NI Connections

International Women's Day, observed annually on March 8th, is a global celebration of the cultural, political, and socioeconomic achievements of women. The first International Women's Day was observed in 1911, supported by over a million people in Austria, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, and the United States. It was initially focused on women's suffrage and labour rights, but over the years, the scope broadened to include all aspects of women's empowerment and equality.

In Northern Ireland, this day takes on a special significance as women continue to be trailblazers across various sectors and play a vital role in shaping the future.

2024 Theme: Inspire Inclusion

This year's theme, "Inspire Inclusion," emphasises the importance of fostering inclusivity and creating opportunities for all women to thrive. Northern Ireland is home to numerous organisations and individuals dedicated to empowering women and advocating for equality.

At NI Connections we love celebrating and ‘bigging up’ our fantastic NI Diaspora women. We spoke to a few amazing women we have featured in the past and asked them what International Women’s Day means to them, who has inspired them and what their International Women’s Day message is on this celebratory day!
 

Andrea Haughian is Executive Vice President and Head of Americas at Invest NI, Northern Ireland’s Economic Development Agency. Originally from Lurgan she is now based in New York.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

For me, International Women’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women around the world and to reflect on the progress that still needs to be made. It serves as a powerful call to action to address gender inequality and actively contribute to the creation of a more inclusive, compassionate, and equitable society.

What woman / women have inspired you the most?

My mother and sister have always been my greatest role models. They are both hardworking, passionate, no-nonsense women, who get the job done.

If anyone listened to my recent ‘Best of Belfast’ podcast, they will have heard me mention Dame Joycelyn Bell Burnell, an astrophysicist from Lurgan who made one of the greatest astronomical discoveries of the 20th Century but whose work was not immediately recognized. The discovery of pulsars won the Nobel Prize in Physics – but the award went to Jocelyn’s male supervisor, rather than her. Not to be deterred, Joycelyn continued to excel in her field and in 2018, she was awarded the Special Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics, worth $3m. She donated all the money to fund women, under-represented ethnic minority and refugee students pursuing physics research, showcasing her commitment to promoting STEM and encouraging more women to embark on impactful scientific careers.

Last but certainly not least, I am fortunate to be surrounded by a team of strong women who inspire and energise me every day.

What is your International Women’s Day message?

Equality for women benefits us all. Let's celebrate womanhood, honour those who have championed the fight against gender discrimination, and take decisive action to embrace diversity, foster inclusion, and accelerate societal and economic progress for all women.

Sinead Welsh is an international safeguarding specialist having spent over 10 years working for the Australian Government, the then Department of Health & Human Services (now renamed the Department of Families, Fairness & Housing). Sinead worked alongside Victoria Police around the development of the Child Sexual Assault and Family Violence Investigation Teams. 

Sinead is an NHS Clinical Entrepreneur, as appointed by Professor Tony Young, Clinical Lead of the NHS England. Sinead set up her own Safeguarding Consultancy and Training company in 2018 specialising in child abuse, child protection and trauma. She is an associate consultant and trainer for the NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) and her mental health TEDx Talk features on the ted.com platform. Sinead is also co-author in the book 'Mental Wealth'

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

For me, International Women’s Day is about celebrating and recognising inspiring women from all across the globe who are making positive impact and change across their communities and/or industries. It is a dedicated day to specifically honour their commitment, strength, love and unwavering spirit. Let us celebrate the women of today, yesterday and tomorrow!

What woman / women have inspired you the most?

My mother, Frances Donnelly is an angel on earth and after having 5 biological children of her own she has fostered 7 children across the last 28 years. I celebrate and recognise my mother daily, but especially on International Women's Day.

A local woman who inspires me professionally and personally is Marcella Leonard.  A highly intelligent lady, a proud mother of two boys who set up her own Consultancy & Training company in specialised assessment and treatment in the fields of sexuality, sexual deviancy and sexual trauma. As Director of Leonard Concultanty Marcella works in New Zealand, Abu Dhabi, Australia, Gibraltar, Canada, UK and Ireland. Marcella was recently selected for a King's Birthday Honours MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) for services to Social Work Services in Northern Ireland and Internationally. I respect, admire and aspire to model Marcella's first class attributes of determination, integrity and empathy across my own professional specialist area of safeguarding. 

