International Women's Day, held on March 8 every year, is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender equality.
IWD has occurred for well over a century, with the first IWD gathering in 1911 supported by over a million people. Today, IWD belongs to all groups collectively everywhere. IWD is not country, group or organization specific. IWD is a movement, powered by the collective efforts of all.
In 2026 it is clear that much progress has been made in the pursuit of rights for women across the world. However, it is clear that such progress hasn’t been felt by every woman, and there are disturbing trends illustrating an attack against hard-won and established rights, combined with attempts to make women and their contributions more silent and less visible.
In turbulent times such as these, women need courageous allies who can use their (relative) privilege to advocate on behalf of all women while understanding the interactions between gender and other protected characteristics such as race, social class, age, religion or belief, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity and age. Allies will help women ensure that these rights aren’t lost and are strengthened for all women.
Nottinghamshire Law Society has a long, proud history in supporting women within the local legal profession and we are very lucky to have so many brilliant women as part of Council, its sub-committees and its wider membership.
Today we are sharing a few of these bright voices, all of whom are not only amazing women in their own right, they are also always willing to lower the ladder to help another woman find her way up. We have asked them to share what IWD means to them.
This International Women’s Day I hope we remember that as women we are many, we are diverse, we are powerful, and we are always stronger together.
Happy International Women’s Day 2026!
Sarah Singh
Co-Chair of NLS EDI Committee
Our Survey
Holly Setchfield from Ellis-Fermor Negus
Who is the most inspiring woman in your life or career, and what impact has she had on you?
My Grandma is the most inspiring woman in my life, she is 97 and her resilience is commendable, she recently broke her leg and was in critical care, she is now home and making progress back to normality. She is fiercely independent, incredibly brave and strong minded and has taught me a lot about life and the battles we all face.
What does International Women's Day mean to you personally or professionally?
I qualified three years ago on International Women's Day, so for me it is an all round special day. I am dyslexic and was told by my 6th form tutors and peers I would never be able to go to University and was not the 'right type of person' to study law or be a Solicitor. To be a Woman in the legal industry who has defied the odds is an incredible achievement.
What advice would you give to the next generation of women entering the legal profession?
Never give up and always ask for help. There is a reason you have the passion for this career and someone one day will be glad you are their lawyer.
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Alison Ward from MJC Law
Who is the most inspiring woman in your life or career, and what impact has she had on you?
My mum as she believed in me whole heartedly and I could feel that, and it gave me strength.
What does International Women's Day mean to you personally or professionally?
An opportunity to celebrate all of the fantastic women I know and a reminder of how far women's rights have come and how far there is still to go.
What advice would you give to the next generation of women entering the legal profession?
Be true to yourself and remember you have as much right to be here as anyone else.
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Grace Fashanu - Nelsons Solicitors
Who is the most inspiring woman in your life or career, and what impact has she had on you?
My mum is the most inspiring woman in my life. Her resilience, strength, faith and quiet determination have shaped who I am both personally and professionally. She has always shown me what it means to work hard, stay grounded, and lead with compassion — both within her family and in her community and workplace. Watching her navigate challenges as a young Black woman whose family migrated to the United Kingdom in the 1970s, and doing so with such grace, has taught me to remain steady under pressure. It’s a lesson that has proved invaluable throughout my legal career.
What does International Women's Day mean to you personally or professionally?
International Women’s Day is a moment to pause and celebrate the progress women have made, while also acknowledging how much more there is still to do. Personally, it reminds me of the sacrifices and strength of the women who came before me — especially my mum — and the importance of continuing to create space and opportunities for those who follow. Professionally, it’s a chance to reflect on representation in the legal sector and the responsibility we all have to champion equality, inclusion, and fairness.
What advice would you give to the next generation of women entering the legal profession?
My advice to the next generation of women in law is: back yourself, even when you’re the only woman in the room. Seek mentors, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to take up space. Your voice is valid, your perspective is valuable, and the profession needs you. Build your confidence, nurture your resilience, and trust that you belong here — because you do.
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Helen Dunn - MJC Law
Who is the most inspiring woman in your life or career, and what impact has she had on you?
The most inspiring woman in my life and career is Lauren Castle (née Crow).
Lauren is not only a director at MJC Law, but also a Council Member and Past President of the Nottinghamshire Law Society, where I also have the privilege of sitting on Council alongside her. Professionally, she is widely recognised for her expertise in Court of Protection and mental health law, and her commitment to legal aid is unwavering. The respect she commands across the legal profession speaks volumes about her integrity, ability and leadership.
