8 inspiring women we should all know about

March 8th is International Women’s Day. A time where women everywhere are recognised for all they do, while awareness of continued inequality is raised. We know you don’t need a specific day to celebrate the women in your lives: 232,503 of you sent flowers to big up a friend’s success this past year. Empowering women is something you all do every day!

So to mark the occasion, we wanted to share our list of 8 women who are inspiring change globally right now.
We hope that reading this list will leave you feeling energised

8 inspiring women we
should all know about

March 8th is International Women’s Day. A time where women everywhere are recognised for all they do, while awareness of continued inequality is raised. We know you don’t need a specific day to celebrate the women in your lives: 232,503 of you sent flowers to big up a friend’s success this past year. Empowering women is something you all do every day!

So to mark the occasion, we wanted to share our list of 8 women who are inspiring
change globally right now. We hope that reading this list will leave you feeling energised

8 inspiring women we should all
know about

March 8th is International Women’s Day. A time where women everywhere are recognised for all they do, while awareness of continued inequality is raised. We know you don’t need a specific day to celebrate the women in your lives: 232,503 of you sent flowers to big up a friend’s success this past year. Empowering women is something you all do every day!

So to mark the occasion, we wanted to share our list of 8 women who are inspiring change globally right now. We hope that reading this list will leave you feeling energised

Amika George, Founder of
the #FreePeriods campaign

After learning how many teenagers miss school because they can’t afford sanitary products (currently about 137,700 each year), Amika started the not-for-profit campaign group, Free Periods. Their goal was to get the government to provide free sanitary products to school children from disadvantaged backgrounds. And in 2019, their hard work paid off.

Since then, Amika’s been working to destigmatise periods, so that girls no longer feel embarrassed or ashamed of them. And in her recent book Make It Happen, she shares her tips on how to be an effective activist. You can follow her on Instagram @amikageorge and learn more about the Free Periods campaign here.

Amika George,
Founder of the #FreePeriods campaign

After learning how many teenagers miss school because they can’t afford sanitary products (currently about 137,700 each year), Amika started the not-for-profit campaign group, Free Periods. Their goal was to get the government to provide free sanitary products to school children from disadvantaged backgrounds. And in 2019, their hard work paid off.

Since then, Amika’s been working to destigmatise periods, so that girls no longer feel embarrassed or ashamed of them. And in her recent book Make It Happen, she shares her tips on how to be an effective activist. You can follow her on Instagram @amikageorge and learn more about the Free Periods campaign here.

Rochelle Bugg, author and blogger
who supports young carers

When Rochelle was just 14, she started a blog to help herself deal with her father’s pancreatic cancer diagnosis, then death. Then when she was 26, she was left to look after her younger siblings after her mum had passed away from a brain tumour. Through it all, she kept up her blog to help anyone else going through something similar.

Following the success of her blog, Rochelle has written her own book called Handle With Care, which combines practical advice with humour for those who are caring for a loved one. The release date is March 4th 2021 but you can check out Rochelle’s website here or follow her on Instagram @rochellebugg today.

Rochelle Bugg,
author and blogger
who supports
young carers

When Rochelle was just 14, she started a blog to help herself deal with her father’s pancreatic cancer diagnosis, then death. Then when she was 26, she was left to look after her younger siblings after her mum had passed away from a brain tumour. Through it all, she kept up her blog to help anyone else going through
something similar.

Following the success of her blog, Rochelle has written her own book called Handle With Care, which combines practical advice with humour for those who are caring for a loved one. The release date is March 4th 2021 but you can check out Rochelle’s website here or follow her on Instagram @rochellebugg today.

Phyllis Opoku-Gyimah,
Co-founder of UK Black Pride

The first UK Black Pride Phyllis (also known as Lady Phyll) hosted back in 2005 was a day trip to Southend-on-Sea with a group of other Black lesbians. Now, it’s Europe’s largest pride celebration for LGBTQ+ people of African, Asian, Caribbean, Latin American and Middle Eastern descent.

