International Women’s Day 2025: Celebrating Women Who Inspire

Director’s Blog- Originally posted on LinkedIn on March 5, 2025 by Artistic Director Kate Gorman

For today’s International Women’s Day post, I’m moving closer to home and not worrying about being super corny.

The women I’ve been thinking about today are my mum, daughter and grandma.

My Mum tells me she’s never really done anything significant that makes a difference in the world. I beg to differ.

She’s right that she’s not one for a grand gesture, a big “WOW”. But she aces small things done in the every day.

That small drip, drip, drip of little deeds that all add up to something really quite special.

She has taught me how one might never make a big glamourous statement in the world, but all those tiny things that you do, the small gestures that happen in the every day…they all add up and make a fundamental difference to the people around you…and to society and the world.

So, I stand proud and say that I too am a person for small things.
I can’t imagine ever doing something really “WOW” but I can, and do, take small actions each and every day.

My daughter?

She reminds me of the importance of being brave, if not on your own behalf, then on behalf of others.
I watch her step forward when others can’t or won’t. The world needs people like this. People who are prepared to stand up for what they believe to be right.

And, finally, Grandma – taking us to three generations of inspirational women.

Grandma was my beloved friend: someone with whom I shared interests and found forever interesting; someone who I supported in time of need and who also supported me.

In her early twenties, after WWII, she and a friend decided to up sticks and move from London to Dover. Taking up teaching jobs. They didn’t follow a husband or a parent. They went off their own backs just because they wanted to. She continued teaching throughout her life, including when her children were small, which was pretty unusual then. There were so many more unusual things she did, all full of get up and go….including deciding that she was going to learn Latin at nearly 90…as you do.

She taught me the value of deciding and doing. Taking opportunities. Giving things a go.I mean, be more Grandma, right!

What About You?

Are there any inspirational women in your family?