International Women's Day 2024: Five amazing Derby women who are setting the world on fire

International Women’s Day (IWD) is a time to applaud women's achievements while recognising the challenges they face. 

The day shines a spotlight on the cultural, social, and political achievements of women across the world, while highlighting important topics such as gender equality.

It’s a worldwide movement that has high-profile supporters including Cara Delevingne, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, and Donatella Versace. 

Closer to home in Derby, we have female trailblazers of our own whose work in the community is paving the way for future generations.

They are change-makers and ambassadors for a life led with purpose, whilst being role models for the next generation of women. 

We have an amazing list of five inspirational women.

They are comedian Lizzy Lenco MBE, entrepreneur Natalie Bamford, fourth-generation director in the funeral industry Jackie Lymn Rose, Chair of IWD Derby and social justice champion Vanessa Boon, and science communication animator Mair Bain.

These incredible women share what IWD means to them and their favourite quote from an influential woman.

Lizzy Lenco MBE

This award-winning Derby-based comedian holds IWD close to her heart - March 8 was her beloved grandmother’s birthday who was an ambulance driver in the Blitz.

Lizzie said: “She inspired me throughout my life with her courage, humour, and thirst for knowledge. She felt strongly that women should make the most of our right to vote. 

“In her 90s she was still organising lifts for women on polling day. 

“She believed women could do anything and told me, ‘what women might lack by way  of muscle, they make up for with presence of mind.’

“She even came with me when I received my MBE and as a gift, gave me her mother’s Suffragette brooch.

“I treasure it and will always love that IWD is on her birthday because it reminds me that we should celebrate the extraordinary, ordinary women, as well as the famous leaders.”

Lizzie is a firm believer in supporting women leaders of tomorrow.

She said: “Women must champion other women. Female-led comedy nights are springing up all over the UK, which is great to see.

“I’ve been a business mentor to younger women for many years and I’m lucky that I now have wonderful established female comedians mentoring me.”

For the past few years, Lizzy has spent IWD performing on all-female comedy nights.

It’s going to be another busy IWD this year for Lizzy too.

She will headline a comedy event in Swansea, lead a comedy writing workshop on March 11 at Staywell and host an all-female line up at Happy Tuesdays at Dubrek.

For more information about Lizzy visit her social profile by clicking here.

Natalie Bamford

This ambitious entrepreneur co-founded a corporate gifting business with her husband in 2020 after being furloughed, scooping multiple awards along the way.

The history of IWD strikes a chord with Natalie who recognises the power of community in Derby and beyond.

Natalie said: “IWD is a poignant reminder for the modern women's movement, inspiring empowerment and building community among women worldwide.

“Every year I learn about another inspirational female in history who achieved incredible things and paved the way for future females and that's why I love IWD.”

Citing Trudy McCaffery who played in the 1971 Women’s World Cup, Natalie is keen to pay homage to courageous women from the past who did not get recognition they deserve. 

Natalie said: “Ms McCaffery and her teammates were erased from the history books until now. 

“It's important to keep hearing these stories and giving these women the credit they deserve even if it is years later.

“For me personally, it's about providing a better future for my daughters through empowerment and equality. I can see progress being made but we still have a long way to go in society, and that's why IWD is still very relevant and very important.”

Natalie believes challenging gender stereotypes and bias are “essential steps” in creating inclusive environments where women can thrive. 

IWD has always been a busy time for Natalie. She will speak on several panels and is hosting a Derby QUAD premiere of COPA71 documentary, something she is ‘beyond excited about.’

For more information about Natalie and Colleague Box visit the website by clicking here.

Jackie Lymn

This company director has worked in the largely male-dominated industry since 1978.

Prestigious titles she has held include National President of the British Institute of Embalmers (1988-89) and she was awarded Fellowship in 2013. 

Reflecting on the origins of IWD, Jackie said: “It surprises me that IWD has been celebrated since 1913, that force to reckon with, surely impacted on the Parliament Act 1918 (allowing women to be elected to Parliament).

“Women have come a long way since then but, sadly, the oppression of women is still very evident in other nations. IWD highlights the global differences in how women are viewed in society, in politics, in finance, in science and how slowly that is changing.”

Working in an industry dominated by males since the 1970s, Jackie has a unique perspective of the significance of women’s roles in the workforce today.

She said: “IWD gives me an opportunity to reflect on my 45 years' of employment in an industry that was, at the beginning of my career, very much male dominated. 

“Positive changes in legislation have afforded equal opportunity for women.

“In education girls are encouraged to study subjects that were previously considered ‘boys-only.’

“Female self-worth is no longer discouraged, which is great to see.”

For more information about Jackie and  A.W. Lymn The Family Funeral Service visit their website by clicking here. 

Vanessa Boon

This self-confessed ‘joyful disruptor’ feels it is important to look back and acknowledge historical figures who positively impacted the lives of people today. 

Vanessa said: “IWD is a powerful day to remember the women who went before us, who blazed a trail for us, to celebrate progress, campaign wins and achievements and to boost efforts to create a safer, fairer, brighter future for women and girls.”

She has been involved in IWD events for around 17 years and has served as Chair of IWD Derby for 11 years, co-planning the volunteer-powered annual celebrations.

This year's festival runs from March 8-9, combining vital campaign issues, uplifting celebrations, socials and more.

Vanessa said: “From Suffragette marching songs to giant puppet protests and live music performances, I am looking forward to seeing some audience participation!”

For more information about IWD visit the website by clicking here.

Mair Bain

Many see IWD as a time to take stock and acknowledge the positive action of our forebears. 

Mair said: “IWD makes me reflect on the hard work of women to win the rights we have today, such as voting, being able to own our own property and bodily autonomy. Though there’s still more work to be done in achieving equality.”

Mair is part of a local women-led environmental campaign and she will be hosting a stall at the IWD event in Derby for the Stop the A38 Expansion campaign.

Sessions that Mair has previously participated in shine a spotlight on climate justice, and Women In Business.

Meaningful words from influential women

We may find these five women with their impressive backgrounds inspirational, which is why we were keen to find out who they found inspirational.

Here are the people they quoted, from leading political figure Margaret Thatcher to the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize, Wangari Maathai.

Mair Bain - Wangari Maathai: “We are called to assist the Earth to heal her wounds and in the process heal our own - indeed, to embrace the whole creation in all its diversity, beauty, and wonder. This will happen if we see the need to revive our sense of belonging to a larger family of life, with which we have shared our evolutionary process.”

Vanessa - Audre Lorde: “I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own.”

Jackie - Margaret Thatcher: “If you want something spoken about, ask a man. If you want something done, ask a woman”  

Lizzy - Eleanor Roosevelt: “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”   

Natalie - Rachael MacKenzie: “The only person standing in my way is me, and I know I can beat her."