International Women’s Day: The Powerful Women Inspiring Us

Women’s Day 2020… anyone remember that? WOW do we wish we knew then what we know now. It’s been a rollercoaster of a year, but amongst all the madness, personal challenges and relentless news have been all the women doing amazing things and inspiring us to just keep going. Sometimes they’re the ones you expect, the high profile figures (can we get a SHE DID IT for Kamala Harris), often they’re fighting through adversity, and sometimes they’re much closer to home. But the thing that ties them all together is their power, their positivity and their ability to make us all say: Women. Are. Amazing. And there is no better time to celebrate them - after all that’s what International Women’s Day is for - so we asked team NEOM to share the women who inspire them the most right now. There are SO many to mention, here are just a few.

The scientists

Virologists, biological researchers and disease experts are the SUPERSTARS of the last year. What a massive achievement, to be able to look back at where we were, as we watch vaccinations roll out worldwide. They’ve saved lives with their knowledge, and have given us all hope for the future again. And in amongst the men’s world of science, are some women who have lead the charge against Covid, including: Dr Soumya Swaminathan, the World Health Organization’s Chief Scientist; Dr Kizzmeika Corbett, who helped develop the Modernas vaccine; Kayisha Payne, founder of BBSTEM (Black British Professionals in Science) and Associate Scientist at AstraZeneca’s research arm and Professor Polly Roy, virologist of Oxford and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.

The badass bad-day heroes

Even the highest of achievers need a boost some days and for that we go to the podcasters, writers and content creators who bring out exactly what we need to feel great. From workouts by Alice Liveing (@aliceliveing) to kind, insightful words when we need them most from Dr Mariel Buquè (@dr.marielbuque), there’s a whole community by women, for women that just lifts you up. There’s too many to mention, but we’re so super grateful for Chessie King (@chessiekingg), Adrienne LDN (@adrienne_ldn), Poppy Jamie (@poppyjamie), Rosie Ramsey (@rosiemarinoramsey), Emma Guns (@emmaguns) and Danae Mercer (@danaemercer), for their workouts, tips, strength, mum wisdom, inspiring words and bringing us all together.

The ones keeping us all (literally) going

And then there’s the ones on the front lines. The doctors and medical professionals who have been making sure we all pull through (Covid or otherwise) and the people who have found solutions to lift up the worst-affected. Take Danielle McGee, who saw people struggling with the loss of their businesses, and invented an app to help people pivot (for free at the moment) from bricks and mortar to online trading. Then there’s Dr Zoe Williams (@drzoewilliams) and Dr Hazel Wallace (@thefoodmedic) who find time alongside their jobs (NHS doctor and nutritionist, respectively) to share their knowledge on social media and podcasts.

The ones saving the world, one cause at a time

And finally, the women who see a cause, and get out there and change it. Charlotte Williams (@charlottesevensix) is flying the sustainability and diversity flag every single day with her marketing agency and podcast, Lisa Potter-Dixon (@lisapotterdixon) saw an opportunity in her industry (beauty) and started charity The C-List to supply much-needed feel good to cancer patients. Dria Murphy (@driamurphy) sits on the board of charity Commit2Change which provides education for orphaned girls.

There are SO many more inspiring women we could have mentioned this International Women’s Day and we’re sure you have more too, drop us a note @neomorganics to tell us yours, and keep the inspiration vibes going!