She started UK Black Pride because she saw the need to create a safe space for minority ethnic LGBTQ+ people, who may feel left out of traditional Pride events. And as well as overseeing the event, she’s is a trustee at Stonewall, has won several awards for her work.

Follow Lady Phyll on Instagram @ladyphyll
and on Twitter @MsLadyPhyll.

The first UK Black Pride Phyllis (also known as Lady Phyll) hosted back in 2005 was a day trip to Southend-on-Sea with a group of other Black lesbians. Now, it’s Europe’s largest pride celebration for LGBTQ+ people of African, Asian, Caribbean, Latin American
and Middle Eastern descent.

She started UK Black Pride because she saw the need to create a safe space for minority ethnic LGBTQ+ people, who may feel left out of traditional Pride events. And as well as overseeing the event, she’s is a trustee at Stonewall, has won several
awards for her work.

Follow Lady Phyll on Instagram @ladyphyll
and on Twitter @MsLadyPhyll.

Phyllis
Opoku-Gyimah,
Co-founder of UK
Black Pride

The first UK Black Pride Phyllis (also known as Lady Phyll) hosted back in 2005 was a day trip to Southend-on-Sea with a group of other Black lesbians. Now, it’s Europe’s largest pride celebration for LGBTQ+ people of African, Asian, Caribbean, Latin American and Middle Eastern descent.

She started UK Black Pride because she saw the need to create a safe space for minority ethnic LGBTQ+ people, who may feel left out of traditional Pride events. And as well as overseeing the event, she’s is a trustee at Stonewall, has won several awards for her work.

Follow Lady Phyll on Instagram @ladyphyll and on Twitter @MsLadyPhyll.

Sinéad Burke, Author
and disability advocate

When Sinéad began studying to become a primary school teacher, she probably never imagined that one day, she’d be teaching people all around the world.

She first started her blog over 10 years ago because - as someone who loved expressing herself through her clothing - she found that brands weren’t considering those with achondroplasia (a form of dwarfism). But now her voice has definitely been heard. She’s since given several successful TEDx Talks and has even joined discussions
at the White House.

Sinéad is on Instagram and Twitter,
and you can follow her @thesineadburke.

When Sinéad began studying to become a primary school teacher, she probably never imagined that one day, she’d be teaching people all around the world.

She first started her blog over 10 years ago because - as someone who loved expressing herself through her clothing - she found that brands weren’t considering those with achondroplasia (a form of dwarfism). But now her voice has definitely been heard. She’s since given several successful TEDx Talks and has even joined discussions at the White House.

Sinéad is on Instagram and Twitter,
and you can follow her @thesineadburke.

Sinéad Burke,
Author and
disability advocate

When Sinéad began studying to become a primary school teacher, she probably never imagined that one day, she’d be teaching people all around the world.

She first started her blog over 10 years ago because - as someone who loved expressing herself through her clothing - she found that brands weren’t considering those with achondroplasia (a form of dwarfism). But now her voice has definitely been heard. She’s since given several successful TEDx Talks and has even joined discussions at the White House.

Sinéad is on Instagram and Twitter,
and you can follow her @thesineadburke.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie,
Bestselling author

When she released her award-winning debut novels (Purple Hibiscus and Half a Yellow Sun) back in the early 2000s, Chimamanda had quickly become well known on the literary scene. And then she gave her speech The Danger of a Single Story, which became one of the most viewed TEDx Talks of all time.

But it was after she published the book-length essay We Should All Be Feminists that she gained a semi-celebrity status, with fans including Beyoncé and Oprah. It’s perhaps because she’s such a good storyteller, that she’s inspired so many people globally to join the fight for gender equality.

Follow Chimamanda on Instagram @chimamanda_adichie or visit her official website here.

When she released her award-winning debut novels (Purple Hibiscus and Half a Yellow Sun) back in the early 2000s, Chimamanda had quickly become well known on the literary scene. And then she gave her speech The Danger of a Single Story, which became one of the most viewed TEDx Talks of all time.

