March 8 is International Women’s Day, and what better way to mark the occasion than to highlight just some of the many Isle of Wight women dreaming big and making a difference.
From community champions to masters of music, these women have been making a serious splash this year.
Here, we are shining the spotlight on a handful of the many women giving the Isle of Wight its good name.
From sport to community and from charity to education, we're celebrating women!
Clare Griffin
The humble centre manager led the community in establishing the West Wight Coronavirus Support hub and worked with community members to establish ‘Our Place’ — a drop in cafe to support vulnerable members of the community.
Clare has managed the centre for more than 30 years and has overseen its development from a single swimming pool to the unique community hub it is today.
She is also chairman of West Wight Swimming Club, an event director for the Isle of Wight Festival of Running and was the Sunday Times’ grassroots sportswoman of the year in 2019.
“It’s fantastic to see girls and women now being accepted in all sports, and for women’s football in particular to be mainstream,” said Clare.
“There’s still a way to go, and I believe the Isle of Wight lags well behind the rest of the country.
“Old fashioned attitudes toward women’s sport persist, and unconsciously men’s sport continues to be given more prominence.
“It's up to girls to change those attitudes and continue to break down those biases, and for older women to help them by setting an example and not being intimidated by historical bias.
“Lift weights, box, run ultras, play rugby and football - all things I couldn’t do growing up.
“But also dance, swim, play netball, hockey and tennis; in fact, do it all, because you can, and don't let anyone try to stop you!”
Rachel Thomson
The brains behind vital community hub Pan Together, Rachel has spent more than 30 years of her working life in the voluntary and community sector.
She has worked for four charities in all: two on the mainland, and two on the Isle of Wight.
“I chose this career path because I've always wanted to make a difference,” said Rachel.
“And at Pan Together, I really believe we're doing that more so now than ever.
“Aim high. Believe in yourself. Have confidence that you're doing the right thing, whatever some people might say.
“And, most of all, do everything as well as you possibly can in the circumstances.
“If you don't ask, it won’t happen. But if you do ask, it might.”
Kay Marriott
High Sheriff for the Isle of Wight, Kay Marriott was born on the Island, and educated at Cowes High School.
She became a qualified nurse in 1978, and later became head of nursing and clinical director for the then Community Directorate on the Island.
“As a student nurse, training on the Island, my tutor told me they would be honoured to have me care for any of their family,” said Kay.
“That stayed with me, and I interpret this as everyone, regardless of their background, should be treated fairly, with kindness and respect.
“Sometimes, it is difficult to know how to access opportunities, so it is important to ask, to research, and to have an open mind that anything is achievable.
“Be inquisitive, be confident, believe in yourself. Ignore those nagging negative thoughts.
“Positive role models help give you that confidence to grasp those opportunities.
“I have had amazing career and achieved more than I ever would have thought, and my hope is to Inspire young people to aspire.”
Who have we missed out on International Women's Day?
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Victoria Dunford
MAD-Aid in the UK was founded in 2012 and is steered by the dedicated energy of Victoria Dunford and her fantastic team of volunteers.
Victoria’s tasks include everything from managing the organisation, fundraising, organising events, managing the programmes, loading, and unloading tonnes of aid, setting up programmes in Moldova, and managing the staff there.
“We are privileged to live in times when we have equal rights,” said Victoria.
“And with that comes the responsibility, too.
“Everything is possible if you believe in it, work hard with passion and determination.
“Every woman is strong, empathic, and with great attention to details, which are good qualities to be a leader in your chosen field.”
Boe Howell
Surfing extraordinaire, Boe really has been making waves – or rather, riding them.
The precocious talent has learnt from the best; her father, Nigel, being a windsurfer.
Boe has just been selected for the Surfing England 2023 squad, where she will train as part of a team which will include professional skateboarder and surfer Sky Brown.
“It’s an amazing achievement, especially for a local surfer who has to travel a huge amount for competitions and training,” said Nigel.
