Women in Livery and Diversity: Celebrating International Women’s Day – 8 March 2025

While the UK continues to move in the right direction regarding gender equality and women’s rights, many parts of the world are experiencing setbacks. The need to celebrate, inspire, and invest in women globally has never been greater. A staggering 130 million girls and young women are currently missing out on education due to poverty, child marriage, and gender-based violence.

IWD defines its mission as striving for a gender-equal world, free from bias, stereotypes, and discrimination—one that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive, where differences are valued and celebrated. The WILD Committee is proud to support this vital cause.

Celebrating Women Who Inspire Us

We extend our gratitude to everyone who has joined us in celebrating IWD. This includes insightful reflections from The Master, The Clerk, and Company members, who have shared stories of women who have influenced their lives.

A special mention goes to those who boldly took on the 2025 ‘Rosie the Riveter’ pose for our gallery, including The Master and The Mistress. The prominence of the colour purple in this campaign is no coincidence—for IWD, it symbolises justice, dignity, and unwavering commitment to the cause. Adding to the theme, we have included the much-loved poem “Warning: When I Am an Old Woman, I Shall Wear Purple”, reproduced with kind permission from Johnson & Alcock Ltd.

Master Charles Brooks – International Women’s Day, 8 March 2025

Mistress Penny Brooks – International Women’s Day, 8 March 2025

Upper Warden Sandra Raine – International Women’s Day, 8 March 2025

Retired Plumber Renter Warden Janet Rivers – International Women’s Day, 8 March 2025

Trevor Wilson – International Women’s Day, 8 March 2025

Sarah Oliver – International Women’s Day, 8 March 2025

Dr. Carol Joseph – International Women’s Day, 8 March 2025

Clerk Debbie Abergil – International Women’s Day, 8 March 2025

Barbara Cooper – International Women’s Day, 8 March 2025

Women Who Influenced My Life

To celebrate International Women’s Day, we invited five members of the Company to share stories of women who have influenced their lives. Women’s strength, leadership, and example manifest in many ways, and we hope these short reflections prove both insightful and inspiring.

Boudica – Master, Charles Brooks

Why Boudica? It dates back to the motto of my first form at junior school: “If a job is worth doing, it is worth doing well.”

Boudica (AD 60/61) felt wronged by the Romans, who ignored her late husband’s wishes to leave his kingdom jointly to their two daughters and the Roman Emperor.Allegedly flogged and her daughters assaulted, Boudica regrouped and led a fierce rebellion. Colchester, London, and St Albans were destroyed, and over 70,000 Romans and Britons perished before she was slain in battle. She even caused Emperor Nero to consider withdrawing all Imperial forces from Britain.

She became a national heroine and a symbol of justice and independence, standing against oppression and wrongdoing. A charismatic and engaging leader, whom people were willing to follow and die for—she would be my first dinner party invitee.

Family Friend Connie with husband Frank Butterfield – Past Master, Erica Stary

At the age of four, my mother passed away, leaving my father—a former serviceman—to raise me. Many of my childhood friends had also lost fathers in the war. Comparing our prosperous home to their poorer ones, I assumed that fathers worked while mothers stayed at home.

Years later, I realised my mother’s friend, Connie, actually worked. Her husband, Frank, a stockbroker, had become bedridden, and Connie took on the responsibility of earning. She passed stock exchange exams and contributed to the inclusion of women in the profession when the stock exchange amalgamated.

At 16, forced out of school, I pursued a legal apprenticeship and qualified as a lawyer. The reaction?“Why?” boys asked. “When we marry, I won’t let you work!”

Mother Teresa of Calcutta/Kolkata – Lvy. Melville Gumbs

One of the women who inspires me most is Mother Teresa (Mary Teresa Bojaxhiu), an Albanian-Indian Catholic nun. I first learned of her in my twenties and admired her fearlessness in challenging governments.

At 18, she moved to Ireland to join the Sisters of Loreto, later relocating to India, where she founded the Missionaries of Charity. Today, 5,750 nuns serve across 139 countries, running homes for HIV/AIDS patients, leprosy clinics, orphanages, soup kitchens, and schools.

Beyond vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience, her order is dedicated to “wholehearted free service to the poorest of the poor.”A Ramon Magsaysay Award and Nobel Peace Prize winner, she was canonised as Saint Teresa of Calcutta in 2016, with her feast day observed on 5 September.

My Two Grandmothers – Debbie Abergil, WCoP Clerk

I come from a long line of strong women.

My maternal grandmother played piano for silent movies and continued entertaining the elderly until nearly 90.

My paternal grandmother, a teacher, was evacuated from London in 1940. She later volunteered for the Red Cross in an American hospital. American service personnel often visited her home. When a black officer arrived and a white officer tried to leave, she insisted they shake hands as equals—a simple act that fostered mutual respect.

They taught me the value of staying youthful and brokering friendships.

My Mother, Pearl Netley – Lvy. Maria Netley

My mother, Pearl Netley, was the head teacher of a special needs school, supporting children with severe disabilities.

As the youngest of four siblings, I saw firsthand how she balanced a demanding career with family life. Despite returning to work when I started school, she always made us feel loved and supported.

She instilled in us the belief that education is the key to success and encouraged us to work hard, seize opportunities, and never give up. She was a pillar of strength, reminding us that being a girl made no difference—we could achieve anything we set our minds to.

She passed away on 26 May 2022, aged 91, but her legacy of resilience and encouragement will always remain with me.