What is your International Women’s Day message?

W.I.N  

Want more (dream bigger) | Intentions (be intentional in everything that you do) | No Know when to say no in your personal and professional life.

Jane Shaw lives at and manages Elmfield Estate: a family-run wellness centre, retreat facility, educational institute and home of a monthly artisan market.

After living and working in London for almost 20 years, Jane moved back to Northern Ireland to help transform her childhood home — and breathtaking grounds — into a destination where individuals and businesses can come to explore the path to well-being.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

In the western world women have had to fight to be heard, to be valued, and to be given the rights they now enjoy. International Women’s Day is a day to recognise the hard work of all women who have gone before, upon whose shoulders we can stand and to whom we owe our freedom and growing presence in society. However, it is not only a day to celebrate women from a historical perspective but also to celebrate where we can go in the future. As a therapist and educator in the health field, I think it is important to find ways to continue to maximise our empowerment which I believe we can do by supporting each other. To my mind women have something different to offer than men and we should applaud our differences rather than trying to be the same.

What woman / women have inspired you the most?

Many women have inspired me over my lifetime, some within my family, my mother being an important one of them, and some in the public domain.

Of those in the public domain, Zainab Salbi is one who continues to inspire. She gave me the wise advice many years ago of rooting myself in my home country so that I could reach further and wider. As a young Iraqi woman in 1993, and a recent USA immigrant, Zainab set up Women for Women International, a charity working to support female survivors of war. Although no longer at the helm of this charity Zainab continues to inspire women across the globe through her humanitarian work and dedication to women’s rights and freedom. More recently she co-founded Daughters For Earth, a charity supporting women across the world to safeguard Mother Earth. Zainab brings qualities of deep listening, self-awareness, and vulnerability combined with great courage and tenacity to all she does. 

What is your International Women’s Day message?

We should celebrate the differences between men and women, as well as within our female tribe. We each bring to the world something unique, which deserves to be applauded and promoted. Try to be yourself when you can and support other women—collaborate to bring all your unique qualities together. And importantly, you don’t always have to shout loudly to be heard. Sometimes you can quietly make a big difference, especially when working with others.

Having been born in Belfast, and attended Queen's University Belfast, Maddie Hamill has focused her career on creating growth solutions for Fortune 500 and entrepreneurial businesses in Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), food, beverage and health and wellness categories.

Maddie Hamill started out her career as a research scientist in the Department of Agriculture in Northern Ireland. Her plan was to work for a few years before getting married, having kids and living in a house near her mum on the Cavehill Road in Belfast.

What ended up happening was a rollercoaster journey that included moving to Wales to work for a tobacco company, becoming the Vice President of Global Strategy at Coca-Cola and leading growth at Fortune 500 companies like Apple and Nestle — as well as high-potential companies like Dollar Shave Club, Fairlife Milk and most recently, EggLife Wraps.

Recently, her career has come full circle as she is using her science background to advise companies in the medical marijuana space.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

It's a day to  celebrate the contributions women make in all areas of life and focus on some of the achievements and progress that women are making. It is also a day to highlight the distance women still have to go to get equality, particularly in the workplace

What woman / women have inspired you the most?

My inspiration is Dolly Parton. Not only is she a successful entertainer, but she is a very astute business woman who has taken control of her career from the very beginning, challenging many of the rules and staying relevant in every decade. She has invested back into her poor rural home community raising the standard of education and creating many jobs with the programs she has put in place and the companies she has set up. In addition she has wonderful optimism, can laugh and doesn't take herself too seriously!

What is your International Women’s Day message?

When I became Vice President at The Coca-Cola Company, a friend gave me this quote and this is my message to women on International Women's Day...have courage to use your voice and speak up for the things you believe in.

‘Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate...our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, to be gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you NOT to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so others won't feel insecure around you. And as we let our light shine, we consciously give others permission to do the same. As we are liberated from fear, our presence automatically liberates others.'

International Women's Day serves as a powerful reminder of the immense strength, resilience, and achievements of women in Northern Ireland. By actively participating in celebrations, supporting initiatives, and fostering gender equality in our actions, we can all contribute to creating a more inclusive and equitable society for all.