International Women’s Day 2024
This year’s theme for International Women’s Day is #inspireinclusion
We are proud of the strong, intelligent women who make the organisation what it is today.
For International Women’s Day 2024, we asked some of the women who make up Voly Group what this means to them.
“I would urge my younger self to cultivate a steadfast belief in abilities and potential.”
Elle Ahmed - Client Relationship Manager - Voly Yachting
What does being a woman mean to you?
To be a woman is to embody strength, leadership, and passion, while also nurturing with care, kindness, and understanding. It's about managing multiple roles with resilience and determination whilst being a voice and support for other women, helping them grow and thrive. Women uplift each other, creating a network of empowerment and solidarity, fostering a world where every woman's potential is realised and celebrated. Women are the architects of empathy, champions of progress and the pillars of the community and their families. Being a woman is to embrace the power to inspire positive change, shaping a brighter future for generations to come.
Being the woman you are today, what advice would you give to your younger self?
First and foremost, I would encourage my younger self to trust her intuition and gut instinct. Throughout life, we encounter countless decisions and crossroads. In those moments of hesitation and uncertainty, I would remind her that by trusting in her instincts, life can be navigated with gender clarity and confidence.
I would emphasise the importance of self-belief. Too often, we allow self doubts and insecurities to cloud our judgement and hinder our progress.
I would urge my younger self to cultivate a steadfast belief in abilities and potential.
In a world filled with naysayers and sceptics, it is easy to succumb to the notion that certain goals are beyond our grasp. However, I would remind her that with perseverance, determination and unwavering dedication. Even the loftiest of aspirations can be turned into reality. I would remind her that her worth is not contingent upon the approval of validation of others. Lastly, I would reassure my younger self that she would never feel compelled to pick and choose or compromise her authenticity for the sake of conformity.
If you could have dinner with one inspirational woman, dead or alive, who would that be and what would you ask her?
If given the chance to share dinner with one inspirational woman, I would choose Queen Rania of Jordan without hesitation. Her multifaceted character, marked by grace, intellect, and unwavering humanitarianism, captivates the world’s attention.
Queen Rania of Jordan stands as a beacon of grace, intellect, and humanitarianism, epitomising the essence of inspiration. Her eloquence and unwavering dedication to uplifting marginalised voices, particularly women in the Arab world, resonate profoundly. Through her advocacy and platform, she illuminates the narratives often obscured by misconceptions, offering a voice to those silenced by societal constraints.
Her commitment to education, healthcare, and women's rights underscores her impact as a global humanitarian leader. Queen Rania's initiatives, such as the Jordan River Foundation and her advocacy for quality education for all children, exemplify her dedication to fostering positive change and empowerment.
As a style icon, Queen Rania exudes elegance and sophistication, effortlessly blending tradition with modernity. Her impeccable fashion choices reflect not only her personal taste but also her commitment to representing her culture with dignity and grace. Her style and elegance only serve to enhance her aura of influence and inspire women like me to embrace progress and innovation.
If granted the opportunity to dine with Queen Rania, I would be eager to gain wisdom from her experiences and learn how she navigates life's challenges with such grace and poise. I would ask her about her approach to leadership, her strategies for staying resilient in the face of adversity, and her vision for a more inclusive and compassionate world.
In essence, dining with Queen Rania would not only be an opportunity to glean insights from a remarkable leader but also a chance to be inspired by her unwavering commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of others.
“Have your own opinion based on what you truly believe…”
Kirsty Smith - Business Development Assistant - Pinpoint Works
What does being a woman mean to you?
Being able to manage multiple roles and responsibilities while finding fun, happiness, and contentment in as much as I can.
Being the woman you are today, what advice would you give to your younger self?
Have your own opinion based on what you truly believe, and speak it when needed.
If you could have dinner with one inspirational woman, dead or alive, who would that be and what would you ask her?
My daughters, but if I had to pick one, it would be my youngest, Sophia. She is wild but knows her own mind and has done from the moment she was born, she will try anything once. I would ask her what is the secret to being so confident and determined at such a young age.
“Go out into the world and see what’s possible”
Jenny Allton-Twist - Backend Developer - Pinpoint Works
What does being a woman mean to you?
I love being a woman. We’re strong, eminently capable, and starting to get the recognition we deserve in the workplace. It can be lonely sometimes when you’re the only woman in the room though - I’m one of five sisters and we work across tech, defence, medicine, and education. Some of those industries are taking longer than others to increase diversity, but thankfully there does seem to be an effort across the board to increase equality.
Being the woman you are today, what advice would you give to your younger self?
You have lots of time! Don’t feel pressured to pick a career at eighteen and never look around to see what else you might enjoy. Go out into the world and see what’s possible.
If you could have dinner with one inspirational woman, dead or alive, who would that be and what would you ask her?
Taylor Swift. I’m not even a superfan, just a regular fan, but I would love to talk to her about how she manages her workload, plans her business decisions, keeps a level head in the chaos of the music industry, and what she wants to do later in life.