Written by Linsey, Emma, Bronwyn & Mary
“Define success on your own terms, achieve it by your own rules, and build a life you’re proud to live.” – Anne Sweeney.
Being a female-founded company, we don’t just mark International Women’s Day; we live it. The sheer force of women’s resilience, so evident throughout history, is not lost on us. Yet, March 8th highlights the ongoing battles and escalating hurdles that continue to hinder true equality.
International Women’s Day is a powerful moment for everyone to reflect, celebrate and come together as we continue to drive forward towards an equitable future and this year it is all about #AccerlerateAction.
You may have seen our blog in 2024 “It’s Sorry Not Sorry this International Women’s Day” which highlighted the challenging yet rewarding reality of being a working mum in the events industry, emphasising the need for supportive workplaces that recognise and accommodate the demands of balancing professional and family life.
For this year, Linsey and Emma have brought more of the team on board to find out a bit more about what it means to be a woman to us and how we want to see the future shaped.
What kind of world do you want for the future generations of women?
Mary Jones:
“As a mother of two brave, strong willed girls this is a big question to ask! I want all girls to grow into women without losing that strong willed energy they naturally have as children, lost through opinions and directions given by other people. I want them to see equal representation of males and females in positions of power, I want them to know that they are as capable as men to carry out any job they put their mind to and be paid the same for it. I want them to work and live without derogatory language and behaviours being normal. I want them to see the world value the skills and knowledge gained through unpaid care work whether it be motherhood, elderly relatives or otherwise. I want them to be living in a world where they can make choices about their own bodies as a standard. I want them to have the ability to walk down a street alone without looking over their shoulder in fear of violence or abuse.
These things should be normal and I have dedicated myself to teaching my children that they should be in the hope that they grow up to value themselves as equal persons in this world and that they may make decisions wholly based on their idea of what will give them full and happy lives. No holding back!
I have a motto, ‘it is nice to be nice’…. nice being a bland word expecting nothing extraordinary but a standard manner of kindness. It would be “nice” if all the above was as normal an expectation as we expect kindness from others.”
What is one thing you’d change about the world to make it a better place for women?
Bronwyn Baker:
“I think our future girls and boys need an educational ‘shake-up’ programme that teaches EVERYONE the importance of gender equality where mutual respect and kindness are at the core. It would be a programme that starts in childhood and continues throughout adulthood helping create a society that doesn’t just talk about equality, but lives it. Allowing future generations of women and girls to live in a world where the rules have been rewritten so that everyone wins!”
How can we ensure that the spirit of International Women’s Day extends beyond a single day?
Linsey Nicol
“There are so many things I feel like I could write for this but for me it comes down to generally supporting the women and girls in your life. Whether that be celebrating your female work colleagues successes, educating yourself on gender equality by reading books or articles, actively listening to women’s experiences and backing women owned businesses (to name a few!). I want to commit to learning and understanding key issues whilst championing women every day to keep the spirit from the 8th March going throughout the year and beyond…”
What’s one thing you are celebrating about being a woman today?
Emma Stout
“The strength of women.
Nearly every day I feel there is some sort of battle, whether it’s personal or professional, we find ourselves dealing with, but the focus is we are dealing with it, and proving time and time again just how strong we are. News and social media recently has really highlighted how we still have an uphill journey on our way to equality but the responses from women are powerful, creative, educated and reasoned and it’s inspiring watching women come together to push back on harmful and insulting narratives currently making headlines.
I think this strength is also highlighted in the honesty of women who aren’t afraid to speak up, making it easier for more of us to do the same, creating an environment of support, bravery and kindness.
And even in those moments when I don’t want to deal with things, I know I have an army of women behind me to support and help, and that’s a truly powerful thing to have.”
There are some amazing resources out there for anyone who wants to know more about the movement and the equality fight. We’ve shared a few of the team’s top picks below:
International Women’ s Day website
Women Living Deliciously by Florence Given
Invisible Women | Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Perez
Work Like a Woman: A Manifesto For Change
“There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish.” – Michelle Obama
