08 March 2021

International Women’s Day 2021: Celebrating the Leading Women in Our Lives

International Women’s Day is dedicated to the achievements women from all backgrounds and cultures have made throughout history.

International Women’s Day 2021: Celebrating the Leading Women in Our Lives

International Women’s Day is dedicated to the achievements women from all backgrounds and cultures have made throughout history. Celebrated since the early 1900s, this day is all about empowering women around the world, standing up for women’s rights and gender parity together.

International Women’s Day 2021, is all about #ChooseToChallenge. Whether it’s challenging gender biases, fighting against sexism and misogyny in the workplace or celebrating each other’s achievements, we can all make a positive difference for women everywhere by stepping out of our comfort zone. With this in mind, we asked some of our Salon Services staff to name the women who have had an impact on their lives for the better. Plus, we’ve shared our ideas on how we can show them our appreciation on this momentous day.

Jenna: Why my little sister became my inspiration and leading woman in my life…

My sister and I have fought all our lives, best friends one moment and arch enemies the next. I had always been proud of her, she was annoying but she was still the cool, funny baby sister. Then in 2020 the pandemic hit and my sister showed me compassion, patience and kindness like I’ve never known. Alice is a nurse, or more specifically a cardiac high dependency nurse. She moved away from home five years ago to work at Southampton General Hospital, and she’s been saving lives ever since. Throughout the pandemic, she continued to do her job, never complaining, taking on more shifts to cover nurses that needed to be with their families. She sacrificed seeing anyone for months to make sure she could continue to support the NHS and be there for patients affected by COVID-19. Her feet were sore, she had marks across her face from wearing a mask for 13 hours straight and she was sleep deprived, but she still says it’s the best job in the world.

In 2021 she was redeployed to ICU specifically to work with COVID-19 patients in intensive care. She deals with the unimaginable there, and yet she still finds humour and a smile when she video calls her family, keeping an air of positivity around her. After months of Alice isolating from everyone, so she can continue to save lives in this pandemic, we cannot wait to give her a huge hug and tell her how proud we are. She is my real life superwoman, an inspiration to everyone to keep going and believe that every life is worth saving. I’m privileged to call her my sister. Thank you Alice

Idea #1 Stay connected

As Jenna’s story shows, communication between women has never been more important, even when we’re apart. A simple ‘hello’ during a catch-up on the phone or Zoom can seem like a small gesture, but it’s really a big sign that shows you care. If you want to add a fun twist to your catch-up, why don’t you throw a virtual spa night? Have a cup of tea or your favourite glass of vino by your side while you treat yourselves to a luxurious face mask or mani-pedi as you chat away. Even if you haven’t spoken to your mother, sister, daughter, aunt, grandma or friend in a while, sometimes the best way to celebrate the women you love is telling them how much they mean to you.

Holly: Why my Aunty inspires me

My Aunty has always been a really important part of my life, almost like a second mum as she practically raised me with my Granny. Last year she decided to retire early when the pandemic hit but has since then been spending her time volunteering to help people in her community who need it and more recently she’s been helping out at her local vaccine station. Her generosity constantly inspires us!

Idea #2 Stand together with women

Holly’s aunt shows the importance of community and giving back to the people we care about. We can do the same for the women in our lives, whether family, friends or colleagues. In a society that tends to pit women against each other, it’s time that we challenged this mind-set and sent it back to the dark ages. Instead of reacting to a woman’s success with jealousy, celebrate it with them. If you see a woman facing sexist behaviour at work, stand up for them and call it out.

You don’t need to be a woman to show you’re an ally for women’s rights. Whether it’s through educating yourself through a virtual feminist seminar, reading books about women in history or donating to a woman’s rights charity, these acts of support can be enough to show not just the women you love, but all women that you celebrate them.

Tasha: Why my Mum is my inspiration

My mum has been working her usual hours throughout this whole pandemic. As soon as she heard that the local community was short on some supplies last year, she got her very old sewing machine out (I'm pretty sure it's nearly as old as me!) and made countless masks, head bands ‘with buttons to attach onto the mask elastics,’ some bags, and even challenged herself to make a pair of scrubs from scratch to send to Stoke Mandeville hospital.

Idea #3 Give them a present (with a personal touch!)

As Tasha’s mum shows, one of the simplest and best ways to celebrate the women you love is giving them a present. To take it a step further, give them a present with a personalised touch. Why? It shows how well you know them and how much they matter to you. Sometimes it can be something as simple as sending a bouquet of their favourite flowers. If you want to be more creative in your gift giving, why not make a hamper with some of your loved one’s favourite hair care products? Brands such as Maria Nila and Redken offer luxurious hair care collections tailored to specific hair types and textures that will leave the women you love looking and feeling beautiful.

We at Salon Services believe every woman should express herself through the power of hair and beauty. Whether it’s through a chic manicure, a luxurious skin-care routine or a fun hair colour, we offer the tools that allow all women to unleash their inner creativity. Regardless of age, race, sexuality or background, International Women’s Day is all about empowerment, and our biggest goal at Salon Services is to inspire and support women to be the best version of themselves without judgement.