We might not be able to light Kenilworth up in purple as per the London Eye this year for International Women’s Day.   But we’ll do our best to follow this year’s theme of #InspireInclusion with our decorations on the benches in Abbey Fields.

So why purple for International Women’s Day?

Bit of history here, it all started with the Suffragette movement who chose Purple to represent the colour of Royal blood flowing through their veins – surely very dramatic!   These days it is associated with dignity and justice.

So why the theme #InspireInclusion ?

The emphasis this year is for us to inspire women and support them to feel more included in what ever part of the world they live in.   The more groups that stand up for this, the sooner women can reach their full potential.   You can read more about this by clicking on this link International Women’s Day 

Perhaps you’d like to organise something Purple next year with your friends and colleagues.

So who can you read about on the Purple Park benches this year?

We hope that you have the chance to stroll around Abbey Fields and view the benches, they’re easy to spot with the all of the purple décor!

Here’s just a few examples of women we think will inspire you, and support you to feel more included in your community.

Maggie Kuhn originally said these wise words.   An ardent activist for the rights of older people and those with mental health problems, she started the Grey Panther movement on being forced to retire at 65.

Ruth Bader Ginsberg another campaigner for women’s rights acknowledged Maggie Kuhn’s quote

And our own National Treasure Dame Maggie Smith is associated with the statement !   Might be worth practising on International Women’s Day with the support of your sisters!

Our very own local heroine, Mary Anne Evans gave us this.   You can’t help but feel that the world would be a much better place if this was more widely practised.

“Here’s to all disabled girls who are trying to love their bodies in a
world that constantly tells them not to.”
Ruth Madeley. English actress known for roles in Years and Years and Dr Who
Born with Spina Bifida, Ruth is a wheelchair user.

Apparently when Ruth went for her audition for Years and Years, Russell T Davies changed the script to include a wheelchair user.   Clearly a woman of character and influence who inspires this year’s International Women’s Day motto  #InspireInclusion

Verna Myers is a diversity consultant.  She has long led the campaign against conscious and unconscious bias that create barriers to race, gender, ethnicity and sexual orientation, especially in the workplace.   You can catch her TED talk on the subject by clicking this link Vernā Myers | Speaker | TED

Francesca Martinez, English comedian, writer and actress. She has cerebral palsy but prefers to describe herself as ‘wobbly’.

Last but by no means least, one of our newest National Treasures

Which is your favourite?

Maybe one of these?   Or maybe one of the inspirational inclusive quotes you read on the benches decorated in purple for International Women’s Day.   We’d love to hear from you.   You can contact us via the website, Facebook or Instagram