The SHARP Agency — WHAT DOES INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY MEAN TO YOU?

5 min readApr 21, 2021

International Women’s Day is a movement that celebrates the fight for women’s rights all over the world, but it also addresses that change still needs to happen. #EachforEqual is the theme for this year — in 2020 there is still a huge problem with equal pay and inequality in general. We wanted to join the movement and celebrate the women here at SHARP.

We’re proud to be a female dominated agency in a male dominated world. Two of our three Partners are women and so are three quarters of our team.

This International Women’s Day we’ve asked all our incredible female team members what the day means to them…

Mandi Taylor — Co-founder & Planning Partner

“I grew up in South Africa where traditional family life, culture and business was heavily led by men; across Afrikaans, English and tribal communities. I celebrate the strong ZA female voices such as the author Nadine Gordimer — and more recently Vice Chancellor of UCT Prof Phakeng (mathematician and scientist who pledges % of her salary to fund postgrad students). I guess I’ve always been hyper-aware of the importance of balance between females and males everywhere. The shift is happening. Female leaders are emerging in households and businesses — building confidence with every step and demanding their voice is heard. This day reminds me of the imperative of ‘early’ in both developed and less developed nations. Little girls (and little boys) need to know as early as possible — they can be strong voices and leaders too and have the same chance to shape businesses, communities, culture and society. I certainly encourage my daughters to believe there are no barriers to be their best — and find that equal footing in this world”.

Vickie Button — Strategy and New Business Manager

“It’s about reminding us how far we’ve come but coming together to acknowledge and take action on how far we still have to go. Calling out unconscious bias. At SHARP two thirds of our board are female; empowered women whoempower women. I am lucky to be in a business that’s a living example of real progress towards gender equality. But then I read that overall there’s still an average 19% gender pay gap in our industry. Or something happens in society that makes me stop and go… wow. Like how Ant McPartlane was treated by the media and public vs how Caroline Flack was treated, following their respective (in Caroline’s case alleged) misdemeanours. Our fight continues, and International Women’s Day helps us to celebrate, then refocus and galvanise…”

Alice Broadbent — Account Director

“It’s a day to celebrate the women who changed the world and to inspire others to do the same.Emeline Pankhurst, Amelia Earhart, Rosa Parks, Yoko Ono, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Madonna, MalalaFor many different reasons the world as we know it would be a very different place without women like these forging the way”. #EachforEqual

Charlotte Callaghan — Design & Animation Intern

“It makes me feel determined to work harder, be successful and soak up everything I can from the women around me. I’m so lucky to be on placement at an agency where I’m
educated by talented and skillful women every single day. What I’ve learnt will stick with me forever and one day I’ll use these lessons to inspire young females in the creative industry”.

Helen Gomersall — Office Manager

“International Women’s Day stands out to me as a strong marker for the strength of womanhood.
It’s a day to reflect on what women have achieved over the years, and what we continue to achieve to this day. And how no matter what we should have the same rights, privileges and pay as men”. #EachforEqual

Ellie Evans — Junior Copywriter