Celebrating West Berkshire women this International Women's Day
Women across the world are championing each other today (Wednesday) for International Women’s Day.
While the day seeks to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women, it also shines a light on ongoing issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women.
Women and girls from all corners of the world are fighting different battles on the road to equality but today they unite to recognise each other’s struggles and achievements.
In West Berkshire, Newburytoday is celebrating local women who are making a difference and doing what they love.
A number of women, from CEOs to athletes, have shared what International Women’s Day means to them.
Young farmer Eleanor Gilbert, better known online as Berkshire Farm Girl, said: “Women are a growing force in the British agricultural sector and I am proud to be able to say I produce food to feed people in this world.
“In some parts of the world women make up the majority of the farmers, whilst here in Britain we are still the minority.
“In some war torn countries women are turning to small scale farming to feed their families as their husbands are in conflict.
“I am very proud to farm here in Berkshire and showcase this across my Youtube channel. Connecting this also to fundraising for the Thames Valley air ambulance via my ‘Ellies Welly’.
“Wishing all female farmers a very happy international women’s day.”
Professional runner 22-year-old Izzy Fry is from Newbury and races distances from 1,500m to 10km.
She said: “I run for New Balance and compete for Team GB.
“International Women’s Day is a day to celebrate the achievements of women across all walks of life, in all corners of the world.”
Fundraising and impact coordinator Hannah Waugh said: “At Swings & Smiles we are supporting the growth of strong young women.
“Throughout our sessions and volunteering opportunities we see wonderful young women who are able to be themselves and grow in a supported environment.”
Newbury MP Laura Farris has been working on tackling violence against women and girls in Parliament and says she feels lucky to have her seat.
She has also made a video championing three West-Berkshire-based women especially for International Women’s Day.
“International Women’s Day is a celebration of women’s progress,” she said.
“Whether it’s in business, in their community, in sport or in public life the progress that women have made in the last generation is incredible.
“I feel lucky to have a seat in Parliament but never lose sight of the fact that far too women have had the chance to enter Parliament.
“I am only the 522nd ever against thousands and thousands of male politicians.”
She added: “This year I have made a video profiling three amazing women in West Berkshire – Page Fuller a champion jockey, Eleanor Gilbert a young farmer and social media star, and Kat Penn an award-winning businesswoman.
“But there are so many more fascinating women doing great things here.
“I want to wish all the women in West Berkshire a very happy International Women’s Day 2023.”
Kat Penn runs VoxFresh, a children’s pop singing group.
She said:“VoxFresh isn’t just about the music but about the personal development of the singers too.
“For me, International Women’s Day is symbolic of the changing world we live in that celebrates diversity and equality in all areas, giving us great promise and positivity for the next generation that I work with.”
Thatcham dance instructor Sonia Brown, of Dance with Sonia Brown, runs classes in ballet and tap to over 50s.
She said: “My classes are attended by adults wanting to express themselves, continue lifelong learning, and make friends.
“For us, International Women’s Day is a celebration of female empowerment; relishing the new opportunities available in the modern day, while championing further equality for the generations to come.”
Author and Asian-African mother of one Bharti Dhir is one of the Ugandan Asians that came to Greenham in 1972 after being expelled by Idi Amin.
She said: “International Women’s Day for me is not just about celebrating.
“It is also about reflecting the millions of sisters all over the globe, no matter their ages who are suffering the trauma from being born a female.
“Those women and girls who are disrespected and de-valued just because of their sex.”
She added: “Those who are denied the opportunities to be free to be whatever they want to be and to speak their truth in all areas of their lives.
“I believe International Women’s Day salutes their courage and resilience and is a day of remembering them in our hearts and souls.
“Those who are surviving and those who left too early at the hands of those who denied them the right to live.”
Breast cancer survivor Karen De Monte gets involved in various charity projects in and around Newbury.
In 2021 she, and a number of other women, produced a Calendar Girls calendar raising money for Newbury Cancer Care.
She said: “It's such a wonderful opportunity to highlight all those amazing women out there who make a real difference to the world around them.
“I am a breast cancer survivor who loves to spend time raising funds for cancer charities and supporting others on their own cancer journey.”
Lead volunteer for West Berkshire Action for Refugees Karen Reeves retired four years ago from paid work and now dedicates her time to helping those who have taken asylum in the district.
She said: “International Women’s Day makes me reflect on how much there is still to be done to ensure safety from violence and equal opportunities for women.
“Especially when I hear what the women asylum seekers have endured in their home countries.”
She added: “Progress is being made but painfully slowly. Keep on keeping on as they say.
