Each year, March 8th serves as a celebration of women and girls everywhere. While we believe women should be celebrated and honoured each and everyday, International Women’s Day reminds us that women’s equality is a world issue and we still have a long way to go to achieve true gender harmony.
Gender equality is essential for economies and communities to thrive. A gender equal world can be healthier, wealthier and more harmonious. The race is on for the gender equal boardroom, a gender equal government, gender equal media coverage, gender equal workplaces, gender equal sports coverage, more gender equality in health and wealth … so let’s make it happen.
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We’re highlighting some of the inspiring female leaders we know within our own circle. These women represent strength and empowerment across different professions, ages, lifestyles and passions. We want to thank them for being the role models they are and ask them exactly what International Womens Day means to them on a personal level…
Laura Wells – Environmental Scientist, Model, Activist and Presenter says that to her, “International women’s day is a day to reconnect with your purposes and own who you are- from your body shape, to your style, your hair colour to your purposes and values. Be proud of what you believe in no matter what the status quo and continue that reconnection and feeling of security and self-worth until next international women’s day. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
It’s a day to say thank you to the pioneering women who helped changed and shape the landscape for us and for us to realise that we are now the pioneers who are creating the future for the next generation of women.”⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Natalie Sheehata – Founder, Editor and eco-stylist of Tommie Magazine: “International Women’s Day celebrates the political, social and economic achievements of Women, whilst still acknowledging the actions we need to take globally, for further gender equality. For me personally, it’s a day to honour the female activists’ before us championing for change, whilst celebrating current female change-makers and creating space and better systems for future generations of Women. It’s a day to lean on each and celebrate the power, strength, resilience and vulnerability we share as Women and that collaboration and community is key to ensuring we keep fighting the good fight. Balance for better is the theme for 2019, and to me I interpret this as rectifying any imbalances between genders and ensuring we as Women have access to leadership positions, to health and safety, income equality, education and that all Women no matter race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status are empowered and represented in media, policy, government and beyond.”
Danielle Ryan – Film Maker, Diver and Founder / Director of Blue Bottle Film (not to mention passionate environmental activist) says: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
“International Women’s Day reminds me of my mother and her stories of when she was younger; how women were segregated from men in ‘common rooms’ at university, how male clients used to refuse to talk to her as a lawyer because she was ‘female’, how she had to protest just to be allowed into a pub, and how all those women before her paved the way to create a better life for her and me.”
Natalie Isaacs – 1 Million Women Founder and CEO: “IWD is a time to shine a light on womens empowerment and for 1MW it’s to keep doing what we always do – empower, inspire and uplift women and remind them that they are powerful through everything they do. Women are the change makers of the world.”⠀⠀⠀⠀
