Women who inspire us

To mark International Women’s Day (8th March), our Dreamers have shared with us the women that have inspired them, not only in their careers, but in their day-to-day lives too.

“Mine has got to be **Buffy the Vampire Slayer**. Bear with me here, I know she’s a character (although Sarah Michelle Gellar is pretty inspirational too) but I think she was one of the first female superhero protagonists that I can recall getting the TV spotlight. As for the show in general, it was generally the female characters that had power and the males became secondary; we have a vampire slayer, witch, ex demon who regularly came to the aid of men in the series. And let’s not forget that the character was your stereotypical dumb blonde that the team subverted to become a really strong and powerful icon. For me, the show really paved the way for #girlpower as I was growing up.”

*- Laura Quigley, PR & Content Director*

“My mentor, my motivator and **my mother**, but you’re so much more than that. It takes serious balls to drag two emotional teenage girls half way across the world, on your own, with nowhere to go and nothing but three suitcases, in hope that one day they’ll realise and thank you for giving them a life that you never had.”

*- Anonymous*

“I’m channelling **Eleanor of Aquitaine** on International Women’s Day. She was powerful, rich, intelligent, sexual and political in a time when it wasn’t normal for a woman to openly be so. She reminds me to speak my mind, never settle, and that age (she lived to 80) and gender are never obstacles to success.”

*- Elanor Edwards, Senior Account Manager*

“Mine has got to be **Michelle Obama**, not only was she the first African-American First Lady, but she is also a very successful writer and lawyer and her most recent position as the vice-president of the University of Chicago. While her husband was in office, she pushed for poverty awareness and equal opportunities for all Americans (and humans) and I think may have helped to inspire a generation of women in the US, if not worldwide.”

*- Nat Dufton, Senior Account Executive*

“There are a few women that stand out as inspirational for me.

**Amelia Earhart**: She’s a fantastic example of doing the right thing is always the right thing, even if you’re not the one that gets to see the final result.

**Anna Akana**: She really inspired me to as a content creator. She’s written a book and makes content about losing her sister to suicide but she’s a super positive creator and a big voice on the Youtube scene.

**Ronda Rousey**: Judo champion representing her country at a very young age. She lost her father to suicide and is almost the singular reason that UFC (not just the women’s division) is as big as it is. Fighting isn’t just violence and she inspired thousands of women to learn self-defence and learn combat sports. That a real woman isn’t just pretty in pink – she’s a fighter too!’

*- Martin Kennedy, Social Media Strategist*

“The biggest female inspiration to have an impact on me is **my Nan**. Throughout her life, she has suffered with so much. Abandoned by her parents, she grew up in the capable hands of my great great Nan. She also contracted an illness when she was 6 which caused her to turn completely deaf. Throughout this hardship, she never fails to have a smile on her face and brightens up any room she walks in. She now has 2 kids, 7 grand kids and 2 great-grand kids who all love and look up to her. Cheers Nan.”

*- Corey Coulson, PR & Content Executive*

“**My great aunty** is my inspiration. She was a truly independent woman, as she never married, but was the most positive, grateful, selfless person I ever met. She was always so happy and kind, and nothing was ever a worry, and I’m confident that it’s because of this she survived two world wars and made it to the impressive age of 94. She was an absolute legend.”

*- Lucy Barratt-Smith, Account Manager*

“My inspirational woman is **Jameela Jamil**: Jameela speaks out against many things through her activism, however, her instagram account #iweigh which she describes as “a movement… for us to feel valuable and see how amazing we are, and look past the flesh on our bones” has given so many women (and men) the opportunity to see the best in themselves and what they have overcome. Jameela is also staunchly against airbrushing in the media, and has inspired companies like ASOS to show the beauty in the so called “flaws” of their models (stretchmarks, scars, fat etc.)”

*- Penny-Jane Bourne, Designer*

“Mine is **Ruth Bader Ginsberg** – she fought tooth and nail, all while raising a family and caring for a sick husband, to raise herself to a position in which she could advocate for all women, and prove to white male decision makers that sex discrimination is a thing. She fought, and continues to fight, for equality. She was backed by an awesome guy in her husband Marty, who was an equally passionate feminist.”

*- Kirsty Visman, Australian Director*

“**Serena Williams** for me: She’s holds the most tennis titles out of any current active tennis player, and she showed incredible commitment to returning to the sport after discovering she was pregnant and recovering from a pulmonary embolism and postpartum depression. She has been an activist for Black Lives Matter and set up schools in Jamaica and Kenya. She also received a Celebrity Role Model Award from Avon Foundation in 2003 for her work in breast cancer.”

*- Alex Van Dijk, Senior PPC Executive*

“Mine is **Jess Phillips MP**, because she unequivocally speaks the truth and uses her platform to campaign for those who are under-represented in society and who often don’t have a voice. She’s is an extremely relatable politician, and a young, female one at that which is rare, and of course a feminist.”

*- Jayne Scarman, Business Development & Planning Manager*

“Mine is **Ada Lovelace** for her work on computing and related fields.”

*- Michael Chapman, Senior SEO Executive*

“Today, and every day, I’m celebrating **all women, everywhere** – right back to the brave, assertive women throughout history who fought for change and acceptance, even though their beliefs were completely disregarded by contemporary society, through to the powerful leaders of today who are still determined to drive change and recognise there’s still a way to go in breaking down harmful traditions and stereotypes, from the way they dress, look, or lead their life.”

*- Hayley Evans, Junior PR & Content Manager*