International Women’s Day
In a week where we mark World Book Day, International Women’s Day and Mother’s Day, I thought I would reflect on the great women in our lives. The pioneers, the unsung heroes the role models, (and for me, on the anniversary of her death, my Mum, and the influence she had on me).
The world of literature is filled with many wonderfully talented women, both within the pages and the authors who fill the pages. I thought that I would share my top 6 book recommendations.
- Anne of Green Gables ~ Lucy Maud Montgomery. One of my all-time favourite reads and adaptations. The story of an orphan sent to live with two ageing siblings, who grows up with them amidst lots of trials and tribulations. Anne is a wonderful fiery, independent character with a great imagination!
- Any children’s books by Shirley Hughes have always been a winner in our house, particularly the stories of Alfie, and Dogger. The illustrations are utterly charming.
- Between the mountain and the Sky ~ Maggie Doyne. A truly inspiring story spanning over a decade, during which time, Maggie journeyed from her New Jersey home for a gap year that forever changed the trajectory of her life. The book documents her incredibly personal, and at times heartbreaking, journey to helping the community in Surkhet, Nepal. It is a captivating story of love, loss, and healing.
- Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo ~ Taylor Jenkins Reid. Evelyn comes from a poor background, but marries the first of her many husbands in order to move to Hollywood and pursue her career. The novel spans over the entirety of Hugo's life, and centres around the circumstances surrounding each of her marriages. It was a book that was easy to read and switch off with.
- The Wild Other ~ Clover Stroud. When she was 16, Clover’s Mum suffered a horse riding accident that left her with permanent brain damage. This is the memoir about Clover’s grief, journey through motherhood, depression and the healing power of nature. I loved it!
- A hope more powerful than the sea ~ Melissa Fleming. A Hope More Powerful Than the Sea tells the story of Doaa Al-Zamel, a Syrian girl whose life was upended in 2011 by her country's brutal civil war. She shares her story of love, loss and survival which is utterly heartbreaking.
International Women’s Day is a day to cheerlead and celebrate all the wonderful women in our lives. I personally don’t feel that we necessarily need a specific day for this, as I do try and do this on a daily basis, I’m forever grateful to all the wonderful women I am fortunate enough to have in my life. I do however, want to share with you some of the women I admire, respect and am inspired by.
~ Amy Powney, Founder of Mother of Pearl. She is a creative director, activist, and film maker of the incredible ‘Fashion Reimagined’ highlighting the importance of transparency in the fashion supply chain, and has spoken at various Ted talks about the importance of climate change and the ways that fashion can be created more consciously.
~ Josie Naughton, CEO of Choose Love, a non-profit organisation supporting millions of refugees around the world. Started by friends wanting to raise some money during the refugee crisis in 2015, it is now a global organisation working in 26 countries to support refugees and displaced people, by partnering with and funding over 200 local based organisations. The work that they do is phenomenal.
~ Dr Jane Goodall, Ethologist and conservationist. UN messenger for peace. In the 1960’s, Jane travelled to Gombeto study chimpanzee behaviours. She went on to redefine conservation and to include the needs of local people and the environment. establishing not for profit institutes around the world. Having had the fortune and pleasure of being able to witness her speak in person, I am even more inspired by her.
~ Maggie Doyne, CEO and co-founder of BlinkNow a not for profit organisation set up to help and support the children of Nepal. She has become globally recognised for her community based and sustainable initiatives. She has created schools, health centres, women centres all whilst running a children’s home which provides care, comfort, education and empowerment. A truly remarkable woman.
~ Mary Portas, OBE. Following a career as a retail consultant and broadcaster, Mary has gone on to found the ‘we are portas’ agency, a brand and retail expert, and ‘The Better Business Act’, an organisation working to change the UK law, so that every company aligns their interests with people, planet and profit. Mary is championing a kindness economy, with a heart and conscience, where people and planet are put before profit!
~ Joanna Maiden, founder of Kujuwa Initiative. Kujuwa has a vision of supporting girls in Kenya to have the same opportunities as boys. Striving to end period stigma, normalise menstruation and give girls and menstruators the equal opportunities they deserve. Through their work they help to increase confidence in young women, improve grades, reduce unplanned teenage pregnancy and support girls in their community to thrive. They are passionate about ending period poverty in Kenya.
~ Leigh, founder of The Re:Directory, a platform sharing information on conscious creators and mindful makers that help to lower our impact on the planet. Leigh works to inform and empower the decisions, we as consumers make, by researching and sharing information about how the decisions made within the fashion industry affect people and the planet. She believes that we all have the power to make a difference by making conscious, informed decisions.
A final note that I wouldn’t be able to write this post without mentioning those women closest to me, the talented women I get to work with, the friends who lift me, the females in my family who bring me such joy, especially my three girls, and finally my Mum, for all she was and all she continues to be to me. 12 years on, and she is still my inspiration, my guide and my role model, and I am grateful every day that I got so lucky having you as my Mum. Sending love to all on this International Women’s Day, let us lift one another and shine a light for peace and harmony on this day and every day.
