What International Women's Day Means To Me

It's International Women's Day and as a team of mostly women in The Head Plan, we felt it was important to share our thoughts and feelings on What International Women’s Day Means to Us. 

We are from different countries and different counties, but one thing we all have in common is our appreciation for each other and for women worldwide. We are here to empower and support one another in all the ways that we can. 

Here's a snippet from each of the team on the importance of this day. The conversation varies, as we're sure it does with you and your tribe. 

Denise

I am a big fan of international Women’s Day. I love nothing more than supporting women everyday but to see the public outpour of stories and celebration today is always so inspiring. Every woman deserves to be celebrated. IWD is a reminder of the progress that has been made in terms of women’s rights and gender equality, but also of the work that still needs to be done. Today, as a female founder I also lean into celebrating the women, especially those in wellness, who are carving out the path of possibility in front of me as I continue to navigate in business.

Chris

For you to know what International Women’s Day means to me you need to understand where I come from and what femicides are. As a brown Latino Mexican immigrant for me this day is so much more than shining a spotlight on inspirational women. In summer 2007 my hometown became known worldwide due to the number of women that would appear dead in the desert. In the last 3 decades over 2,300 women have been murdered and so many more are still disappeared.  I’m disappointed to reveal that figures have not come down. To this day, on average, 10 women are victims of femicide (the killing of females by males because they are female) and over 15 girls are raped every day in Mexico. Every 8^th of March thousands of Mexican women March the streets asking for safety, for laws that punish those who hurt women. They take the streets of Mexico to give a voice to those that don’t have one anymore; and they all wear purple to commemorate those killed on the 8^th of March of 1908 where women gathered in textile manufacturer COTTON in NYC to fight for equal salaries and better working conditions; the owner of the place locked them up and set the building on fire. The fabrics they produced were violet and that’s why every year this colour is used to represent the fight, the struggle, the pain and the hopes of millions of women, for a better tomorrow, for you, for me, for the women in our life and for the future generations.  

For me, International Women’s Day is a day to go to the streets, or to make your voice heard, to march for those who couldn’t, for those who didn’t come back home. For those that didn’t make it to Christmas, to their graduation, to their wedding, to the next day; for those that were also part of the movement, for those that fight every day to be in positions of power, for those that want equality, for those that want to have their own opinion, for those that fight for their body to be theirs. For me, International Women’s Day means a new chance to to represent me and thousands of other women looking to walk safely in the streets, to earn an equal salary, to be able to have the same opportunities. For me the 8th of March is a day to tell a story, to tell their story, my story, the story of so many women. For the ones that dare to share their story, the ones that inspire and help others, the ones that can’t… a day to let go, fight, shout, forgive but never forget. A day to reflect on what we can do better, how we can support each other.  

Meg

International Women’s day is by far one of my favourite days of the year. It is a day of celebrating incredible women and providing a voice for those who need it and highlighting important key issues that affect many women around the world.

As a woman navigating life in my twenties I often can find myself feeling lost, unsettled and unsure if I am on the correct path to achieving my goals. When I feel like this I find looking to influential women really comforting in how every woman has overcome their own personal obstacles in life to go onto achieve incredible things.

I am very grateful that I have been surrounded by incredible women throughout my life such as, my Mam, who is a beacon of strength and shows resilience, selflessness and an abundance of love every single day despite being diagnosed with chronic illness in her late twenties. This has not stopped her raising two strong women and she is now playing a key part in raising her strong minded two year old granddaughter. In times of uncertainty I am lucky enough to have strong women to guide me at home, in my circle, and at work here at the Head Plan. 

Kelly

In South Africa we celebrate Women’s Day on the 9th of August. The day marks the march of 1965 where thousands of women from all different cultures and backgrounds stood together in a peaceful and powerful display of unity, fighting for change.

Today it is a day that celebrates the strength and resilience of women and their contribution to society and our beautiful country. To me, International Women’s Day is just that - a day to celebrate and honour the women in my life by lavishing them with love. It’s also a day for reflection, and to recognize how far the women before me have gone in order for me and many other women to be where we are today, whilst still recognizing how much more change needs to be made. I then end the day off with immense gratitude, for the powerful women who raised me, the strong women who surround me, and the influential women who I learn from daily.

Marina

International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women and also calls to action women’s equality.

For me, International Women’s Day starts at home. I was fortunate enough to be raised by a woman who was a pillar of strength in my life. I lost my father at a very young age, leaving my Mother to raise myself and my three siblings alone. She worked throughout our lives, kept a farm running, and looked after us as both a mother and father figure.

One thing that was instilled in myself and my brothers was a sense of equality. We all worked on the farm, and we all cooked and cleaned. When it came to our education, she made sure we all went to college, giving us the best possible chance in life. I think that this is the most important element I've taken from all of this - the sense of equality between me and my brothers has followed me all my life. We are all equal beings. 

I strongly believe that being raised by a woman of such strength and dignity has made me seek like-minded women out my whole life. I am surrounded by fearless, brave friends and colleagues. I’ve sought out strong female leaders and have been lucky enough to be blessed with working alongside these trailblazers.

Highlighting International Women’s Day is of the greatest importance to me. We all know strong women, we are all strong women, and we can all hold each other up when we’re in need. One of the most powerful movements that I have experienced as an adult was the Me Too movement. I can only hope that we continue to shine a light on the struggles facing us as women and support each other in every way possible as we move forward. 

May we continue to be there for one another, to highlight our experiences, to continue the conversations, and break the mould in anyway we can.