“Happy Women’s Day to all the lovely, strong, resilient women I've the pleasure of knowing and working with.”
Rebecca Shaw is the head teacher of The Grange School, a new establishment for pupils with special educational needs.
She said: “For me, International Women’s Day is an opportunity to reflect on the progress that has already been made and to celebrate the achievements of women all across the globe.
“However, it is also an opportunity to continue to rally for equality and to ask that we all recognise women’s rights as human rights.”
Green Party group leader for West Berkshire, councillor Carolyne Culver said: “On International Women’s Day I reflect upon the ongoing struggles of women in this country and overseas.
“As a councillor, one of the challenges I reflect upon is the very low number of women involved in local politics.
“Councils decide how council tax payers’ money is spent, and how local services are provided, so it is essential that councils represent wider society.
“There is an absence of women, and in particular of young and working class women.
“We need to work harder to improve representation.”
Young people’s charity and support service Berkshire Youth CEO Sarah Emery said she would be celebrating with cake today and made reference to self-help book The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse.
“I think I might actually be the Mole from Charlie Mackesy's The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse,” she said.
"My favourite quote is ‘If at first you don't succeed have some cake’.
“Does it work? Every time.”
She added: “I do love cake but it is also a passion I have shared with all my children and I think it's fair to say my daughter is now a better baker than me.
“It also represents a time to come together, slow down and share our thoughts, reflections and views on things.
“So this International Women’s Day I will be proudly sharing cake, probably made by my daughter, with all my family, talking about some of the amazing women we know as well as those who are famous.
“Celebrating, with cake, how we have all benefited from their successes and our ambitions for the future.”
Founder of specialist exercise group MOVEability Debbie Medlin said: “My social enterprise exists to combat inequality and exclusion in fitness provisions.
“I love International Women's Day as it missions for inclusivity and to break down barriers- very much in line with those of MOVEability.”
Leader of West Berkshire Council Lynne Doherty said: “I am leader of West Berkshire Council and director of social care at SSAFA, the armed forces charity.
“What I actually do is represent my community in the decisions of local government and lead a team dedicated to helping serving personnel, veterans and their families.
“International Women’s Day is for me a time to celebrate all the achievements of women, and especially those who have fought to break down the barriers many of us have faced and give others equality of opportunity.”
Dementia co-ordinator for Age UK Berkshire Victoria Rowland leads the Dementia Friendly West Berkshire community group.
She said: “For me International Women’s Day is a day to celebrate the achievements of women around the world, and, to shine a light on what women are capable of in the hope of amplifying women’s voices for the next generation.
“I am incredibly lucky to work with an inspiring female CEO and colleagues at Age UK Berkshire.
“Through my role I meet countless women that show unrivalled courage on their journey with dementia and women who have had to adopt the role of a carer who consistently amaze me with the strength and resilience they show on a daily basis.
“I truly believe that women working together to support and uplift each other can achieve great things.”
Executive portfolio holder for adult social care and mental health champion at West Berkshire Council councillor Joanne Stewart said: “In my professional life I work for a small Berkshire-based charity as a community fundraiser and every day in all of those roles I see amazing strong women working hard to improve the community in which they live and work.
“I’m also the mother of a fiercely strong and independent young woman who is currently studying for her Masters in forensic psychology at University of Liverpool, as well as step-mum to another determined young woman training to be an ambulance driver."
The conservative councillor for Tilehurst and Birch Copse added: “International Women’s Day is an opportunity to recognise and thank every woman who is working hard, sometimes struggling with challenges, but pushing on no matter what and finding inner strength when it often feels impossible.
“One of my favourite quotes is ‘Be the woman who fixes another woman’s crown, without telling the world it was crooked’ and that’s what this day should be about, celebrating those ambitions and successes and supporting all women to succeed.”
Former Greenham Parish councillor Pragna Hay raises awareness of the Ugandan expulsion of Asians 50 years ago.
She said: "I work part-time at Falklands Surgery as a phlebotomist having spent most of life running my own businesses.
"For the past 18 months I have been raising awareness for the Asians expelled from Uganda and temporarily housed at Greenham common.
"Throughout history women have shaped the human experience, globally in so many ways and every year the contributions of women are recognised and celebrated on International Women’s Day, however should it be recognised for one day a year only?"
CEO and founder of Newbury Soup Kitchen Meryl Praill said:"I am a wife and mother of three amazing successful children.
"I am lucky to be able to strive and work with people in society who have nothing.
"I have the freedom to face challenges and fight for equality for others."
She added: "No is never an answer and I will always do my best to be a voice for others who have lost theirs.
"Women should stand together and celebrate how incredible we all are."
