Women Who Inspire Us

Sunday 8th March is International Women's Day and all across the world people will be celebrating the special women who inspire them. From raising awareness for causes to appreciating the women they admire, this is a day for everyone, not just women, to celebrate.

As a mostly female team, we believe in supporting our fellow women. We thought on this special day we would share with the world, the women we admire and why we find them so inspirational.

Helena's inspiration

Helena's female inspiration is Greta Thunberg, "As a person who is passionate about the environment, Greta Thunberg is the woman that has been inspiring me recently. She is so passionate when she speaks and her speeches really drive home the importance of us all taking action now. I also admire how she is so young, but still stands up to politicians like Trump and challenges people on their behaviour. She deals with so much criticism and despite her young age, and seems to take it in her stride. It must be difficult to be in the public eye and be criticised while also having mental health issues - yet she still managed to start a global movement at the age of 15!"

Ashley's inspiration

Ashley's biggest female inspiration is her mum. "My mum is my biggest inspiration. She's always been there to support me when I've needed advice on life. She has the patience of a saint to listen to my woes and is always ready with a cup of tea and a biscuit to cheer me up when the world outside can see tough. Not only is she a mother but she's a fundraiser for causes dear to her heart. She's also completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks, three times over to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. She's the most strong-willed, kind and compassionate women I've had the pleasure of meeting, and I'm so glad she's my mum. Plus she's Shropshire Petals top fan!"

Amanda's inspiration

Amanda's top woman is Mary Berry, "Mary Berry is one of the women I admire the most, the way she has always been so focused on looking after her family and being a good mum is very inspiring. I must have all of her cook books by now. She dealt with the heart-breaking death of her son in 1989, which really showed her strength and the way it has brought her and her family together is very moving. Throughout her career she has written over 75 books and starred in television shows for decades; however, she has always been so devoted to her family including her children and grandchildren alongside her success, this is what, to me, makes her such an inspiration."

Em's inspiration

Newest member of the Shropshire Petals team, Em has chosen Ellen DeGeneres as her female role model for International Women's Day, "For me, on International Women's Day, there is no one I would rather celebrate than Ellen DeGeneres! I love her personality, she always is so happy with a big smile on her face! I also really admire how she came out as a lesbian in 1997 - it was a very brave thing to do and not easy. I also like how career driven she is and she has branched out into so many areas, even creating her own lifestyle brand under the name ED!"

Sarah's inspiration

Sarah's inspiration comes from Nadia Hussain, "Everyone who knows me knows that I love to bake, that's why I have chosen Nadiya Hussain for my inspiration! After winning The Great British Bake Off, she has gone on to star in four different series and regularly write a column in The Times Magazine. I love the way she incorporates her own creative flare and energy into everything she does, baking is nothing without a sprinkle of passion! I also love the way that she never lets her nerves get the better of her and stays calm even when things get tense. She is always so confident and I really admire that.

Dawn's inspiration

Dawn's inspiration for International Women's Day is Julie Walters, "One of the women that I have always admired the most, is the lovely Brummie Julie Walters. Most people know Julie for her roles in theatre, cabaret and stand-up and she has won numerous awards and she has always been a firm TV favourite of mine. However, I also really admire the way that she stayed positive through her bowl cancer diagnosis, stated that when she heard the news she knew she had to 'hold on to the positives, which was that the surgeon said we can fix this'. She then underwent surgery to remove 30cm of bowl and then had chemo before getting the all clear. I really admire her discussing her diagnosis so openly and I am looking forward to seeing her in The Secret Garden next month!"

We hope you have all enjoyed hearing about the women that inspire us for International Women's Day and that you are all having a lovely day celebrating the important women in your lives! We'd love to hear who inspires you and if you're doing anything to celebrate International Women's Day.

Love As Always SP XX