But it was after she published the book-length essay We Should All Be Feminists that she gained a semi-celebrity status, with fans including Beyoncé and Oprah. It’s perhaps because she’s such a good storyteller, that she’s inspired so many people globally to join the fight for gender equality.

Follow Chimamanda on Instagram @chimamanda_adichie or
visit her official website here.

Chimamanda
Ngozi Adichie, Bestselling author

When she released her award-winning debut novels (Purple Hibiscus and Half a Yellow Sun) back in the early 2000s, Chimamanda had quickly become well known on the literary scene. And then she gave her speech The Danger of a Single Story, which became one of the most viewed TEDx Talks of all time.

But it was after she published the book-length essay We Should All Be Feminists that she gained a semi-celebrity status, with fans including Beyoncé and Oprah. It’s perhaps because she’s such a good storyteller, that she’s inspired so many people globally to join the fight for gender equality.

Follow Chimamanda on Instagram @chimamanda_adichie or visit her
official website here.

Gina Martin, Political
activist and author

Back in 2017, Gina was enjoying her time at a festival in London when she realised that a man had taken a picture of her underwear from under her skirt. She reported it to the police (with his phone as proof) but was told that no law had been broken, so there was nothing they could do. In 2018, she began campaigning to make upskirting illegal. The next year, it
finally became law.

Last year, she published a book called Be The Change: A Toolkit for the Activist in You, a guide to leading a successful campaign, big or small.

Find out what Gina gets up to in her daily
life on her Instagram @ginamartin.

Back in 2017, Gina was enjoying her time at a festival in London when she realised that a man had taken a picture of her underwear from under her skirt. She reported it to the police (with his phone as proof) but was told that no law had been broken, so there was nothing they could do. In 2018, she began campaigning to make upskirting illegal.
The next year, it finally became law.

Last year, she published a book called Be The Change: A Toolkit for the Activist in You, a guide to leading a successful campaign, big or small.

Find out what Gina gets up to in her daily
life on her Instagram @ginamartin.

Back in 2017, Gina was enjoying her time at a festival in London when she realised that a man had taken a picture of her underwear from under her skirt. She reported it to the police (with his phone as proof) but was told that no law had been broken, so there was nothing they could do. In 2018, she began campaigning to make upskirting illegal. The next year, it finally became law.

Last year, she published a book called Be The Change: A Toolkit for the Activist in You, a guide to leading a successful campaign, big or small.

Find out what Gina gets up to in her daily
life on her Instagram @ginamartin.

Naana Otoo-Oyortey MBE,
Executive Director of FORWARD

Naana has a long history of advocating for women’s rights, particularly when it comes to child marriages and domestic violence. And after joining FORWARD - the woman-led organisation working to end violence against women and girls - she’s helped make an impact across the globe.

While the organisation had its beginnings in East and West Africa, FORWARD runs programmes in the UK too, after finding that around 100,000 women here have been victims of female genital mutilation. Because of her dedication to the cause, Naana has been named one of London’s most influential people by the Evening Standard.

Find out more about Naana and
FORWARD’s work on their website.

Naana has a long history of advocating for women’s rights, particularly when it comes to child marriages and domestic violence. And after joining FORWARD - the woman-led organisation working to end violence against women and girls - she’s helped make an
impact across the globe.

While the organisation had its beginnings in East and West Africa, FORWARD runs programmes in the UK too, after finding that around 100,000 women here have been victims of female genital mutilation. Because of her dedication to the cause, Naana has been named one of London’s most influential people by the Evening Standard.

Find out more about Naana and
FORWARD’s work on their website.

Naana
Otoo-Oyortey MBE, Executive Director
of FORWARD

Image credit: FORWARD UK

Naana has a long history of advocating for women’s rights, particularly when it comes to child marriages and domestic violence. And after joining FORWARD - the woman-led organisation working to end violence against women and girls - she’s helped make an impact across the globe.

While the organisation had its beginnings in East and West Africa, FORWARD runs programmes in the UK too, after finding that around 100,000 women here have been victims of female genital mutilation. Because of her dedication to the cause, Naana has been named one of London’s most influential people by the Evening Standard.

