To celebrate International Women’s Day, a team of inspirational women visited girls’ school Roedean in Brighton to tell pupils about their journey in their chosen profession.
This included Military Wives actress Emma Lowndes (also known for her roles in Downton Abbey and Call The Midwives); ‘Britain’s Greenest Mum’ and Extinction Rebellion UK spokeswoman Zion Lights; Kate Richardson-Walsh OBE – former captain of GB and England hockey team; and Hazel Reeves, women’s rights activist and sculptor of the Emmeline Pankhurst sculpture in Manchester.
Also amongst the speakers were forensic linguist Dr Ria Perkins and Lady Jill Ritblat, barrister and philanthropist.
This is the third year that Roedean has hosted a conference to celebrate the achievements of women around the world. The school was founded by three sisters in 1885 to prepare young women to enter the newly opened Cambridge colleges, Girton and Newnham.
Despite the changes in society, young women need exposure to inspiring and successful female role models to empower them and confirm their belief that they will make a difference in the world
Organiser Dr Ross Barrand explained: “The world is changing and women have more opportunities in society. However, they still very often face inequality and struggle for parity with men. Despite the changes in society, young women need exposure to inspiring and successful female role models to empower them and confirm their belief that they will make a difference in the world.
“To mark International Women’s Day 2020, Roedean is delighted to welcome a diverse group of speakers to this event, all women, who are addressing the students on a wide range of topics. To hear from speakers who are at the forefront of the fields is exciting, enlightening, and, most of all, empowering.
“Today in the 21st century, more girls go to school than ever before. Nevertheless, more than 62 million girls worldwide still do not receive an education because of their gender, and 15 million girls will never enter a classroom.
“We are incredibly fortunate to be educated in the UK, so it is our responsibility to grab whatever opportunities we have with both hands. Education is a right, but it is also a gift, which should be cherished.”
