Celebrating International Women's Day

This is slightly overdue, I know, but I wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who made The RSPCA’s International Women’s Day event on 08 March so memorable. 

So, in no particular order, let’s start with our animal-loving speakers…

To Louie Horne, mixing humour and seriousness to impart a story of dislocation, struggle, resilience and triumph. She had me laughing out loud, and pausing for reflection, sometimes in the same moment. To Alice Dearing OLY. Alice is an Olympian who has refused to accept or tolerate lazy stereotypes about ethnicity and physical limitations. Her drive has seen her create a Black Swimmer’s Association, and forge a variety of additional interests that complement, rather than detract from, her profession and her politicised identity. To Rhiane Fatinikun, who has translated the theory of wellbeing and the great outdoors, into the practice of real engagement; and in so doing created a growing, international outdoor community of black women who traverse, stretch and meld as one with the countryside. And to Joanna Hopkins, whose communications strategies to enable more confident interactions have empowered so many medical professionals both here and abroad (I found myself saying: well, why didn't I think of those well-crafted replies, when confronted with similar situations)!

To our hosts, Emma Slawinski and Fiona Evans whose mix of deft questioning, personal anecdotes and warm interactions helped the event run smoothly.

And finally to all who listened in, offered valuable questions and insights, and reinforced powerful messages about equity, fairness and consideration of others.