International Women's Day 2021
To mark International Women's Day, we invited women in the J&M Davidson creative family to tell us about the women they champion and celebrate in their lives.
Andrea Allen, Artist
International Women's Day should celebrate the extraordinary accomplishments of women across the world, and throughout history. Who's accomplishments would you like to celebrate and why?
AA: Michaela Cole for her incredible talent as a writer of the truth told through the lives of her brilliantly observed characters. A reminder of how excellent drama can be when authenticity and integrity are at the heart of the narrative.
The past years been a difficult one - which woman has inspired you throughout it?
AA: Philippa Perry, for her compassion, art and wise words.
What is an un-celebrated facet of being a woman, that should be talked about more?
AA: Multitasking of course.
What should next year's women's day theme be?
AA: Women in their 50's starting new careers.
If you could give your younger self a piece of advice about being a woman, what would it be?
AA: Your needs are important.
Andrea Allen
Tish Weinstock, Writer
What is an un-celebrated facet of being a woman, that should be talked about more?
TW: I don't think being a woman is a universal experience, but something I found incredibly challenging was the process of becoming a mother, from pregnancy to childbirth to breastfeeding and just psychologically going from person to 'mother' overnight. But I appreciate not everyone can or wants to have a child.
What would be your womanly superpower and why?
TW: Time travel. I've said a lot of silly things that I wish I could take back; moments and people that I've taken for granted that I would like to relive. And who isn't curious about the future?
What would be on your IWD playlist?
TW: 'Man, I Feel Like A Woman' - Shania Twain
What should next year's women's day theme be?
TW: Sex. There's still so much shame and stigma attached to email sexuality.
If you could give your younger self a piece of advice about being a woman, what would it be?
TW: I'm still figuring it out to be honest. So "hang in there".
Tish Weinstock
Photographed by Indigo Lewin for the Spring 2021 Campaign
Celia Burton, Make Up Artist
The official UN them for IWD21 is "Women in Leadership, achieving an equal future in a covid-19 world" - which woman would you like to see take a seat as a world leader?
CB: Let's go back in time and make Jane Fonda president. Other than AOC, I can't think of someone I'd like to see more bossing all those men around.
The past year has been a difficult one - which woman has inspired you throughout it?
CB: My agent Jade Quinlan. She has 2 kids under 10 and has been home schooling alongside running her agency (quite successfully I might add) in lockdown and I have been in awe of her throughout.
What is an un-celebrated facet of being a woman, that should be talked about more?
CB: Woman are multi faceted to the core and totally. diverse and should just be celebrated for all things all the time.
What would be your womanly super power and why?
CB: I would change the wiring in everyone's brain so that the beauty standard we've been trapped in for so long changed, and women were able to be all shapes and sizes without feeling dreadful about themselves.
If you could give your younger self a piece of advice about being a woman, what would it be?
CB: Don't waste so much time focusing on what everyone else is busy with, believe in yourself and be bold.
Moon Bedeaux, Model and Artist
The past year has been a difficult one - which woman has inspired you throughout it?
MB: My mother is a great fountain of knowledge who has inspired me throughout this year and beyond.
What would be your womanly super power and why?
MB: Being able to access wasted food and distribute it worldwide. With all the waste that is created on this earth, nobody should go hungry!
If you could give your younger self a piece of advice about being a woman, what would it be?
MB: Enjoy the process of ageing - as you grow, you acquire more wisdom and learn to appreciate the wonders of what it means to be a woman. We are all Wonder Woman.
Josie Hall, Photographer
International Women's Day should celebrate the extraordinary accomplishments of women across the world, and throughout history. Who's accomplishments would you like to celebrate and why?
JH: I would like to celebrate the political and cultural victories of women this year. From the first female Vice-President, to Scotland's success against period poverty by introducing free and universal access to menstrual healthcare, to Travis Alabanza's 'Overflow' play, women have made such strident steps toward equality and success this year.
What would be on your IWD playlist?
JH: Cyndi Lauper's 'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun'.
The past year has been a difficult one - which woman has inspired you throughout it?
JH: My Mother.
Image by Josie Hall
Sadie Williams, Designer
International Women's Day should celebrate the extraordinary accomplishments of women across the world, and throughout history. Who's accomplishments would you like to celebrate and why?
SW: All women working at the NHS who deserve more than a 1% pay rise.
The official UN them for IWD21 is "Women in Leadership, achieving an equal future in a covid-19 world" - which woman would you like to see take a seat as a world leader?
SW: Dolly Parton!
What should next year's women's day theme be?
SW: Women leading the. world for a better, brighter and fairer future.
If you could give your younger self a piece of advice about being a woman, what would it be?
SW: To always believe in yourself, trust your intuition and unwaveringly stick to your guns and do what feels right.
Sadie Williams
Katie Greenwood, Designer
International Women's Day should celebrate the extraordinary accomplishments of women across the world, and throughout history. Who's accomplishments would you like to celebrate and why?
KG: This is an obvious one by through her handling of the pandemic Jacinda Ardern has once again demonstrated that she stands apart among world leaders. She demonstrates the possibility of a different style of leadership - one in which strength and compassion are not mutually exclusive.
The official UN theme for IWD21 is "Women In Leadership, achieving an equal future in a covid-19 world" - which woman would you like to see take a seat as a world leader?
KG: I'd elect Naomi Klein into any leadership position any day - her worldview is absolutely what we need right now...
The past years been a difficult one - which woman has inspired you throughout it?
KG: A collection of incredible women have educated and inspired me through fiction and non-fiction writing this year: Berndardine Evaristo, Lisa Taddeo, Reni Eddo-Lodge, Margaret Atwood, to name a few...
What is an un-celebrated facet of being a woman, that should be talked about more?
KG: Wisdom, instinct, intuition and empathy ... these innate and almost witch-like womanly strengths are powerful and should be celebrated and sought after in leadership roles within our society.
