Movers & Shakers
International Women’s Day – Inspirational Women
On 8th March every year, the world celebrates International Women’s Day and honours the achievements of women whilst also advocating for social change.
This year at Mullis & Peake, we have chosen to celebrate this day by recognising and appreciating women who have inspired us. For some, their greatest role models are those right at home and for others it’s historical figures or famous leaders. This blog is a tribute to the incredible women who inspire us in ways both big and small.
“I really admire fellow blonde, Dolly Parton. As an amazing entertainer and musician, her talent has inspired artists for decades. But many people don’t know that her foundation has given millions to medical research, human services and disaster relief. She also supports literacy, setting up the Imagination Library, which has sent hundreds of millions of books to children around the world.”
“I would say that I’m quite hard to impress, when asked which public figure has been a role model to me, I could never honestly name one. My inspiration has come from my family, my mum has always someone that I looked up to and admired, she has instilled a solid work ethic in me, she always provided me with opportunities but then it was up to me to make my mark. She taught me about commitment and would never let me drop out or give up on things halfway through. I would say that I have taken a lot of the characteristic she instilled into me into my career, and they have helped me to get to where I am today.”
“My choice for International Women’s Day this year has to be Kamala Harris. In running for President of the United States she was subject to abuse around her gender and the fact that she had no biological children. This of course was in addition to the vitriol aimed at her as a result of her mixed heritage. She conducted her campaign with dignity, never sinking to the level of her opponents. Whilst she didn’t succeed in her bid to become President, she showed that women have a place at the very highest level in world politics.”
“Eleanor of Aquitaine is an inspiration because she defied the limitations placed on women in the Middle Ages, wielding power with intelligence and determination. As the wife of both Louis VII of France and Henry II of England, she influenced two of Europe’s greatest kingdoms, yet she was never content to simply be a consort. She ruled as regent, led a crusade, and championed the arts and courtly culture. Fiercely independent, she defied imprisonment, secured her sons’ thrones, and shaped the course of history, proving that ambition and resilience could overcome even the strictest societal constraints.”
“A key role model in Islam is Khadija, the wife of the Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) and the first Muslim woman. At a time where women in business were uncommon, she stood out as one of the wealthiest and most successful businesswomen at the time, being named, the ‘Princess of Quraysh’. Further to that, she also endured emotional hardship through her life, being widowed twice. Despite the struggles she faced, she still maintained her kind nature, honesty and integrity, and would generously give her earnings to widows, orphans and others in need. Khadija is an excellent example to all, that no matter the adversity and hardship a woman faces socially or personally, a woman’s willpower is immeasurable, and it allows them to withstand any difficulty and break through the ‘glass ceiling’.”
“I want to share the story of the most inspiring woman in my life—my mum. She is the eldest of four siblings and faced unimaginable hardship early on, losing both of her parents at a young age. Despite this, my mum remained strong, and in 2000, she and my dad made the brave decision to move to the UK with me and my sister. They were the first in their families to leave everything behind and start fresh in an entirely new country. When my mum arrived in the UK, she didn’t speak a word of English, but that didn’t stop her. She worked relentlessly in retail, securing a job that she has now held for 25 years. She dedicated her life to working hard so that my sister and I would have the opportunities she never had. Thanks to her sacrifices, we’ve been able to graduate and build successful careers of our own— me as a lawyer and my sister as a treasurer at Deutsche Bank.”
“My inspiration is my mum. Right from when I was very young, my mum has been an inspiration to me. She raised myself and my brothers as a single parent, working 3 jobs and caring for her sick parents. Nothing fell by the wayside and there was always time to lend an ear and show her support and guidance. Her life has been about caring for others and I admire that whatever the struggle, my mum remains positive. My mum has taught me everything I know about being a mum, caring for my family, working hard, always giving my best and above all, being kind and respectful to others. I still look to my mum often for her invaluable advice. For International Women’s Day, I want to celebrate the strongest woman I know, my mum. I would be a very different person if it weren’t for her.”
Deborah
“Tribute to my mother. The most inspiring woman I have known is my late mother, Madeline McCorry. It is fitting that her birthday always fell on International Women’s Day. This year she would have been 96 if she was still with us. She passed away at the age of 93 and eight months, two years ago. It was her resourcefulness, willingness to exploit opportunity for herself and others that stood her apart. She was capable of anything she put her mind to with only minimal formal education. She represented herself at a second-tier social security tribunal quoting to me that it made all the difference to her success that she wore her mink coat to the occasion. She had a love of culture and the arts and became an accomplished artist in her 70’s after becoming a widow. Above all her motivation in life came from her keen curiosity in people and faraway places, many of which she did not have the opportunity to visit. She is greatly missed on this International Women’s Day by her surviving sister and brother, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Given the opportunity she could have run a small country singlehandedly, the picture was taken just prior to her 89th birthday.”
“Aisha bint Abu Bakr, the wife of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), stands out as one of the most influential women in history. Despite living over 1,400 years ago in a patriarchal society, Aisha was a pioneer in her advocacy for women’s education and their active participation in the community. She was herself a scholar who memorised the Quran and had a deep understanding of Islamic teachings which she used to train future generation. She is arguably the greatest contributor to Islamic jurisprudence, establishing a legal framework that remains in place today. She broke many barriers, showing that women could be scholars, leaders, and influential figures. Her life serves as an inspiration for women to pursue knowledge and stand up for their rights. Her legacy is a testament to the power of education and her achievements and character make her a timeless role model.”
