This weekend, Saturday March 8th 2014, is International Women’s Day! This is basically a day dedicated to women around the world (sorry boys!) to celebrate achievements by women and raise awareness on how we can empower women and make lives better. Many events are held all over the world by women in order to celebrate this fantastic day from relaxation evenings, craft workshops, lectures and so on. So, are there any women who inspire you? Here are a few of mine (no particular order)…
- Jack Monroe- Jack is an activist, single mum and author of recipe blog and now fantastic book! She started off blogging about her struggles as a single mum and putting food on the table for her son. Her blogged recipes and food ideas which were cheap to make but still nutritious. She was scouted by penguin and asked to compile her recipes into a book which has just gone on sale. She now also stands up in parliament regularly and campaigns about the poverty and food crisis in the UK. I have so much admiration as she is actively campaigning about something which affects so many people in the UK, a highly developed society, a fact which is quite frankly ridiculous. Go Jack!
- Malala – Malala is a young Pakistani girl who campaigns about education for women and girls. She was shot in 2012 whilst travelling on a bus in the town of Mingora in Pakistan. She was shot purely because she was standing up for what she believes to be right, and the Taliban didn’t agree with her views. She was transported to Birmingham in the UK to be rehabilitated after the shooting. A petition was named after her, aiming to have all children in the world in school by the end of 2015, quite a mean feat, but definitely a fantastic thing to be aiming for. She was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in 2013, the youngest person to have been nominated. What a wonderful and strong young lady.
- Felice Fanny – Felice is a lady I met on my travels last year whilst in Lombok, Indonesia. We were in a small town called Kuta on the south coast of Lombok and found a tiny little shack of a restaurant. This belonged to Felice. We ate here three or four times during our stay in Kuta, enjoying the delicious tempeh burgers she made whilst watching the women cooking. It was a wonderful restaurant and whilst we ate we discovered that Felice used some of her profits to provide food for the children of the community at the weekends. She did this to ensure that they got one good meal per week, and also puts on activities for the children, so they get a break from work and enjoy a little fun. We donated some of our clothes to the children and I am now looking at a way to get money to Felice on a regular basis to help her continue this excellent work that is vital to the community. She has a huge heart and is a beautiful woman.
- Zara Philips – Zara Philips is a lady I admire massively from an equestrian point of view. I have watched her event since I was a little girl, and always loved her determination and courage. When I worked in eventing and evented myself I warmed up alongside her several times and was just in awe of how skilled she is and the kind way she rides. Some people criticize her and say that she is bound to be successful due to her background and support, both financially and expertise. I partially agree with this, and think she does have great support, however, from riding myself I know it would be impossible to get to where she is
today without copious amounts of incredible talent. What’s more is she does all of that, and achieves results whilst in the public eye and scrutiny which cannot be easy. She is just a normal person like you or I when you meet her and that is surprisingly refreshing.
- Karen Lynch – Karen Lynch is CEO of a bottled water company named Belu Water. I first discovered Belu Water a few years ago when looking into ways to fundraise for Wateraid. Belu produce bottled water which is now stocked in many UK restaurants and supermarkets, and all their profits are donated to Wateraid. Karen has grown the business to enable it to be as successful as it is today- something which is not easy in the recent economic climate, especially with a ‘luxury’ product such as this. I love the ethos of the company, and the charity they help, Wateraid, is one of my all time favourites. Water is something that we all need, and many of us take for granted but after a week without running water in the Sahara desert I can tell you- it is something of huge importance and influence in our lives! I now hear that Belu are moving into other areas such as recycled glass and so on, but I have no doubt that with Karen’s influence they will do well!
- My Mum – My mum! Of course! Where do I even start? She is just the most wonderful woman ever really. If you have had the pleasure of meeting her you will know exactly what I mean. She has always been there for me- she offers advice when it is needed but gives me space to be myself and live my own life, and always has, something I appreciate massively. She brought me up on her own with some help from our family, which I know was a tough few years for her, yet I never wanted for anything. She once even let me eat apple pie for tea! Mum is a very kind woman, and would give you her last penny if she thought you were in need more than her. She is peaceful and grounded and still is the one I turn to when I need someone. I can’t imagine how things would be without her, and I admire her immensely for what she has achieved throughout her life, both professionally and personally. If I grow up to be half as resilient, talented, loving and wonderful as Mum, I will be happy.
- Anita Roddick – Anita Roddick is a bit of an obvious one, but my gosh - I do love her! I spent a lot of time with people who work at The Body Shop and have many friends there, and her values and aspirations still run deep within the company- a wonderful achievement to create a workforce who believe in the company so strongly. She started the company back in the 70s, based on strong values. These values are reflected in the products and as a company they are extremely hot on ingredients being sustainable and working with individual farmers to give something back. The Body Shop has regularly campaigned and partnered with charities and NGOs to change the world and attitudes little by little. One lady I know personally, Jessie (hello Jessie!!) and her team managed to get laws changed on sex trafficking – incredible! The Body Shop now also have their own charity, The Body Shop Foundation. They do fantastic work with the environment, people and animal based charities, and were also responsible for starting The Big Issue. Although Anita is no longer around, here is to you Anita and the wonderful legacy you have left for us.
- Emma Wade – Emma isn’t famous like a few of the others, but she is just as wonderful! She is one of my oldest friends and she really does inspire me. I have never told her this so she may be a little surprised reading! I remember days when we were younger galloping around fields on our ponies and having numerous sleep overs at weekends. Now, she is a young mum and training to be a midwife. She is currently part way through a college course before hopefully heading to uni to get qualified. I know in my heart of hearts she can and will do it, I know it is something she really wants and has found her place in life. Her daughter, Isla is one of the cutest and funniest children I have met- so for Isla only she should be bursting with pride (and I am sure she is!). She is a resilient young woman who has had an incredibly tough few years, bringing Isla into the world and more recently has had some life changing health issues. But hopefully things are on the up for Em, and she’s stronger than I have ever known her. Em you are an inspiration to all young women, stay as you are.
- Lucy Caslon – Lucy is the founder of a charity called Msizi Africa. I found out about Lucy and her charity through a friend of a friend and looked at their website. She started the charity back in 2007 after volunteering at The Mantsase childrens home in Lesotho. She saw how little nutrition the children got from meals, as there was simply not enough funding, so on her return home started the charity. They raise money each year to fund feeding programs in Lesotho, as well as support the Mantsase Childrens Home. Many children go to school hungry, that is if they get to go at all. This may be because they don’t have parents, or if they do, there is not enough money for education and food. Lucy and her team ensure that children get healthy and nutritious meals so they can do better in school and generally be healthier. Back in November I helped at a fundraising event for Msizi, selling some greetings cards for them- it was such an amazing night to be in a room with people that have made such a difference to the lives of those children in Lesotho. Incredible work Lucy.
Ah, feeling rather emotional now, speaking about all these inspirational women! On Saturday I will be celebrating them and every single other woman on the planet, not just the famous ones, or the ones we know to be inspirational, but all of you as you are all inspirational in your own little way! Happy International Women’s Day!
