International Women's Day 2021
This International Women’s Day we’re shining a light on the women who make Lavender Hill what it is. From founder Isobel Ridley to businesswoman Liz Earle, we caught up with a selection of women we admire to talk IWD, what inspires them and what’s next for gender equality.
LIZ EARLE
Entrepreneur and founder of Liz Earle Wellbeing, Liz Earle has long been a supporter of Lavender Hill. A trailblazer in the world of skincare and publishing, she is no stranger to standing up for what she believes in.
Why do you think International Women’s Day is important?
It’s a chance to focus not only on those women in the UK who suffer disadvantage and discrimination but, crucially, our sisters around the globe who are subject to appalling levels of abuse and social injustice: lack of education, enforced marriages, FGM and more.
What challenges have you had to overcome?
Like so many women, the task of childcare [during the pandemic] and looking after the home falls largely on my shoulders, so these pressures - added to the extra stresses of keeping a business running during lockdown - have been tough. I am extremely thankful that the schools are, at last, re-opening.
How did you manage to overcome these challenges?
I have an amazing team (of mostly women!) at Liz Earle Wellbeing who have worked so hard to shift their own working patterns into their home lives. We have all been further encouraged by the incredible feedback from our wonderful ‘wellbeing community’ that we’ve grown even closer to over this last year.
What would you like to see happen in the next few years in relation to women’s rights and gender equality?
I’d love to see much more focus on women’s healthcare, especially for midlife women and beyond. There is far too little up-to-date GP training for perimenopause and menopause, for example. Many doctors simply haven’t a clue how to help half their patients - the female half - ALL of whom will have a menopause and be affected by lowering estrogen levels as they age. Much, much more needs to be done to address this lack of awareness, with properly funded help for older women.
GINNIE CHADWYCK-HEALEY
Presenter and style consultant Ginnie Chadwyck-Healey is a columnist for the Sunday Telegraph and ambassador for Smart Works. A mother of three - including two daughters - provides her with a unique perspective of IWD.
Why do you think International Women’s Day is important?
As a mother it makes me think forward to the kind of future I want my daughters to have, the women I want them to strive to become; kind, honest and courageous. International Women's Day is a way to teach my children that not all women around the world have the same freedoms, or the same opportunities. That there is a six year old and four year old in another part of the world living a very different life with fewer rights and far less access. It is a way for me to remind them of all that they do have and it is a meaningful topic of conversation for us to share as a family - in bite size ways of course (they are only young right now). It gets them thinking in new ways though and that for me is a great start.
What challenges have you had to overcome?
Shifting from a large company like British Vogue [where she worked for 12 years] to working for myself was a challenge. Of confidence, of creativity, of networking, of working as a one-man band, whilst being a mother and wife. It's been a huge challenge. But I'm fortunate to even have this kind of opportunity. Think of all the ambitious women who can only work up ideas in their head and aren't permitted to see them to fruition.
How did you manage to overcome these challenges?
Hard work, a newfound resilience, a lot of friends to lean on - and a lot of drives on my own talking to myself!
What - or who - inspires you?
Those who ask questions and lead through fair behaviour and example.
ISOBEL RIDLEY
Founder of Lavender Hill, Isobel Ridley has built the brand from the ground up. Overseeing everything from design to marketing, Isobel is challenging the traditional CEO stereotype.
Why do you think International Women’s Day is important?
I think it’s really important to recognise how much has been achieved over the past century in terms of women’s rights and equality. This IWD especially there is a lot to celebrate having just seen Kamala Harris sworn in as the first female Vice President of the United States, what an achievement and huge inspiration she is! IWD is a chance to reflect on the progress made by our parents and grandparents who got us this far and to channel this to inspire ourselves and our children so we can work to eradicate the huge amount of discrimination and inequality that sadly there still is in the world.
What challenges have you had to overcome?
With the uncertainties of Brexit and the pandemic the past year has been a real challenge for small businesses, especially as we just haven’t been able to plan with any certainty or know what the future will bring.
How did you manage to overcome these challenges?
In many respects times are still uncertain but I am lucky to have a small but amazing team around me who have worked around the clock to manufacture our clothing and facemasks and to ensure they are sent out to our lovely customers as quickly as possible. Instead of dwelling on the potential uncertainties and difficulties that may or may not come about I think it is important to have a positive attitude and concentrate on all the good things that have come from the last year; like all our amazing customers who bought a facemask which meant we could donate nearly 20,000 to the elderly and vulnerable. As a small and young company I’m really proud of this.
What - or who - inspires you?
I’m always inspired and driven by stories of people who have challenged the norm and stood up for the causes they believe in.
MARIA & CÁTIA
Mother and daughter duo Maria and Cátia own a textile factory in Portugal and were integral in helping us launch our face mask campaign in 2020. As businesswomen they are only too aware of the challenges their industry currently faces.
Why do you think International Women’s Day is important?
Because it celebrates equality, achievements and women’s contributions to the world.
What challenges have you had to overcome?
There were several challenges we had to overcome in the last few years and most of them are related to the crisis in the textile industry and how to secure jobs and a future for our company and workers. The pandemic is the most current challenge we are facing.
How did you manage to overcome these challenges?
We have a strong and focused team who know what needs to be done. With their support, the understanding of our customers and commitment of our suppliers it is possible to overcome these challenges. I truly believe our bonds will get stronger and the future will bring more positivity to everyone.
What - or who - inspires you?
There are several things, moments or persons who inspire us. It can be a simple word or act. We try to absorb those moments and reproduce them in our daily activities. If we had to choose I would say our family. For them we try to be better people and be better to others every day.
What would you like to see happen in the next few years in relation to women’s rights and gender equality?
There is still a lot to do. We see bad examples all the time and a big effort is needed from everyone to change mentalities. We would like to see every person treated the same way in terms of work, obligations, rights and opportunities.
Lavender Hill’s Customers
As Isobel mentions in her interview, the last year has been a particularly tough one not only for Lavender Hill but for countless small businesses. From the pandemic to Brexit, 2020 was anything but easy. Despite that, we were - and still are - overwhelmed by the support of our customers and followers. The success of our face mask campaign enabled us to donate nearly 20,000 reusable masks to the community-based charity Katherine Low Settlement in Battersea, London. In the midst of all of this, we know that the past 12 months have been challenging for you, too. From homeschooling to job insecurity, there has been plenty to come to terms with which is why, for this International Women’s Day, we’d just like to say thank you to you all.
