International Women's Day 8th March: the most influential people in our lives

This year’s International Women’s Day #iwd2020 campaign, #EachForEqual, draws attention to the difference individuals can make.

As we celebrate the event on Sunday 8th March, we thought we’d get the take from the RedLaw Recruitment team on who has made a difference or a positive impact on their lives.

Whether inspiring them within their professional lives, a respected member of their community, someone who has given meaningful life advice or just someone who enriches their life in some way, brightens their day, challenges their way of thinking.

Here's what members from our team had to say...

Mark Neal, Associate Director and Head of our Business Services Team

The most inspirational woman in my life is my mum! Old school East Ender, my mum gave up her career in the City of London to raise 3 boys (me included of course). She always said that being a full-time mother to 3 boys was more challenging than working full-time in London.

What did I learn from my mum? She taught me that to be successful in life, you have to earn it! Work ethic and attitude, always be the hardest worker in the room.

The one quote that will live with me forever......... "hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard!"

Amy Hambleton, Director

My Grandma (or Ah Mah as we called her) brought up 10 children on her own in Singapore through the Japanese invasion in WW2 and before Singapore became the modern country that it is today. As her dialect was a spoken one only, she also couldn’t read or write and had a very humble background and had to feed, educate and bring up her children in these circumstances. Her children and grandchildren have gone on to become judges, lawyers, teachers, founders of successful companies and valuable members of the community.

It's taught me that life may not always deal you a great set of cards, but being resourceful and working hard can lead to great success.

Scarlette Bagan, Head of Marketing & Business Development

Scarlett O'Hara from 'Gone With The Wind' would be a woman who has been an important part of my life - as I was named after her I was made to watch the film all the time!

Determination defines Scarlett O’Hara and drives her to achieve everything she desires, even during a war when she lost all of her money. She possessed remarkable talent for business and leadership when setting up her own business, in a time when it was a man’s world. Despite her sharp intelligence, she had almost no ability to understand the feelings of others. But in the end she proved that everyone can change and eventually see the light.

Even after her world was turned upside down the quote; “tomorrow is another day,” is something we can all use.

Jonathan Benjamin, Director

My grandma Freda who lived in the East End of London during the war whilst her husband was off fighting in the army. She ignored air raid sirens to go to a shelter with her family and carried on with a “get on with it” attitude. She went to bed each night not knowing if it would be her last with a bomb crashing through her roof! That same attitude carried her through her whole life right into her 90s (she alsmot made a 100) when she continued to get the bus to the supermarket to carry her shopping home each week even in heavy rain and snow.

Nothing stopped her doing what she wanted to do. She taught me in life you must have resilience and keep going, whatever the circumstances, and not let fear or uncertainty stop you doing anything.

Who has been the biggest inspiration in your life?