Ahead of International Women’s Day on Friday 8 March, Year 12 pupil Ben Stokes spoke in today’s (Monday 4 March) Whole College Assembly. In his powerful speech, Ben spoke about some of the inspirational women in his life, as well as the importance of IWD in today’s world.
Below is Ben's full speech:
‘As some of you may know, Friday 8 March is International Women's Day so when I was asked to give this speech, I thought to myself, what does International Women's Day stand for? I thought of four words: resilience, respect, equality, and achievement. These words reflect what women have achieved and are still achieving in society.
International Women's Day this year has a theme - inspire inclusion - as when we inspire others to understand and value women’s inclusion, we forge a better world. And when women themselves are inspired to be included, there’s a sense of belonging relevance and empowerment.
But we also know that women still face many challenges and barriers in today's world. According to the United Nations, women make up more than half of the world's population, but they only hold 25% of parliamentary seats, 28% of managerial positions, and 13% of peace negotiators. Women also bear the brunt of poverty, illiteracy, and violence.
These statistics show how while equality has improved from the days of the suffragettes, women are still at a disadvantage. In the words of Emeline Pankhurst, the leader of the suffragettes, "We are here, not because we are lawbreakers; we are here in our efforts to become lawmakers." This shows how she aspired to allow women into roles of authority, to give them the same opportunities that men had, and to achieve equal rights in every aspect of political and social life.
In history, there have always been women who have paved the way for change and equality and have stood up for what they believe in. People like Rosa Parks showed their beliefs and changed people's attitudes by paving the way for change in America. Rosa Parks was an influential civil rights activist known for her refusal to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama, bus to a white passenger in 1955. This act of defiance sparked the Montgomery bus boycott, a pivotal event in the civil rights movement. She famously said, "It is better to teach or live equality and love than to have hatred and prejudice." This shows how she wanted people to live in unison in love and prosperity with respect and kindness towards everyone, no matter their gender.
Another influential woman in history is Amelia Earhart, who was the first female pilot to fly across the Atlantic. She proved against the doubts of the time that women could complete the same feats as men, as they are still doing today by entering male-dominated industries and showing that women are just as capable as men and, most of the time, more capable.
Some of the most influential women in my life are my mum, sister, and grandma, which I'm sure is the same for most men in this room. They have taught me the value of kind words, the benefits of hard work, and to respect everyone from all walks of life. From a young age, I witnessed my mom working hard every day to benefit me and my sister and to send us to a school like Shiplake. But while doing this, she still found time to teach me about her business, take us on holiday, or help me with homework. It is people like that in our lives that shape our personalities and work ethics and teach us skills that we will use for the rest of our lives. So, especially today, but every other day as well, make sure you show the women in your life what they mean to you.
So, this Friday on International Women's Day, let us celebrate the incredible achievements of women and stand up against gender bias and inequality. Let us honour the women in our lives who have made a difference and continue to inspire us. Together, we can create a world where women are empowered to achieve their dreams and reach their full potential.’
