Time to celebrate you

I am so inspired by women – aren’t you? 

The other day, I watched a Women’s Super League (WSL) football game with a male friend, directly after watching a men’s game. As I watched the women run around the same-size pitch and with seemingly the same stamina as their male counterparts, I commented to my friend how incredible that was. That despite all the things that go on within women’s bodies – pregnancy, menstruation and all kinds of hormonal changes and benign growths in the womb such as fibroids which can cause heavy periods, pain and other issues – they still have so much strength. 

On 8 March we celebrate International Women’s Day and, while in the Church the main celebration for women tends to fall on Mothering Sunday, a day for all women, regardless of relationship status or ability to conceive, feels more inclusive. 

The earliest reported Women’s Day event in the western world was held in 1909 on 28 February and organised by the Socialist Party of America at the suggestion of activist Theresa Malkiel. This event is considered the precursor to International Women’s Day, which is now celebrated widely around the world. In 2025, the UN theme for this special day is: “For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment”, with a rally to take action in three key areas:

Advance women’s and girls’ rights: Fight relentlessly for women’s and girls’ full range of human rights, challenging all forms of violence, discrimination, and exploitation.

Promote gender equality: Address systemic barriers, dismantle patriarchy, transform entrenched inequities, and elevate the voices of marginalized women and girls, including young people, to ensure inclusivity and empowerment.

Foster empowerment: Redefine power structures by ensuring inclusive access to education, employment, leadership, and decision-making spaces. Prioritize opportunities for young women and girls to lead and innovate.

Sound familiar? I don’t normally reference The Message, but its translation of James 1:26-27 feels so clear and relevant to the UN’s call:

“Anyone who sets himself up as ‘religious’ by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world.”

We cover so many stories in this magazine and on the podcast that expose the evil and injustice done towards women and girls, but, on the flip side, aren’t you encouraged to see how the Holy Spirit moves us, to work together and care for each other through the love that can only come from God through Christ Jesus? 

I am, and that’s why I’m pleased to share with you the stories of eight extraordinary women in widely different fields, working to make a positive impact in their workplaces and communities. I’m also pleased to introduce to you the excellent team of women who helped make the cover shoot happen [from L-R]-: Jessica Flavin, photographer; Kate Williams, assistant make-up artist; Amy Dyas, lead make-up artist; Sarah Ellen Brown, magazine designer; Bobbi Kumari, designer and wardrobe stylist and me! Read more from this incredibly empowering shoot on page 8 and please email me about the extraordinary women in your life at womanalive@premier.org.uk

I look forward to hearing from you!

Love and blessings,

Editor + Creative Director