The person I’ve chosen to talk about who inspires me this International Women's Day is Hannah Spencer of the Green Party.
A plumber by trade, Hannah has spent years juggling her political career with fixing pipes and toilets during the week; despite the immensely heavy workload she puts herself through, at the end of February she made history for her party by winning the Gorton and Denton by-election.
Hannah’s victory is massive in itself, but I think what’s most inspirational is the path she’s taken to achieving it - politics can seem dominated by career politicians, but Hannah has blown that out the water, showing that ordinary working people (in Hannah’s case as well, a woman in a male-dominated trade) absolutely deserve a place in politics.
To balance hands-on practical work with the intense campaigning and community engagement she does takes resilience and determination, and that’s why Hannah Spencer inspires me.
For me, when I think of inspirational women, I think of someone who advocates for what they believe in, regardless of the opposition they face.
Malala Yousafzai is a prime example of this. From learning about her story in citizenship class in school, her tenacity in fighting for girls’ right to an education has stuck with me.
At the age of 15, she was nearly murdered when she walked home from school. Her ability not only to survive such a distressing event but to come back from it and use it as a catalyst to stand up for her cause is even more inspiring.
Her activism has led to her becoming the youngest Nobel Peace Prize laureate and also the creation of the ‘Malala Fund’ to aid in campaigning for girls’ access to education. These milestones put her dedication to her cause into perspective and kindle an immense amount of admiration for Malala, as her cause is something she will never stop fighting for.
Malala’s work reminds me how fortunate others, including myself, are to receive education. Additionally, it inspires me to keep trying my best in every pursuit of my life and helps me to understand that I also have the capacity to create meaningful change.
My inspirational woman is Georgia Harrison, as her courage and determination deserves to be celebrated.
She uses her voice and personal experiences to campaign against violence towards women and girls, helping to shape conversations around online safety by working with the UK government on the Online Safety Act in 2023 and being part of the Women and Equalities Committee.
I really admire how she uses her platform and large following in a positive way, raising awareness of cybercrime against women and advocating for protection and support for those affected.
This International Women’s Day, I want to honour Mata Gujri Ji, a woman who is a deeply respected figure in Sikh history and a powerful example of strength, faith, and resilience.
Mata Gujri Ji lived in 17th-century India during a time of religious conflict. She was the mother of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, and the grandmother of two young boys who are remembered for their bravery. In 1705, she and her grandsons were captured and imprisoned in a freezing tower. The boys, aged just nine and seven, were pressured to give up their faith in exchange for safety. Despite their age and the harsh conditions, they refused.
What inspires me most is Mata Gujri Ji’s resilience. Despite the fear and uncertainty, she faced, she remained calm and spiritually strong, supporting her grandsons through unimaginable circumstances. Her response reflects a Sikh principle called “Chardi Kala”, which is a state of eternal optimism, high spirits, and unwavering resilience, even during immense adversity
For me, her story is not only about history or religion. It is about courage, dignity, and standing by your values when it is difficult. This International Women’s Day, I am reminded that true strength is often quiet and that resilience can leave a legacy that lasts for generations.
The woman who inspires me the most is my mum, Sarah.
She is the strongest woman I know, and she is my best friend. She has brought me up to be the independent woman I am; to stand up for myself and to have the confidence to believe I can achieve anything I set my mind to.
Over the last year she has dealt with some health issues and operations. Despite the uncertainty and challenges, she handled everything with incredible strength and remained positive throughout, showing her true resilience and courage. Watching her through all this has taught me how to stay positive even when times are tough.
She is the woman who inspires me the most and I am so lucky to have her as my mum.
The woman who has had a significant influence on my life is a YouTuber from Japan named Miku.
She creates lifestyle videos, and I began following her because I was drawn to her thoughtful and well-curated content.
What impressed me most was not just how she shared her daily life, but the way she thinks and the attitude she brings to everything she does. Her calm confidence and intentional way of living made me reflect on my own life choices.
Through watching her videos, I gradually realized that lifestyle content can be more than simple routines—it can express values, mindset, and personal growth.
She showed me that ordinary days can become meaningful when you approach them with awareness and purpose. Inspired by her, I started to think about my own experiences and perspectives.
Eventually, that motivation led me to begin filming and sharing my own videos, hoping to communicate my lifestyle and ideas in a similarly honest way.