Find out more about Naana and
FORWARD’s work on their website.

Professor Sarah Gilbert, The woman
behind the Oxford vaccine

Professor Sarah Gilbert, The woman behind
the Oxford vaccine

Image credit: New Scientist

If Sarah had given up on pursuing a career in science - as she’d been considering while studying for her PhD - the Oxford Covid-19 vaccine may never have existed. That’s because she and her team at the Jenner Institute were the ones that created it.

Sarah has a history of being involved in creating groundbreaking vaccines. Back in 2014, she led the first trial of an Ebola vaccine. And when the Covid-19 outbreak first began, she was in Saudi Arabia trialling a vaccine for the Mers coronavirus. That’s what helped her team create the Oxford vaccine so quickly - she realised they could use a similar approach.

Read more about Sarah’s work on
the Jenner Institute website.

If Sarah had given up on pursuing a career in science - as she’d been considering while studying for her PhD - the Oxford Covid-19 vaccine may never have existed. That’s because she and her team at the Jenner Institute were the ones
that created it.

Sarah has a history of being involved in creating groundbreaking vaccines. Back in 2014, she led the first trial of an Ebola vaccine. And when the Covid-19 outbreak first began, she was in Saudi Arabia trialling a vaccine for the Mers coronavirus. That’s what helped her team create the Oxford vaccine so quickly - she realised they could
use a similar approach.

Read more about Sarah’s work on the Jenner Institute website.

If Sarah had given up on pursuing a career in science - as she’d been considering while studying for her PhD - the Oxford Covid-19 vaccine may never have existed. That’s because she and her team at the Jenner Institute were the ones that created it.

Sarah has a history of being involved in creating groundbreaking vaccines. Back in 2014, she led the first trial of an Ebola vaccine. And when the Covid-19 outbreak first began, she was in Saudi Arabia trialling a vaccine for the Mers coronavirus. That’s what helped her team create the Oxford vaccine so quickly - she realised they could use a similar approach.

Read more about Sarah’s work on the
Jenner Institute website.

When is International Women's Day?

International Women’s Day is celebrated on the 8th of March every year.

What’s the history of International Women's Day?

The first Women’s Day was held on February 28th 1909 in New York City, organised by the Socialist Party of America. In the decades following, dedicated days for women had been celebrated by countries around the world, mainly by those with socialist governments. But it wasn’t until 1975 that an international day for women was recognised by the United Nations.

What are some inspiring International Women's Day quotes?

These are some of our favourite quotes from strong women we admire:

“We realize the importance of our voice when we are silenced.” – Malala Yousafzai

“A strong woman looks a challenge in the eye and gives it a wink.” – Gina Carey

“Nothing can dim the light which shines from within.” – Maya Angelou

What’s the history of
International Women's Day?

The first Women’s Day was held on February 28th 1909 in New York City, organised by the Socialist Party of America. In the decades following, dedicated days for women had been celebrated by countries around the world, mainly by those with socialist governments. But it wasn’t until
1975 that an international day for women was recognised by the United Nations.

What are some inspiring International Women's Day quotes?

These are some of our favourite quotes from strong women we admire:

“We realize the importance of our voice
when we are silenced.” – Malala Yousafzai

“A strong woman looks a challenge in the eye
and gives it a wink.” – Gina Carey

“Nothing can dim the light which shines
from within.” – Maya Angelou

When is International Women's Day?

International Women’s Day is celebrated
on the 8th of March every year.

What’s the history
of International Women's Day?

The first Women’s Day was held on February 28th 1909 in New York City, organised by the Socialist Party of America. In the decades following, dedicated days for women had been celebrated by countries around the world, mainly by those with socialist governments. But it wasn’t until 1975 that an international day for women was recognised by the United Nations.

What are some inspiring International Women's Day quotes?

