Women from Northamptonshire urged to forge better world on International Women's Day

Women from across Northamptonshire joined forces to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women in the county.
Glennis HooperGlennis Hooper
Glennis Hooper

The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is #BeBoldForChange and women were being asked to call on the masses to help forge a better working world as well as calling for greater equality.

Guest speakers, including Crazy Hats founder, Glennis Hooper and double silver Olympic medallist, Becky James.

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Glennis Hooper founded Crazy Hats Breast Cancer Appeal when she was diagnosed with Breast Cancer aged 46.

Becky JamesBecky James
Becky James

She said: “Adopting a ‘be bold for change’ attitude I focused my energies and made a commitment to helping people by throwing myself into setting up and developing our breast cancer charity.

“For me, it was a way of showing the authorities I wasn’t ill and that I had a great deal to offer.

“International Women’s Day is an ideal opportunity for the world to see how many women have successfully turned their lives around when adversity strikes.”

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The Northamptonshire Community Foundation in sponsorship with Avon welcomed more than 70 women from across the county to Winwick Hall to celebrate the day.

Becky JamesBecky James
Becky James

Novelist, Judith Allnatt and Debra Charles, CEO of Novecroft Group also gave words of empowerment at the event.

Acclaimed author, Judith Allnatt spoke of the challenges faced by becoming a female writer.

She said: “Fulfilling any dream is mainly about being bold enough to start.

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“For me, as a writer, it took courage and the support of women friends to trust that others would be interested in what I had to say. Whatever your dream... be bold.”

Debra Charles, Chief Executive of Novacroft is a key ambassador for technology and innovation, she discussed how a low number of women work in the STEM industry.

She said: "It's about recognising that standing out from the crowd is a good thing.

“With robotics and artificial intelligence becoming more prevalent, to inspire their future, it's vital that we show children the amazing things technology can do."