We’re Celebrating International Women’s Day – come join us!

Celebrating International Women’s Day is a global event. International Women’s Day calls on people to continue campaigning for gender equality while celebrating women’s achievements and advancements. Observed since the early 1900s, it is now annually recognised on March 8. While 2017 may be one of our most inclusive, progressive era’s to date, there are still plenty of changes to be made. According to the UN, for example, nowhere in the world can women claim to have all the same rights and opportunities as men. Following a successful #BeBoldForChange campaign last year and #PledgeForParity in 2016, this year’s theme is #PressforProgress, motivating and uniting friends, colleagues and whole communities to think, act and be gender inclusive.

From Pressing For Progress in women’s sports to help actively promote women’s equality in sport, to challenging stereotypes and bias, you can show your support by taking a selfie with the #PressforProgress ‘hands out’ concept.

Celebrating International Women’s Day is easy – get involved

Get a group of friends, family or colleagues together and all put your hands out (i.e. pressing) to show your commitment to ‘pressing for progress’ and positive change for women. There’s lots of inspiring ‘Selfie Cards’ available to download, just hold one up in your picture and share your #PressforProgress on social media. We’ll see you there.

IWD2018 Press for Progress

Last year, we were celebrating the women who encapsulated #BeBoldForChange, read more about the women that really embodied that:

Michelle Obama
Michelle Obama embodies everything most of us would like to be: intelligent, determined, elegant and successful. And she does so without taking herself too seriously. She’s become one of the  21st century’s greatest role models. From her unforgettable speeches as FLOTUS to her tireless work for women and girls, she has inspired and empowered people worldwide. Not only has she been a firm black rights advocate (anyone remember her ‘Black Girls Rock!’ speech?), she also launched a number of national campaigns during her stint as First Lady, including Let’s Move to tackle childhood obesity and Reach Higher, a higher education initiative.

One of her most notable, perhaps, is the incredible Let Girls Learn initiative, which has made strides in the education of young women and girls, and continues to recognise and support adolescent girls facing multiple challenges in pursuing an education. A firm believer that women are capable of anything, Michelle puts education at the heart of success, encouraging girls to prioritise it and cherish it. ‘If I worried about who liked me and who thought was cute at your age, I wouldn’t be married to the President of the United States today,’ she once famously said. She’s graced the cover of Vogue three times, she’s sung her heart out in James Corden’s car, and she’s danced with 106-year-old Virginia McLaurin  – all with poise and humour that’s so very Michelle. We miss you already.

Gina Miller
An investment manager and philanthropist, Gina Miller is best known for spearheading the recent Brexit legal case, where she challenged whether the government could invoke Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty – starting the formal process of the UK leaving the EU – without seeking approval from Parliament. Basically, she said – or indeed, did – what many of us were thinking, and has since become a recognised name for her efforts. But Gina’s movement has been about more than just Brexit. ‘It is about any government, any prime minister, in the future being able to take away people’s rights without consulting Parliament,’ she said to the BBC. Despite dealing with excessive scrutiny into her private life (which, FYI, was completely irrelevant to her cause), and even rape threats, she has remained focused, professional and utterly inspirational in standing up for what she believes in. You go, gal.

Ellen DeGeneres
Talk-show host, comedian and voice of our favourite, forgetful fish, Ellen DeGeneres continues to be an inspiring woman to all. Never one to not say what she thinks, her most recent rant saw her comparing Trump’s immigration ban to the plight of Dory: ‘Even though Dory gets into America, she ends up separated from her family,’ she said. ‘But the other animals help Dory. Animals that don’t even need her. Animals that don’t even have anything in common with her. They help her even though they’re completely different colours, because that’s what you do when you see someone in need, you help them.’ It’s not the first time the personality used her platform positively: after coming out as homosexual in 1997, she became the first openly lesbian actress to play an openly lesbian character on television and has since become a leading voice for the LGBT community. She is also a special envoy for Global Aids Awareness and has previously helped raise funds to bring Transcendental Meditation to at-risk populations suffering from stress, depression and anxiety. In 2016, Ellen received the Presidential Medal of Freedom – and it’s safe to say the world wept with her. Keep making us laugh, cry and nod our heads in agreement please, Ellen!

Serena Williams
Never has a woman dominated a sport quite like Serena Williams. Just recently picked as the greatest female tennis player of the Open era by BBC Sport users, the 35-year-old has racked up an awe-inspiring 23 Grand Slam titles and has shaped the landscape of women’s tennis. Physically, she is the epitome of strong; mentally, she embodies determination. Both unquestionably inspiring qualities to women young and old all around the world. To reach such a decorated status (with such humility may we add) proves that not only is anything possible but that hard work really does pay off. Oh, and that we can be just as good as boys if we want to be. Serena, you are the definition of power.

Chrissy Teigen
American model Chrissy Teigen might live a life of luxury, but she’s one of the most real and down-to-earth celebs out there. Queen of sassy remarks, Chrissy – who is married to John Legend – has us cyber high fiving her all day, every day. After giving birth to a baby girl back in April last year, unlike other celebs, Chrissy did not shy away from the realities of pregnancy and motherhood, openly commenting on the unrealistic notion of ‘bouncing back’. ‘We have nutritionists, we have dietitians, we have trainers, we have our own schedules, we have nannies. We have people who make it possible for us to get back into shape,’ she said. ‘But nobody should feel like that’s normal, or like that’s realistic.’ More recently, Chrissy dealt with Twitter trolls in the best way possible (not a surprise: if you follow the star, you’ll know this is a regular occurrence). After speaking openly about her and John’s use of IVF to conceive their first child, and their plans to do so again with a second, one Twitter user rudely questioned: ‘Did you give it a minute to try naturally?’ Chrissy’s response? ‘Hi Linda, thanks for asking, you complete witch. I tried for about nine years. Anything else, let me know!’ Take a bow, Chrissy…

Why not check out The book that’ll make you sportier or these 10 reasons to do the Royal Parks Half Marathon for more inspiring ideas.