International Women’s Day 2026: Celebrating women and the power of action
March 5, 2026 
Share This PostThis International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating the women across our community by sharing the actions and moments they are proud of.
In recognition of this year’s theme, “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL women and girls,” we invited clients, colleagues and partners to share one action they’ve taken that mattered to them.
Together, these reflections highlight the many different ways people choose to speak up, support others, and help move things forward in their own work and communities.
This International Women’s Day, I’m taking a moment to hold space for one action I take every single day: advocating for the blind and partially sighted community – a community that I’m so proud to be part of.
Before stepping into the world of comms, I didn’t know if it was accessible for blind people like me.
I see my role as an opportunity to make social media more accessible, one post at a time. Sometimes it might be adding alt text to the latest trending meme. The next it might be telling someone about the work we do because they’re new to sight loss.
Advocacy hasn’t always come naturally to me. The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to use my voice, because there’s power in speaking up.
Holly Tuke, Social Media Manager, RNIB
I love that I work in a team of talented women. We all lift each other up and support each other through all the highs and lows. Each and every one of them inspires me to become a better person and I feel so grateful to be surrounded by a team of strong women.
Sophie West, Social Media Officer (Communities), Samaritans
My mum has been a huge inspiration to me. She has always been incredibly independent and constantly learning new skills, like French and expanding her work skillset. Her passion is contagious, and it’s made me realise the importance of setting challenging goals for myself and striving to learn and grow. Her independence inspires me to be self-sufficient and chase my own dreams, no matter how difficult they may seem.
Kylie Petitt, Digital Engagement Lead, Dementia UK
It is so incredibly sad that such a mission of seeing an internet free from Child Sexual Abuse Material exists, but I am extremely proud of our work. I love that my work attracts people who genuinely care about children and want to make a difference in the world. I feel blessed that I have countless opportunities to meet and collaborate with exceptional humans, such as Heidi Kempster, COO of IWF for 13 years, Susie Hargreaves, CEO of IWF for 13 years, Emma Hardy our Communications director, Tamsin Mcnally our Hotline Manager, I could go on! There are so many incredible females at IWF who all share the same goal, to make the world a safer place for children and ensure they are protected.
Penny Tyler, Development Officer, Internet Watch Foundation
Women’s rights are human rights – and that includes the right to feel safe and respected online. Sadly, online abuse disproportionately targets women and girls, a problem that is only growing with advances in technology and AI.
At StrawberrySocial, we take pride in our daily work to combat harmful, abusive, and misogynistic content, upholding those rights in digital spaces. It’s crucial that we work together to build a digital world where everyone feels respected, protected, and free to express themselves without fear.
Rebecca Fitzgerald, CEO & Founder, StrawberrySocial
There are numerous competing crises in the world today, but working in education is transformative. Education is a foundational force that can drive real, large-scale change, whether that’s in gender equality, climate action, or simply creating a safer, fairer world for all. And we have the results to prove it.
Darika Ahrens, Director of Communications, Theirworld
I think working in the charity sector just gives you a really strong internal feeling of purpose and drive. You know that you’re making a positive impact on the world and that your role goes deeper than just a social media post or just a newsletter introduction.
Gabriella Poznansky, Senior Digital Content and Communications Officer, Directory of Social Change
Working in the charity sector is incredibly fulfilling. My colleagues are all hard-working, like-minded and just generally lovely people. Working in social media means I often hear from people first-hand about how they have been supported by the charity, which is so rewarding.
Laura Mason, Social Media Manager, Dementia UK
Remarkable women all. It’s a privilege to work alongside them and celebrate the many ways they speak up, step forward and support others every day.