Sue Reece provides a personal perspective on International Women’s Day:
“Here’s to strong women: may we know them, may we be them, may we raise them.”
Saturday 8th March marks international Women’s Day (IWD), the anniversary of the 1914 “London March” in support of women’s suffrage.
Now a global event to celebrate the social, economic, cultural achievements of women, it has its foundation in the Women’s Socialist and Political Union started in Manchester by Emmeline Pankhurst to campaign for equal rights and votes for women.
I feel extremely privileged that for a number of years I have been asked to support International Women’s Day by talking about my own role models.
My baseline is always the same, in that I have been extremely fortunate to have had strong female role models inspire me in my life and career.
Women who have done and thought differently; from my maternal great grandmother who, as a widow and mother of eight, bought a farm in County Durham and started up a number of retail businesses (today we would call it an entrepreneurial spirit but she would probably just say it was to put food on the table) to the women I have had the privilege of working with professionally and personally.
The thing they all have in common is a passion for what they are doing, the desire to push the envelope and not accept the status quo, a great sense of the need to be fair and transparent, along with an understanding that in every decision you make there is a person at the centre of it who may be affected.
In addition, they possess that admirable quality of being able to admit when they have got something wrong and will work hard to put it right.
Many of my personal heroes may have been described by some as “emotional”, “driven”, “bossy”, “difficult”, “confrontational” and “formidable”.
However, that “thinking differently” element has been an important facet in my life, and I have always enjoyed working alongside women who have demonstrated this ability.
Women who through their work in education, charities, trusts and politics have selflessly promoted women’s rights and equality of opportunity.
I have always been inspired by listening to their stories and finding out who has motivated them in their lives, and that holds true of the women I met and work alongside in Chilton and across South West Durham.
So, on Sunday morning 11am to 12 noon, I will be hosting the IWD Inspirational Women’s Hour on 105.9 BishopFM, sharing the stories of some great local women who have helped to shape our region; from Lady Eden, the mother of two British Prime Ministers, who dedicated her life to improving the lives of the residents of Chilton and Windlestone, to more modern day heroes who work hard to support those in need.
So, as we celebrate IWD 2025 #AccelerateActions, I hope we can all (women and men) take the time to think about heroes and role models, how we can emulate their positive characteristics and work towards ensuring that, through our own accelerated actions, women are always included, considered, encouraged, respected, valued and visible.
Ferryhill & Chilton's local community newspaper.
