Put 8th March in your diary, the date of International Women’s Day 2025. This is the day that we celebrate women around the world and all that they’ve accomplished. Some women may have made groundbreaking scientific discoveries, others have written novels or directed films; while others have created a secure family unit or freely lived their life in the way that they wanted. On this day, we celebrate every woman and her choices.

How Hour Hands have chosen to celebrate IWD25

As a team of women, with strong personalities and diverse backgrounds, we thought it was appropriate to hand over the writing of this blog to each other and to share an IWD message from each of us. It’s interesting to note that there are similar themes running through our statements, which is testament to who we are and the life we have led.

“Behind every successful woman is a tribe of women that have her back.”

I am lucky to have a strong tribe of women that I can rely on. They are there for wine, for laughter, for sharing raising teenagers stories, for understanding, for great nights out, for giving perspective, and for just being there whenever I need them. And I am lucky to spend IWD 25 with my tribe.

Inspiring each other
The women in my life are my greatest inspiration – my incredible mum, my friends, and the strong women in my family. Their strength, resilience, and unwavering support motivate me every day, as they push me to grow personally and professionally. I grew up living just with my mum and little sister so their love, coupled with my friends’ ongoing encouragement, and lots of other powerful examples set by the women in my family, are what has made me, me. I am constantly reminded of the impact of how amazing women are at making the world a better place.

Encouraging each other
My mum is such a huge inspiration in my life. She inspires me every day to keep smiling, keep being positive, and always keep going, no matter what happens, just as she did throughout my childhood.
She was always there with encouragement whenever I felt I could not do something. Whenever I felt stuck, my mum was there for me to guide me the right direction. Now I am a mum myself, I appreciate her even more!

Depending on each other
On International Women’s Day I am reminded daily about how much I depend on a group of strong women, who’s shared life experience over the last 40+ years has been what kept me grounded, motivated and sane! Mothers, sisters, true true friends. Through happy life experiences and some truly awful ones, I have held them close, through tears and laughter with a vision to make the best of the opportunities we are given.

Recognising each other
I am very fortunate to have a strong support system in two amazing women. They continuously inspire me everyday and I am very lucky that they are both fantastic, positive role models to not just me but my two sassy, bright and kind girls. They have each impacted me through professional growth and personal development, to parenting, and demonstrate just how important it is to have people who lead by example. They have both made a profound difference in the way I approach the world. I am trying to make more of an effort in reminding them both about how important they are to me.

Supporting each other
“Behind every successful man there is a woman.”
“Behind every great woman… is another great woman.”
“Here’s to strong women. May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them.”
Thank you to my amazing daughter who is helping me to stay strong every day!

Realising the strength inside ourselves

I am very lucky to have quite a few very special women in my life who have always given massive support to me over the past year. But from a very selfish point of view, on this International Women’s Day I am going to give myself a little pat on the back. This past year has taught me that as well as being grateful to have amazing supportive, inspirational and strong women by my side, I have to remind myself that I can be one of those women. I think we forget sometimes that actually strength, courage and resilience has to come from within and that makes us better women to help others when they need it most.

On IWD25 we ask you to share your thoughts too. It may be in your head, written in a card that you send to someone, or you may choose to post on social media using the hashtag #IWD25. Whatever works for you. Because that’s what being a woman is – celebrating each other’s differences but always being there to support each other.

Happy International Women’s Day 2025 to you all.