What does international women’s day mean to you?

On the 8th March 2021, people from all around the globe will be celebrating the social, economic, and political achievements of women. This year is more significant than ever to celebrate the achievements of women all over the world. We’ve experienced a year of challenges and shown resilience in the face of adversity. To the women who have had to manage home schooling in addition to their day job, the women who have been furloughed and have faced uncertainty to the future of their employment, and the women who have worked directly on the front line, I applaud you all.

As a young legal professional, I am grateful for the women before me who made it possible for myself and my female peers to take for granted the equal opportunities that are presented to me today. I am of course grateful to the famous females within the legal sector such as Baroness Hale and Ruth Bader Ginsberg’s whose death was a huge loss to women around the globe her past judgements continue to aspire me. In the last year I have been hugely inspired by Jacinda Arden, and Kamala Harris who have motivated the next generation of women to aspire to achieve power and influence.

During lockdown, I have become a regular podcast listener whereby I regularly enjoy women in the law UK hosted by Sally Penni and I am always in owe by both Sally and her guests’ accomplishments. I am also a keen listener of How to Fail by Elizabeth Day which looks at how people’s failures helps to define their successes, my favourite episode aired in August 2020 when Gloria Steinem was interviewed, who is an absolute feminist icon “When unique voices are united in a common cause, they make history.”

In the legal industry women make up 49% of lawyers in law firms, but unfortunately, this drops to around 34% of partners who are female (SRA March 2020). The Law Society is committed to promoting inclusion in the legal profession to reflect the diversity of our society, and I am proud to work for a firm that supports and encourages diversity. During my career thus far I am grateful to have been taught, mentored and trained by some remarkable women, who continue to inspire me on a daily basis. I will forever be a cheerleader and support the success of other women and hope that we can all make a conscious effort to close the gender gap and achieve equality.