However, what inspires me most is not simply her list of achievements, impressive as they are but how she conducts herself.
Lauren is the embodiment of being firm but fair. She is fearless when standing up for vulnerable clients, unafraid to challenge public bodies or judicial decisions where necessary, yet she does so with professionalism, preparation and respect. Watching her operate has taught me that strength does not need to be loud, and leadership does not need to be domineering. True authority comes from integrity, consistency and fairness.
On Council, I have seen her balance strong views with an openness to listen. At MJC Law, she leads with clarity and compassion. Across the wider profession, she is trusted because people know exactly where they stand with her. That consistency is rare and powerful.
On a personal level, she is also a dear and close friend. One moment that truly captured her character for me was when she completed a charity skydive. I remember thinking how unbelievably brave it was, and equally how utterly terrifying it must have felt. That willingness to step into something scary for a cause bigger than herself perfectly sums her up, courageous, purposeful and committed.
The impact she has had on me is profound. She has encouraged me to strive to be firm but fair in all aspects of life, professionally, personally and within leadership roles. She has shown me that you can be kind without being weak, decisive without being harsh, and ambitious without losing your values. Those qualities are exactly why she makes such an excellent judge and why her recent appointment was so richly deserved.
Lauren inspires not only through what she achieves, but through the energy, conviction and standards she brings into every room she walks into.
What does International Women's Day mean to you personally or professionally?
International Women’s Day, to me, is both a moment of reflection and a quiet reset.
Personally, it is a reminder of the women who shape my everyday life, colleagues, friends and family, who show resilience, humour and strength in ways that are not always visible from the outside. It makes me pause and properly acknowledge the impact women have had on my confidence, my standards and my sense of what is possible.
Professionally, it is about recognising progress but also recognising responsibility. I work in an environment where leadership, decision-making and influence matter. International Women’s Day is a reminder that representation is not just symbolic, it shapes culture. Sitting on Council, working within a profession that is evolving, and helping lead within my own organisation, I am conscious that how we show up creates permission for others.
For me, it is not about grand gestures. It is about everyday equity, being firm but fair, championing good practice, supporting wellbeing, and ensuring that younger women coming into the profession feel seen, capable and supported. It is about creating spaces where women can be ambitious without apology, strong without being labelled, and balanced without guilt.
International Women’s Day is also a reminder that strength comes in many forms. Sometimes it is loud and visible. Sometimes it is steady, consistent and behind the scenes. Both matter.
Ultimately, it means gratitude, to the women who have gone before us, responsibility for the standards we set now, and optimism for the generation coming next.
What advice would you give to the next generation of women entering the legal profession?
Imposter syndrome is real, and almost every capable woman in this profession experiences it at some point. My advice would be, do not let it get the better of you.
The fact that you question yourself often means you care. It does not mean you are not good enough. Trust that you have earned your place. You were appointed, promoted or qualified for a reason.
You will not know everything, none of us do. Confidence grows through preparation, experience and showing up consistently, not through having all the answers on day one.
Be firm but fair. Speak up when it matters. Ask questions without apology. And remind yourself, particularly on the hard days, that you are more capable than the voice of doubt suggests.
In time, your confidence will catch up with your competence, and you will realise you belonged all along. You got this!
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Sarah Singh - Rothera Bray LLP
Who is the most inspiring woman in your life or career, and what impact has she had on you?
My mum is the strongest and kindest person I have ever known and I am so incredibly grateful to her for her constant love and guidance.
Our CEO, Christina Yardley, inspires me every day, she is a brilliant, thoughtful leader of our firm and I am so thankful for her mentorship and guidance.
Maya Angelou is the woman I always go to for philosophical inspiration. Her craft of words, both poetry and prose, encapsulate the power of women.
What does International Women's Day mean to you personally or professionally?
It is a chance to reflect on where we have come from and what we next need to focus on whilst ensuring we don’t lose battles that have already been fought and won.
It is a chance for me to check my own privilege and use it in ways to help ensure all women are protected and supported in this world.
What advice would you give to the next generation of women entering the legal profession?
The legal profession needs you and your unique voice and contribution. Please never be afraid to be a beginner and do ask for help when you need it. There are many women already working in the profession who understand and know the reality of the struggle and are willing to help you to achieve your potential.
Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou
Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I’m telling lies.
I say,
It’s in the reach of my arms,
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It’s the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can’t touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them,
They say they still can’t see.
I say,
It’s in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
Now you understand
Just why my head’s not bowed.
I don’t shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing,
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It’s in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need for my care.
’Cause I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
Copyright Maya Angelou
