International Women’s Day (IWD) is a time to celebrate the achievements of women, raise awareness of gender equality, and inspire the next generation to continue striving for progress. As parents, caregivers, and educators, we play a crucial role in shaping the attitudes and beliefs of young minds. This year, on March 8, 2025, we invite you to take a moment to reflect on the incredible women in your life and to share their stories with your children.

IWD is not just a day to acknowledge historical progress; it’s a reminder of the work still to be done. In a world where gender disparities persist, our role as parents and educators is to teach our children the importance of respect, inclusion, and empowerment. By instilling these values early on, we can help create a future where equality is not just an aspiration but a reality.

This year, let’s make a conscious effort to celebrate the women we know who are doing incredible things. Whether it’s a mother balancing work and family, a teacher shaping young minds, a doctor saving lives, or a community leader making a difference, every woman’s contribution deserves recognition.

At PEGS, we are so privileged to know, work alongside and champion both directly and from afar, some of the most incredible women who are doing equally incredible things for their communities and our society.  Every single one of these women are our leaders of today alongside encouraging and supporting our women leaders of the future.

To celebrate those we follow, our connections, their work, and the inspiration they provide, we want to dedicate this blog to them.

Sharon Livermore MBE, Founder of Domestic Abuse Education, Cambridgeshire

  https://domesticabuseeducation.co.uk/

Arlene Mensah, Senior Lead Survivor Voice at Standing Together

http://www.standingtogether.org.uk/

Chelsea Smith, Smart recovery leader, Pembrokeshire

https://smartrecovery.org.uk/about-smart-recovery-meetings/

Stacey Runciman, Female Future Society and VODAS, Ipswich

https://www.futurefemalesociety.org/

Ayse Adil, CEO Re-mind services and Family based solutions

https://familybasedsolutions.org.uk/home/about-us/

Sarah Taylor, survivor and advocate.

https://sarahtaylorcollaborationsstampingoutpostseparationabuse.co.uk/

Meena Kumari, Founder of Hope training

https://hopetraining.co.uk/about/

Rebecca Zerk, Dewis choice, Aberystwyth University

https://dewischoice.org.uk/

Kate Fejfer – Director of Shropshire European Organisation, Shropshire

https://www.facebook.com/polishcentreshrewsbury/?locale=en_GB

Dr Sally Olewe-Richards Founder of Women of Wisdom and Courage

https://womenofwisdomandcourage.com/

Lee Tempest Child to Parent Violence and Abuse (CPVA) Lead VisAble, New Zealand

https://www.visable.co.nz/

Lisa James, Director and Manager of Diverse Support, Pembrokeshire

https://www.diversesupportpembrokeshire.co.uk/

Emily Mitchell, CEO at Rise Strong

https://www.risestrong.org.uk/

Heidi Mavir, Advocate, Activist, CEO of EOTAS Matters

https://www.heidimavir.com/ 

 Steph Cross, Project manager, VC Gallery

https://thevcgallery.com/

Julie Lockley, Administration Officer, Brightstar Boxing, Shifnal, Shropshire

https://www.brightstarboxing.co.uk/

Charlotte Budd, survivor and ambassador for EIDA

https://www.eida.org.uk/resources/self-employed-and-surviving-domestic-abuse-charlotte-budd

Anj Handa, Founder of Inspiring Women Changemakers.

https://www.inspiringwomenchangemakers.co.uk/

Amanda Jones, CEO at Shropshire Supports Refugees, Shropshire

https://www.shropshiresupportsrefugees.org/our-team

Lindsay McGlone - Lindsay recognises and acknowledges that all genders, especially those who are marginalised and underrepresented face discrimination. Lindsay advocates for the LGBTQ+ and trans communities.

https://lindsaymcglone.co.uk/

Mia Gilles, Community Connector, PAVS, Pembrokeshire

https://www.pavs.org.uk/

Emma Harris and Andrea Williams, Cranstoun

https://cranstoun.org/

Jenna Blair, Jenna Blair Yoga, Shropshire

https://www.jennablairyoga.co.uk/

Zoe Brinn

https://zoebrinn.co.uk/

Our last mention is for the incredible Danielle Hurst, who sadly tragically passed away last year. Dani has been part of PEGS since our early days and a friend even longer to our Founding Director. Danielle was a survivor, an advocate and someone who always placed the voices of those who needed support at the centre of everything she did. Her passion, tenacity and determination were something we all benefited from. Our world here at PEGS is smaller (and quieter!) without Dani, but it wouldn’t be right to not celebrate her work and who she was as a woman. Our hearts and thoughts remain with Dani’s family, especially her two children.

A message from Michelle, PEGS Founding Director:

“Thank you for being the woman you are, for using your voice to help those in need, for being part of the change women need. Thank you for inspiring me, for including me in your world, for helping me grow and to be a better leader and woman. I am privileged and thankful to know you, to work alongside you, to celebrate your wins, to watch you grow and soar PEGS and I will always be one of your biggest cheerleaders.”



International Women’s Day is a powerful opportunity to inspire our children to be advocates for equality, to celebrate the women in their lives, and to dream of a world where every person—regardless of gender—has the chance to thrive. By taking small but meaningful actions, we can contribute to a future where our children and all future generations grow up in a more equitable world.

This March 8th, let’s not just acknowledge the achievements of women—let’s celebrate them, support them, and ensure that their stories continue to inspire generations to come.

Happy International Women’s Day 2025!