“Boe will be competing in the Rip Curl Grom Search in March, the English Nationals in May, and the Boardmasters WSL in August – all the while studying for her GCSEs.
“For 2023/24 season, Boe plans to surf and travel more, and hopes to eventually compete in some international events in the future.”
Kirsty Chapman
Last year, Kirsty launched the Better Days Cafe in Ventnor – an inclusion hub where Islanders with mental health issues and learning disabilities could train and be offered work.
The hub provides a safe, warm space, offering mental health support, workshops, and advice for anyone who feels 'invisible', or who struggles with the challenges of everyday life.
Kirsty was successful in rallying support from a team of volunteers, and in November, Jonathan Frost – Bishop of Portsmouth – paid the cafe a visit.
He said he had heard about the Better Days Cafe and wanted to see it first-hand.
Then, in January of this year, Kirsty and her team provided free tea and toast to children after school.
They could choose to get their homework done in the comfortable warm surroundings, play games, chat or just relax.
Wet Leg
It’s been quite the year for Rhian Teasdale, Hester Chambers, and their band Wet Leg.
The Isle of Wight pair crowned their breakout year with two BRIT Awards during a special ceremony at The O2 Arena in London in February.
The Isle of Wight Indie rock band had been nominated four times, the most of any act at the ceremony, bar one; superstar, Harry Styles.
The dynamic due also bagged themselves two prizes at the annual Grammy Awards show in Los Angeles, for Best Alternative Music Album and Best Alternative Music Performance.
A tour in support of Harry Styles will see them perform across Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
Lauran Hibberd
Wet Leg are far from the only Isle of Wight musicians making waves recently.
Lauran Hibberd released her debut album Garageband Superstar last year, which made top 40 in the UK charts.
It was a ‘bittersweet’ moment for Lauran, who lost her beloved father Martin White the same year.
The singer-songwriter signed for Virgin Records in 2019 and made sure she had a few years under her belt, gigging and releasing, before dropping her first album.
Her hard work certainly paid off, and Lauran hit the road to promote her brain baby.
She described the album as a nod to all of her favourite 90s sub-genres, and the soundtrack to your next favourite trash TV show that no one else gets but you.
Donna Langley
The Isle of Wight music executive received her damehood from Prince Charles in July of last year, for services to film and entertainment.
The most senior honour in the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire was bestowed on the former Lake Middle School and Carisbrooke High School pupil, who is chair of Universal Filmed Entertainment Group.
She originally arrived in Los Angeles with no credentials or connections, and rose to become a major Hollywood movie executive, becoming the first British woman to head a major film studio.
She has been with Universal since 2001 and became chair of the Universal Filmed Entertainment Group in 2019.
Susie Sheldon
The Lord-Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight, Susie Sheldon has held her station since 2019.
Starting her career as a chartered accountant, she took over the family farm at Kings Manor near Freshwater with her husband Jamie in 1994.
Susie has been involved with many local charities and youth organisations over the years – particularly those associated with sailing, tennis, music and riding.
She was instrumental in founding the Isle of Wight Sports Foundation and the Royal Yacht Squadron Isle of Wight Foundation and became trustee and chairman of both charities.
In 2011, she became the High Sheriff for the Isle of Wight, and held the title of Deputy-Lieutenant a year later.
Rachel Kitley
Rachel Kitley is the principal at Cowes Enterprise College.
Aside from teaching, she has long shared advice, guidance and best practice across the sector, including speaking on panels, presenting and regularly writing for the TES, and writing curriculum resources for Heinemann.
Rachel also currently sits on a Government Taskforce for National Shipbuilding Skills.
She said: “The Isle of Wight is home to so many intelligent, innovative and compassionate young women, and I feel very proud to know lots of them.
"A key part of International Women’s Day is about celebrating the strong community of women around us and making sure we continue to support each and every one of them to ensure they have the tools to thrive in whatever it is they want to achieve.
“This International Women’s Day, I would encourage the young women on the Island to consider how they want to make their mark by championing the things which are most important to them.”
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