Celebrating #IWD2024
International Women's Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women's equality.
IWD has occurred for well over a century, with the first IWD gathering in 1911 supported by over a million people. Today, IWD belongs to all groups collectively everywhere. IWD is not country, group or organization specific.. We wanted to celebrate IWD by highlighting the amazing women involved in our work, in the hope that they will inspire you as much as they inspire us on a daily basis.
Elizabeth Chatalas Benoit
Prospero World
Where did you grow up?
In a teeny tiny town on the north coast of Oregon, with the beach as my playground.
Who was your heroine when you were growing up and why?
Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett, Mary Tyler Moore…funny, sassy and smart, with moxie – a diet of TV in the 70s will have that influence.
What did you want to do when you were little?
Originally, I wanted to be a racing jockey after spending early mornings on the backstretch with my dad, but then I kept growing, and growing. I changed tack, wanting to become a veterinarian but then refined that idea to having a menagerie of animals and living on a ranch by the sea. It’s still the dream.
What is the strangest job you have ever had?
Well, I still am baffled that at 11 years old, people would actually pay me to babysit their children.
[Growing up in a seaside town meant lots of retail and waitressing jobs (which everyone should do, if you want to learn true multitasking and diplomatic skills). One retail job was at an artisanal craft store that sold handmade quilts and macrame items – it was called Knotty but Nice. We had to field numerous odd phone inquiries.]
What would you like to be doing when you are 80?
Horse trekking across the Mongolian steppes with Sita!
How do you motivate yourself when things are not going as well as they might?
Stepping onto the yoga mat never fails to recalibrate my mood, help me remember who I am, and put things into perspective.
What advice would you give to your 16-year old self if you could talk to her now?
I still heed my mom’s advice to my 16 year old self – “Trust your gut.”
(She also would say, “Buy it when you see it, and use it when you can.” (Pertaining to toilets when you are out and about.)
If you had the power to change one thing in the world today, what would that be?
I am still haunted after having watched The Social Dilemma documentary. I would magically make everyone digitally literate – thoughtful consumers and producers of content who are intentional and acutely aware of where they are allocating their attention.
Can we shift our attention economy to a kindness economy?
Jacqueline de Chollet
Founder Veerni
Where did you grow up?
I was born in Paris in 1938 and lived under German occupation till August 1941 when my parents and baby sister managed to escape to Switzerland. I lived during the rest of the war in Fribourg Switzerland, then up to the age of 17 when I went to the French lycée in Madrid to finish my studies.
Who was your heroine when you were growing up and why?
My heroine was Eleanor of Aquitaine because she was an indomitable woman and introduced poetry to Europe. She was an early female activist!
What did you want to do when you were little?
I wanted to be save the world
What is the strangest job you have ever had?
Entertaining the 3 Presidents of the Baltic States after the fall of the USSR on their first official visit to the USA. We took them sailing – as they were all sailors - on a my husband’s beautiful yacht down the Hudson River.
What would you like to be doing when you are 80?
Down dog in yoga (and I am still doing it!)
How do you motivate yourself when things are not going as well as they might?
I drink coffee, and resist the cake I would feel like eating
What advice would you give to your 16 year old self if you could talk to her now?
Don’t worry too much about popularity and stay able shrug thing off negative comments.
If you had the power to change one thing in the world today, what would that be?
Pray for peace in the world – peace between all people and nations.
Sophie Fauchier
Trustee Veerni
Where did you grow up?
In Paris, spending weekends and most holidays in my childhood house in Normandy where I have the best memories.
Who was your heroine when you were growing up and why?
I have always been fascinated by tragic destiny, an attraction I couldn't understand at the time. As a great movies fan, I loved at a young age Marylin Monroe (I knew all her songs by heart and was dressing up in my bedroom performing in front of my mirror!), then Romy Schneider. Much later, it was Sally Man, a photographer who has created an introspective imagery based on place, the past, family and death. All these women managed to visually translate the things I felt related to.
