When you hear of International Women’s Day, who are the women that immediately spring to mind? A friend, a relative, a woman at work or in the news? Perhaps several women occupy your thoughts, women that are worthy of your special recognition, quiet reflection, and profound admiration.
One incredible woman I will always remember with fondness and immense gratitude is my Aunty Mary. She was a kind, reserved and generous soul who brought up my dad when, at the age of four, his mum died suddenly, leaving this little human and his father, utterly bereft and bewildered. Although she had only turned seventeen when her mum died, Aunty Mary threw herself into the de facto role of mum. She abandoned any notion of a career for ten years, even turning her back on a social life and romance. Looking after her brother and dad, both rudderless, trying to make sense of a new order, became her life. She was such a wonderful ‘mum’ to my dad that every Mother’s day he would turn up at her pristine little bungalow with the most beautiful bunch of flowers and a box of Thorntons chocolates, her abiding favourites.
When my mum and dad parted company in the most acrimonious of ways, Aunty Mary became once again a port in the storm, this time for me, a struggling wayfarer, a young woman lost and anxious. Any time I felt close to going under and believe me, in my early teens and twenties, there were many, she was always there with wise words, a warm bed, and a linked arm.
I also think of my own Mum and how, when my little brother, Drew, became worryingly unwell with food allergies, she researched everything under the sun to find the foods he was potentially allergic to, seeking out patch testing on skin, which back in the 70s was far from mainstream. There was no internet and as a single parent, she was skint most weeks. Despite all the obstacles routinely placed in her way, she finally got to the root of my brother’s allergies and painstakingly curated his new and radically altered diet. The doctor had grimly declared the only hope for my brother lay in strong steroids, to reduce the routine swelling of his lips and mouth. I remember mum declaring there would be no steroids, that she would fathom what was triggering his extreme reactions. In the end, his new diet worked a treat. He is now a strapping 6-foot fellow blessed with incredibly good health. For all her faults and foibles, my mother was a remarkable woman, ahead of her time in so many ways.
I also think of a close friend I lost to Cystic Fibrosis. I dedicated my fifth book, The Boutique, to Michelle. She was the funniest, sweetest, and most courageous woman I have ever met, always thinking of others and even when she knew the final chapter was imminent, she was still keen to talk to me about my life and how I was faring.
Women in the headlines?
Now you would expect me to name some stunningly successful woman that have made their millions wouldn’t you, but none spring to mind; no Dragons from the Den or titans of industry for me. However, one woman I have huge respect for is, Lucy Pitts, the publisher of this fine brand, Sussex Exclusive. I have worked with Lucy for several months as her business mentor and commissioning editor, building the business pages and the brand, witnessing firsthand her extraordinary talent, tenacity, and commitment to creating something truly remarkable. What started out as Lucy’s love of writing, walking and exploration has turned into a fully-fledged multimillion media brand, with growing success based on the sublime content she is renowned for and the exacting, but fair standards she sets for every contributor, every columnist.
In the business community I inhabit – which in recent months has extended across the UK, there are many women I admire for their talent, their good humour, and their honesty. They in turn enable me to be joyful, fearless, and fearful – sometimes a heady mix of all three in one day! Too many to list here and I would not want to miss one out.
Five interviews with five remarkable women
To celebrate International Women’s Day, I took it upon myself to interview five women I respect and like; women that are talented, relatable, and interesting, with diverse careers worth digging deeper into. In no order they are Laura Osman, the funniest and most talented woman from Liverpool, now living with her husband and children in Horsham. A qualified coach, Laura has such a profound wisdom and kindness, that she can scoop you up in seconds and set you straight with a smile on your face and renewed confidence in your abilities. I am sure you will be familiar with the name of Michelle Betts, another woman whose company I seek out and whose talent I admire and respect. She has a dry sense of humour and is a brilliant writer of fiction books. Sophie Ward is a photographer, that quite simply in my estimation, is the best. She too is a warm and wonderful woman, self-effacing and humble in the face of such extraordinary talent. I have known Rachael Hale for many years, but it was only when she became closer to Sussex Exclusive that I really could see her talent as a writer, in full flow. Finally, a woman I met for all of twenty minutes at a recent networking event. Lauren Dean had a real impact on me with her back story, her enthusiasm for life and how she has managed to shape her extraordinary talent and experience into a successful career built on the importance of getting a good night’s sleep.
I hope you enjoy these interviews as much as I enjoyed talking to these wonderful women. If you would like to be considered for an interview, please get in touch.
And if you like this post about International Women’s Day, you may also like:
Interesting Sussex Women: Michelle Betts a Woman of Sizzle & Substance
