International Women's Day 2025

A tribute to my Mum: the woman who inspired me most 

On International Women’s Day, we celebrate the incredible women who have shaped our lives, lifted us up, and paved the way for a better world. For me, no one embodied the spirit of this day more than my mum. She was, without question, the best mother in the world. But it was only after her passing in 2020 that I truly understood the full extent of her impact – not just on me, but on so many others.

My mum dedicated her life to education, a career that was not just a job for her but a calling. She believed in the power of knowledge, not just to teach, but to transform lives. And that’s exactly what she did. Over the years, I have heard so many stories of the students she helped, encouraged, and even saved. Each story makes me prouder to have been raised by such an incredible woman.

The quiet strength of a life-changer

After she passed, I was contacted by one of her former students. This young woman told me that my mum had saved her life – words that stopped me in my tracks. She had been trapped in an abusive home, and it was my mum who had noticed the signs, reached out, and helped her find a way out. In a world where it is often easier to look away, my mum had chosen to act  

Another student shared how my mum had prevented her from being sent abroad to be married while she was still a child. It was my mum who had raised the alarm, made sure the right people were involved, and ultimately stopped the marriage from happening. Without my mum’s intervention, her life would have taken an entirely different path.

I received dozens of messages from her former students, all with stories of how she made a difference in their lives, I just wish I had known while she was still alive. I wish she knew that she was amazing.

These are just a couple of examples, but they highlight something important – my mum was more than just a teacher. She was a protector, an advocate, and a voice for those who needed one most.

A legacy of strength

My mum wasn’t the first strong woman in our family. She was raised by my grandmother, another force of nature. Between them, they instilled in me the values of resilience, kindness, and courage. I was lucky to be brought up in a home where women lifted each other up rather than competed, where strength was shown through both determination and compassion.

Growing up, I saw my mum balance everything – her career, our family, and her unwavering commitment to her students. She never complained, never sought recognition. She just did the right thing, over and over again, no matter how hard it was.

Lessons she left behind

Losing my mum was devastating, but in the years since, I’ve come to realize that she never truly left. She is in every act of kindness, every time I choose courage over fear, every moment I stand up for what is right.

She taught me:

• The power of education – Not just in books, but in knowing your worth, your rights, and your ability to change your own life.

• The importance of speaking up – Even when it’s uncomfortable, even when it’s dangerous.

• That kindness is a strength, not a weakness – She was proof that you could be both gentle and powerful.

Celebrating women like her

This International Women’s Day, I celebrate my mum. I celebrate the women like her – who don’t seek the spotlight, but whose quiet, everyday bravery changes lives.

I also celebrate the lessons she passed down to me, and the responsibility I feel to carry them forward. The best way I can honour her is by continuing her work, by standing up when something isn’t right, by being the kind of woman who lifts others up, just as she did.

To all the strong women – past, present, and future – thank you. You make the world a better place. And to my mum, thank you for everything. You will always be my greatest inspiration.

Danielle Lobban, Editor

 

International Women's Day is a celebration of the achievements of women and a call for a gender equal world.

 

Activity suggestion:

Write a short piece about a woman who inspires you. They could be someone you know or someone you have read or watched. Why do they inspire you? What is their story? What are their achievements? 

Dig a little deeper: How has their gender played a role in what they have been able to achieve? Would their story be different if they were a man?