What did you want to do when you were little?
Write novels, make films, and listen to people. Being a late child with no siblings at home, I felt a bit lonely. So, I was always making up stories, writing novels and lots of poetry.
What is the strangest job you have ever had?
Always being creative, I would say the strangest idea I had was earning pocket money selling my ideas to my friends at school so they could make gift crafts to their parents… I was amazed by their lack of creativity. The nuns were not happy!
What would you like to be doing when you are 80?
Still travelling and taking photographs across the globe.
How do you motivate yourself when things are not going as well as they might?
Yoga and breathing help me to put things in perspective. And analysing is something I strongly believe in. Trust your gut.
What advice would you give to your 16-year-old self if you could talk to her now?
Explore beyond your limits, open new doors even if you are afraid. Trust yourself.
If you had the power to change one thing in the world today, what would that be?
No more violence in all its forms.
Where did you grow up?
Gloucestershire in a very small cotswold village which I considered to be in the middle of nowhere and very boring.
Who was your heroine when you were growing up and why?
Dolly Parton - not an obvious role model at first sight but that's what I love about her. Never judge a book! She's smart, an incredible businesswoman, philanthropist and a feminist icon (although she certainly wouldn't call herself that)
What did you want to do when you were little?
I was desperate to be an actress which was part of the reason I studied in Edinburgh so I could join the Bedlam Theatre company
What is the strangest job you have ever had?
Crumbler - in the apple crumble section of a pie factory my job was to remove all the crumbs from the edge of the pie trays. It was in the refrigerated section so it was freezing. I was however grateful not to be where they were cooking the pies which was more like an incinerator.
What would you like to be doing when you are 80? Still wild swimming
How do you motivate yourself when things are not going as well as they might?
Think how it could probably be worse and try to find the positives, put it down to experience, learn from it and move on.
What advice would you give to your 16 year old self if you could talk to her now?
Don't worry about what others think, go for what you really want to do and the rest will follow. And Be Kind!
If you had the power to change one thing in the world today, what would that be?
Gender Inequality
Elisabeth Kendall,
Chairman Mahra Youth Unity Association
Where did you grow up?
A small town called Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire. The only famous thing about it is its model village which is like a giant train-set.
Who was your heroine when you were growing up and why?
Boudica, a Celtic queen who led a tribal uprising against the expanding Roman Empire in the first century. She didn’t just sit around moaning about the Romans, but got up and did something. Actually, she failed but that’s not the point.
What did you want to do when you were little?
An archaeologist (until I went on a dig and had to spend a week scraping mud off bits of stone whilst being pelted by rain at Hadrian’s Wall - that killed the dream)
What is the strangest job you have ever had?
Judging the grand final of a cocktail-making competition for a major drinks company in Istanbul. I had to sip cocktails for 5 hours.
What would you like to be doing when you are 80?
Same as now, only faster.
How do you motivate yourself when things are not going as well as they might?
I focus on two thoughts: (1) In a week’s time, things are bound to look better (2) Thank goodness this is happening to me and not to someone I love
What advice would you give to your 16 year old self if you could talk to her now?
Worry less about what other people think. Follow your dreams, but take the time to think about where they might lead. Make lists.
If you had the power to change one thing in the world today, what would that be?
Inequality of opportunity
Anna-Louisa Psarras
Prospero World
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in beautiful Corfu Town (my father was Corfiot). When I was 7, my father died so we moved to magical Gloucestershire so that we could be near my mother's family (she is Welsh).
Who was your heroine when you were growing up and why?
Bouboulina Laskarina, a Greek naval commander, heroine of the Greek War of Independence and the first female admiral of the Imperial Russian navy. She was feisty, brave and unstoppable. Thinking of her still send chills up my spine. Unfortunately, having survived the War of Independence, she was shot following a family feud.