These are some of our favourite quotes
from strong women we admire:

“We realize the importance
of our voice when we are
silenced.” – Malala Yousafzai

“A strong woman looks a
challenge in the eye and
gives it a wink.” – Gina Carey

“Nothing can dim the light
which shines from within.”
– Maya Angelou

Want to celebrate an inspiring woman in your own life? Whether you want to remind an exhausted new mum with sore boobs and no time to wash her hair she’s doing great. Celebrate a friend’s new job after weeks of applications and interviews. Or someone who’s working hard to make a change happen. We’ll always be here with our day-brightening blooms to help keep them going.

8 inspiring women we should all know about

8 inspiring women we should all know about

8 inspiring women we should all know about

Amika George, Founder of the #FreePeriods campaign

Amika George, Founder of the #FreePeriods campaign

Rochelle Bugg, author and blogger who supports young carers

Rochelle Bugg, author and blogger who supports young carers

Phyllis Opoku-Gyimah, Co-founder of UK Black Pride

Phyllis Opoku-Gyimah, Co-founder of UK Black Pride

Sinéad Burke, Author and disability advocate

Sinéad Burke, Author and disability advocate

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Bestselling author

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Bestselling author

Gina Martin, Political activist and author

Gina Martin, Political activist and author

Naana Otoo-Oyortey MBE, Executive Director of FORWARD

Naana Otoo-Oyortey MBE, Executive Director of FORWARD

Professor Sarah Gilbert, The woman behind the Oxford vaccine

Professor Sarah Gilbert, The woman behind the Oxford vaccine

When is International Women's Day?

What’s the history of International Women's Day?

What are some inspiring International Women's Day quotes?

“We realize the importance of our voice when we are silenced.” – Malala Yousafzai

“A strong woman looks a challenge in the eye and gives it a wink.” – Gina Carey

“Nothing can dim the light which shines from within.” – Maya Angelou

What’s the history of International Women's Day?

What are some inspiring International Women's Day quotes?

“We realize the importance of our voice when we are silenced.” – Malala Yousafzai

“A strong woman looks a challenge in the eye and gives it a wink.” – Gina Carey

“Nothing can dim the light which shines from within.” – Maya Angelou

When is International Women's Day?

What’s the history of International Women's Day?

What are some inspiring International Women's Day quotes?

“We realize the importance of our voice when we are silenced.” – Malala Yousafzai

“A strong woman looks a challenge in the eye and gives it a wink.” – Gina Carey

“Nothing can dim the light which shines from within.” – Maya Angelou

8 inspiring women we
should all know about

8 inspiring women we should all
know about

Amika George, Founder of
the #FreePeriods campaign

Amika George,
Founder of the #FreePeriods campaign

Rochelle Bugg, author and blogger
who supports young carers

Rochelle Bugg,
author and blogger
who supports
young carers

Phyllis Opoku-Gyimah,
Co-founder of UK Black Pride

Phyllis
Opoku-Gyimah,
Co-founder of UK
Black Pride

Sinéad Burke, Author
and disability advocate

Sinéad Burke,
Author and
disability advocate

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie,
Bestselling author

Chimamanda
Ngozi Adichie, Bestselling author

Gina Martin, Political
activist and author

Gina Martin, Political
activist and author

Naana Otoo-Oyortey MBE,
Executive Director of FORWARD

Naana
Otoo-Oyortey MBE, Executive Director
of FORWARD

Professor Sarah Gilbert, The woman
behind the Oxford vaccine

Professor Sarah Gilbert, The woman behind
the Oxford vaccine

What’s the history of
International Women's Day?

“We realize the importance of our voice
when we are silenced.” – Malala Yousafzai

“A strong woman looks a challenge in the eye
and gives it a wink.” – Gina Carey

“Nothing can dim the light which shines
from within.” – Maya Angelou

What’s the history
of International Women's Day?

“We realize the importance
of our voice when we are
silenced.” – Malala Yousafzai

“A strong woman looks a
challenge in the eye and
gives it a wink.” – Gina Carey

“Nothing can dim the light
which shines from within.”
– Maya Angelou