International Women’s Day 2023
“A girl should be two things: who and what she wants.”
International Women’s Day began life in 1908 as part of the women’s suffrage movement - in support of the New York garment workers’ strike of the same year - when women protested for better wages, voting rights and improved working conditions.
More than 100 years on, it’s now a global event, with celebrations and protests taking place throughout the world in the pursuit of equality and equity for women everywhere; shining a spotlight on gender discrimination, promoting inclusion and educating and raising awareness of women’s issues ranging from the gender pay gap to the #MeToo movement, improved maternity rights and much more.
For me, International Women’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the incredible women who came before me - especially my mum - who I miss every day but whose legacy continues to make me the person I am today. It’s also a chance to show my appreciation for all the strong, fearless, proud, successful, imperfect, wonderful women in my life - like my daughter Scarlet - who never fails to make me proud to be her mother.
As a successful businesswoman and leadership coach, International Women’s Day is also a great time to congratulate my current all-woman team at Firefly, whose unique skills, warmth, determination, creativity, tenacity and dedication have all contributed to making it the business it is today. I look forward to working together in the future, and building a workplace where we continue to thrive.
Happy International Women’s Day!