And also Mrs Annis, who was the Headmistress of my Primary School. She was amazing. She had beautiful white hair that she wore in a bun, and not only did she and her team teach me how to read and write English in a term, but she also taught me how to write cheques (though that later got me into trouble at university!)
What did you want to do when you were little?
I wanted to be an Astronaut. Unfortunately my aptitude for Physics, or lack thereof, meant i needed to content myself with exploring our amazing planet, rather than a galaxy far far away. But it didnt stop me sitting in cardboard boxes and pretending it was a space ship, or plastering tin foil all over my bedroom walls. I still have a fascination with the stars.
What is the strangest job you have ever had?
There have been many! From packing dandellion coffee in a factory, to being a historic room guide from the age of 14, to working in a hospital kitchen, being a make up girl, throwing divining bones with a Zimbabwean Shaman, to doing UV facepaints at trance parties. I don't think any of them were strange so to speak, but they all gave me a different perspective.
What would you like to be doing when you are 80?
Spending time in my homemade observatory, watching the stars through a telescope and enjoying cocktails. And hopefully adventurous grandchildren (maybe one of them will be an astronaut!)
How do you motivate yourself when things are not going as well as they might?
I try to remember that every challenge is an opportunity to learn, and an opportunity to choose who i want to be, and how i want to respond to any given situation. Some of my most important lessons have been learned from the most challenging situations.
What advice would you give to your 16-year old self if you could talk to her now?
Follow your instinct. Always. Trust in yourself. Be loyal. Behave with integrity in all things. Don't worry about "following the crowd" (often they are sheep and you are not).
If you had the power to change one thing in the world today, what would that be?
I wish i could sprinkle magic empathy dust. I think no matter what the challenge is-war, hunger, conservation-if people have the ability to empathise, they would be more capable of showing kindness to others and the world would be a better place for it.
Vinita Saraf
Founder and Managing Trustee, Ek Tara
Where did you grow up?
Kolkata the City of Joy, a city with a pulsating population of culture and art, a city with crime, poverty and 15 million people.. I grew up with extremely progressive parents who inspite of a conservative family around encouraged me to do what I want and speak up.
Who was your heroine and why?
To be honest I never had any one role model.. I adored my History teacher who taught with passion and was an incredibly strong woman. I emulated my older sister who was very cool yet very intelligent. I looked up to my mother who was bringing up 4 daughters in a society which disrespected women who did not have sons.
My heroine was Frida from Abba and I knew the lyrics of almost every song she sang (though I was a pathetic singer). I think I draw from all the strong women who I have come across and continue to meet everyday and each one of them inspire me in a myriad ways.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted a finger in every pie.. My dreams kept changing as I was growing up: at one time an astronaut and again an archaeologist. At one time a politician and another time a squash player. I dreamt of being a Race Car Driver for the longest time although I could not even drive a car properly... Eventually I landed up doing all those things that I had never thought about.
What is the strangest job you ever had?
I was lucky to have done a variety of odd jobs as I grew up which enriched me with a varied perspective - from selling discount clothing to selling shoes in a shoe shop. I have helped others in pitching tents, carrying buckets of water and lighting fires in Camps. I was a Jack of all and Master of none, so I was always agreeable to helping anyone with whatever they wanted to do, regardless of how well I could do that.
What would you like to do when you are 80?
I would like to be healthy enough to keep working at Ek Tara. I would like to track the progress of my young girls at EkTara and after 20 years watch them educated and in good jobs taking care and being the strength of their families.
I would love to travel the world with my Grand children ( who are not yet born) and tell them stories about my travels and adventures.
How do you motivate yourself when things are not going as well as they might?
I am an optimist and always believe that bad times will pass. I tell myself to find an opportunity in every circumstance and to learn from it.
What advice would you give to your 16 year old self if you could talk to her now?
Work towards relationships, be empathetic and look for Peace - opportunities, achievements and successes will follow.
If you had the power to change one thing in the world today, what would that be?
