International Women’s Day March 2023

I hope today you have joy and cultivate relationships with other strong women. I hope you dip into the pleasure of conversations and connections and remind yourself of what is possible when you come together with others in a common embrace.
Happy International Women’s Day.

When you’re called to talk about women and equity…
Will you expand? Will you shrink? Will you speak out? Will you do so with clarity? Will you be silent? Will you share your story? Will you tuck it away?
Or will you turn your story into a boomerang that can be sent from woman to woman, inspiring them to lead, activate, shift the status quo?
Today, you are here on a planet where women are still seen as second class. How will you use your voice to walk the talk of change?

When I started my (name your creative business) doing (state what you do).
No one thought I’d make it. Even those close to me were (nervous, worried /concerned). “I hope she gets a real job,” they’d say when they thought I was not listening.
But let me tell you something on this International Women’s Day, there is no better feeling than walking past judgement so you can enter into your own joy. And there is nothing better than believing in yourself.
___( 10/20/5 years later) I am a success at ___( describe your accomplishments) because I (describe your why).
I want you to know as you celebrate International Women’s Day that your life is yours. Your happiness is your responsibility. Your work is your joy and if done well will make you prosperous.
On a day like today I know that you may be seeking the clarity, strength and bravery to step out onto the unknown. If you are looking for a sign to go ahead to do your thing, then let my story be your sign. Happy International Women’s Day.

I deeply believe that as women we are less likely to wonder why our work matters once we see that it paves the way to open the door for others and know the ones behind us will struggle less than we did
To know that our output as creatives, makers and female shakers are valued and paid for on equal terms is a blessing but it is not the same for every woman.
Only when it is, will we know that our work has value not just for ourselves but for the ones we are pulling up to move ahead of us on the march for true equity.
Whether you are celebrating in a big way today or continuing quietly with your work, please remember to look back, extend your hand and pull up as you lead.
Happy International Women’s Day.

My favourite quote from _____ (Virginia Woolf, Maya Angelou/Toni Morrison) is ______(No need to hurry. No need to sparkle. No need to be anybody but oneself.”/ “Phenomenal woman, that’s me” / “You can do some rather extraordinary things if that’s what you really believe.”
After all of these ______ [weeks/months/years) since first reading that quote, it has struck me how much I have internalised it and used it to navigate my life.
Today, I remember to____ (to be true to who I am and what I want from life/ always stay humble, even amidst my greatest success/ to shine and never dim my light/ to work hard for what I want and enjoy and share my success ).
I’ve realised that to embrace equity we must first embrace our own strengths and then teach others, both men and women, to value our worth and reward it too.
Happy International Women’s Day.