9 fierce females making a difference in Scotland
To celebrate International Women's Day, we're shining a spotlight on nine amazing women doing incredible things on home soil. Take it away, ladies...
Mollie Hughes
Edinburgh mountaineer and adventurer Mollie made countless headlines when she became the youngest woman to ski solo to South Pole. The 29-year-old took 58.5 days, pulling all her food in a sledge during her lone trek across Antarctica… we salute you Mollie!
Nicola Benedetti
Ayrshire-born Nicola is one of the most influential classical artists of our generation, recently winning a Grammy for Best Classical Instrumental Solo and becoming the first classical solo violinist to perform at the ceremony in a decade. You go, girl! Catch her at the Usher Hall Edinburgh on 12 March and City Halls Glasgow on 13 March.
Celia Hodson
The award-winning founder of Hey Girls, an East Lothian based social enterprise company tackling period poverty in the UK, launched with a buy-one-give-one business model. They’ve since donated 7.3 million period products to people in need and no doubt helped the case for free sanitary products now available across Scotland.
Kim Wilson
So you think muscles are just for men? Think again. Powerlifting coach Kim Wilson trains ‘Athena Army’ at Elysium Training in Leith and believes that combined with the right environment and support system, the sport has a positive effect on mind and body. See her train some seriously strong women in short film, We Are Athena, available now on Vimeo.
Christina Larkin
The Scottish-born entrepreneur created pop-up design company ‘chapter’ to help small, digital, femaleowned businesses get their products into the hands of real-life customers. The first ever chapter pop-up ‘Women Who Give A Sh*t’ launched in Shoreditch late last year and was such a success, she’ll soon be rolling out the pop-ups across the country. More info at www.mychapter.co.
Lisa Fleming
This incredible Edinburgh mother has been living with incurable secondary breast cancer since 2017 and refuses to let her diagnosis define her. Instead, she set up Make 2nds Count, a charity helping to fund research and awareness, to ensure that secondary breast cancer sufferers and their families find a cure. Help them on their journey at The Great Gatsby Ball, at Prestonfield House on 20 March. Tickets available at www.make2ndscount.co.uk
Anna Murphy
Champion of sustainable fashion, The Times Fashion Director and author, Anna Murphy is bringing her mission to the capital, joining Smart Works Edinburgh, a charity supporting women back into work, to talk about the hot topic at the Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian on Thursday 30 April. For tickets and more information, visit www.smartworks.org.uk or call 0131 516 7787. Anna’s book How Not to Wear Black, £16.99 is out now.
Annie Lennox
Would any IWD countdown be complete without her? In a word, no. The Scottish singer-songwriter and political activist continues to do it for herself and every other sister out there. Join her women’s charity, The Scottish Circle, for a fun day celebrating the world’s most inspirational females on 08 March at BAaD in Glasgow. Tickets, £10 at www.thecircle.ngo. Proceeds from All The Queens Big Quiz will directly benefit Glasgow Rape Crisis.
Paige Turley
If you missed the latest series of Love Island (seriously, where were you?), you might not have heard of the sassy Scottish singer who won the show but we’re sure you will soon. It wasn’t just Finn who fell in love with the West Lothian lass; Paige won the hearts of the nation – ours included – and we can’t wait for her to shirk the ‘Lewis Capaldi’s ex’ label and prove her own voice is just as worthy of a listen.