Ahead of the #EachforEqual International Women’s Day this Sunday 8th March, we asked a number of the Magicard team to tell us about women who have inspired them.
Princess Diana by Karen Ireson – Senior Despatch/Export Administrator
Princess Diana was the People’s Princess. I was, and still am, inspired by her working endlessly to try and help AIDs sufferers as well as her campaigns against land mines.
She taught her two sons that everyone deserves to have a voice, no matter where or who they are. She also taught them to stand up for themselves. I saw her be the recipient of so much bad press, but she just kept going and focused on what she believed in.
Marie Curie (Sklodowska) by Aga Perz – Technical Sales Support
For me, I believe Marie Curie was a really inspirational woman.
I believe this because she was the first woman to be awarded a Nobel Prize and the first person, ever, to win two. She is most famous for the discovery of polonium and radium which has had a huge impact on today’s medicine.
She worked hard with great ambitions, fought discrimination and the work she has done changing people’s lives in today’s society.
Marissa Mayer by Jack Prior – Mechanical Design Engineer
With so much preconceived prejudice circulating us, it’s easy to overlook those who prove that women are by no means the inferior sex. Someone who personifies this for me is Marissa Mayer, the Ex-CEO of Yahoo!
While women share only 9% of Silicon Valley equity, it’s people like Marissa who show that, with determination and drive, it is possible for women to rise to the top of their field. And do so in an industry that many would otherwise consider a technological “gentleman’s club”. I hope potential future generations of female tech bosses take note of her achievements and accomplish the same goals, without the wrongly associated stigma.
Pippa Funnell by Jackie Greaney – Buyer
As a 50-something mother of two teenagers who has always enjoyed horse riding, I have been inspired by Pippa Funnell. Pippa proved to me that you are never too old to enjoy and take part in the sport you love, at any level.
My riding consists of a few lessons and ‘hacking out’ at our local stable. This is a far cry from the dizzying heights of Pippa’s international level of skills but it’s great to see a woman competing and winning at this sport that she loves.
Pippa Funnell is a dedicated sportswoman who never gave up hopes to inspire others to keep pursuing their dreams.
Jade Goody by Vikki Cosgrove – Sales Support Manager
A woman that has inspired me is Jade Goody. Despite the highs and lows of her time in the limelight, one thing that she will always be remembered for is her bravery during her fight against cervical cancer. During this battle, she used her platform to raise awareness of cervical cancer and following her death at 27 years of age, there was a rise in the number of cervical screenings.
Steph Houghton by Phil Reynolds – Sales Director EMEAI
Steph Houghton, the current England Women’s Football Team captain is an inspiration to me. I met her when she visited our local juniors football club with a few of her colleagues. While she was there, she set up a brilliant training session, made sure everyone got involved and all skill levels we encouraged and celebrated.
Despite recovering from a serious knee injury, she made sure she got involved, demonstrated skills and made sure nobody was left out.
Steph has been awarded the MBE to services to football which I believe is very well deserved as she is dedicated, skilled and currently the most successful women’s football team captain after leading her team to the World Cup Semi-Final in 2015.
Audrey Hepburn by Debbie Clark – HR Director
In a world where many women look up to celebrities, I believe we need to look up to more people who inspire us to be better versions of ourselves. For me, Audrey Hepburn does just that.
Not only is she beautiful, but she was also extremely talented. She was a film and a fashion icon, not to mention multi-lingual. Audrey Hepburn was the first actress to win a Golden Globe, an Academy Award and a BAFTA for a single performance as Princess Ann in Roman Holiday.
Her character in the film Breakfast at Tiffany’s is iconic and I can’t wait to try the exclusive café in London set up to celebrate this role!
Mary Ellis, Emmeline Pankhurst, and Countess Ada Lovelace by Simon Craddock – Chief Marketing Officer
For me, there have been very many women who made history shake when alive, the tremors of which I have felt personally during my 50 years:
- There was Mary Ellis whose WW2 aviation exploits and post-war career on the Isle of Wight made her a near-neighbour of whom I grew up in awe.
- Next, Emmeline Pankhurst whose campaigning won women of a certain age such as my Grandmothers the vote.
- Then Countess Ada Lovelace whose work with Charles Babbage laid the foundations for the IT-focused world in which I have spent my career.
