woman in a position of power that you admire?
I really admire Jameela Jamil, I love how honest and open about her life she is online. I also really admire how she admits to mistakes and preaches that it’s human to do so, cancel culture has become so damaging online, but we are all humans who make mistakes. She also really fights for young women, her campaign against detox teas was so monumental (I know these affect all genders, but many ads were targeted at young women). Now that Instagram has banned toxic diet promotion, she really has made history and helped so many people who would have been so affected by these ads.
Which woman would you like to be more like?
Ashley Graham, she has really influenced me in many ways. I love her confidence, her body confidence, her compassion and kindness. She (in my eyes) was the catalyst for inclusivity in the fashion industry, she knew what she wanted and she got it! I really admire that kind of drive.
The best lesson we’ve learnt from another female?
I’ve learnt a lot from Munroe Bergdorf, she has taught me a lot about feminism and about fighting for what you believe in. She is truly amazing, I learn something new from her weekly through her Instagram. Munroe said that once we stop focusing on genders, we will stop this notion of not being “woman-enough or man-enough. Focus on individuality” and that really stuck with me, individuality is much more important, do what makes you happy!
Change you’d most like to see for women going forward?
More women in power! Women and men should be equals, making decisions together. We need more women in parliament, more female CEO’s, more women in the tech industry.
A lesson you’d most like to instil in younger women for the future?
That your beauty isn’t everything, that relationships aren’t everything and that your career isn’t everything. Be you, do what makes you happy and do things at your own pace.
Lauren
Name a woman that has shaped your life so far?
Definitely my mum, she’s so strong yet caring, and is always there to listen and offer advice and speak her mind. She’s always been there for me and has pushed me to live the best life I can, and taught me to own my own power and be a kind person.
A woman in a position of power that you admire?
Phoebe Waller-Bridge, I’d describe her as powerful as she’s been able to use her words and intellect to command a global stage after starting from a small space in Edinburgh and being able to influence and charm the world with her writing and go on to be a big name in the world of entertainment.
Which woman would you like to be more like?
Aside from Phoebe, Marina Diamandis. She is my woman crush forever and always, and she has such an awareness for emotions and society that is always inspiring and eye-opening, and is able to communicate them in a simple yet beautiful manner.
The best lesson we’ve learnt from another female?
“Do whatever brings you to life, then. Follow your own fascinations, obsessions, and compulsions. Trust them. Create whatever causes a revolution in your heart.”
― Elizabeth Gilbert
Change you’d most like to see for women going forward?
Equal and better pay, eradicating period poverty, and having women universally be in charge of their bodies, not men!
A lesson you’d most like to instil in younger women for the future?
Believe in your gut and your passions, strive to make changes where you can, and know there is so much power inside of you.