I would want to change the way girls are able to access opportunities in life and have a fair chance to make her own choices. I want every girl who has been conditioned to think she is inferior and cannot make it, to really start believing in themselves and standing up for themselves. Education is the only way to ensure girls have this power and ability and I would like to bring in the change that facilitates this.
Sita Schutt
Prospero World
Where did you grow up?
In a little French village on the border of Switzerland with a view of the Alps and the Jura mountains.
Who was your heroine when you were growing up and why?
I loved Astrid Lingren’s ‘Pippi Longstocking’. I wanted to be as strong as her, live in a house with a horse and a monkey. I admired her extraordinary clothes, her hair, her free spirit and her courage.
What did you want to do when you were little?
I wanted to be a writer. My first novella was called 'Madeira the Gypsy Girl' (written when I was 10) in a blue exercise book. Mostly involved sleeping in olive trees and eating lunch.
What is the strangest job you have ever had?
Being a model for a discount clothes racket, involved two dodgy men who ran it from a van. I had to model in community halls in the farthest reaches of South East London and then on the way home would listen to gangster stories told by the ‘men’ who ran it. I took notes.
What would you like to be doing when you are 80?
Definitely dancing. If my mother is anything to go by, I would also like to be playing killer tennis, like she does. I still have some time to improve.
How do you motivate yourself when things are not going as well as they might?
I create a rigorous and unforgiving schedule of things to do as I believe that it is in the doing that you can move yourself through the slough of despond. In the words of the song: ‘Pick myself up, dust myself off and start all over again.’
What advice would you give to your 16 year old self if you could talk to her now?
Stand up for yourself, work hard and don’t take No for an answer.
If you had the power to change one thing in the world today, what would that be?
Devise a magical formula that would be able to reverse all chemically/man- made things so they could biodegrade - over time, obviously - don’t want buildings to disintegrate while we are still living in them.
Agata Sivokhin
Prospero World
Where did you grow up?
My family travelled a lot when I was little. I was born in Uzbekistan, then spent early years in Hungary and then we moved to Belarus.
Who was your heroine when you were growing up and why?
My heroines were Ballroom and Latin dance champions. I was training and competing all my childhood and did not have time for anything else. I was fascinated with the dance world.
What did you want to do when you were little?
I wanted to be a dance champion when I was little and then I wanted to be a sport coach as I recognised how difficult it can be mentally to compete and to maintain good relationship with your partner (in couple dancing it is a major challenge).
What is the strangest job you have ever had?
As a wedding dance choreographer I was working with a groom who asked me to pretend I was his bride and we had the whole course of lessons and learned their First dance. The bride never showed up and I have no idea how he was dancing the routine with her as she didn't know her part.
What would you like to be doing when you are 80?
I think I would like to slow down. Learn the names of many types of different flowers and enjoy a daily 5pm cocktail and a pleasant talk with a neighbour.
How do you motivate yourself when things are not going as well as they might?
I focus on my breath, reminding myself that this too will pass. I also focus on finding the solutions and research the problem which puts my mind at rest.
What advice would you give to your 16 year old self if you could talk to her now?
Learn to choose what is right for you regardless of what others do or say. Peer pressure can be hard to resist when you are young, but you must learn to do it.
If you had the power to change one thing in the world today, what would that be?
Cure human greed.
Where did you grow up?
Switzerland & Traveling
Who was your heroine when you were growing up and why?
Dr. Angela Yvonne Davis; a woman dedicated to racial and gender equality
What did you want to do when you were little?
Pilot, Actor, Painter
What is the strangest job you have ever had?
Proofreading/translation of car manuals and marriage licences
What would you like to be doing when you are 80?
Living in a peace village, meditating a lot
How do you motivate yourself when things are not going as well as they might?
Yoga & Meditation Practice
What advice would you give to your 16 year old self if you could talk to her now?
Follow your heart
If you had the power to change one thing in the world today, what would that be?
Stop all forms violence & prohibit arms sales