As I write, organised Global Events are taking place in honour of this special day.

Women in the world continue to affect a sea of change.

Let us remember and be proud – we are at the core of every society.

We are strong, resilient, and empowering influencers.

In the shower this morning I thought about the first woman who inspired me. It was my Irish grandmother. A tailor and a lacemaker, she worked relentlessly into her late 70’s.

I spent my summer holidays at her house in Kinsale Co. Cork. She allowed me to be who I needed to be away from the imposed restrictions of a convent education in Dublin.

She was calm, measured and shared her knowledge. I never heard her raise her voice or speak ill of anyone. When I was with her, I felt loved and secure.

My grandmother continued to support me throughout my childhood and into my teens. She encouraged me to embrace being different and accepted I could not be put in a box with a label on it!

Supporting my dreams, she acted as ‘mediator’ between my parents and myself.

Those precious months with my grandmother helped me formulate a ‘get up and go, can do’ positive attitude to life.

It’s been a long and well-travelled road of learning. It has brought me to here. I have become a confident, self-assured woman who values who I am.
I honour what I have achieved and I ensure I reach out to others too.

I remain grateful to my grandmother for her wisdom, her love and belief in me. She was one of the most important and influential women who will remain forever in my heart.
I continue to feel connected to her in the decisions I make daily. She sits on my shoulder and reminds me of my responsibilities as an author, storyteller and speaker.

Whatever gender, let us unconditionally support each other. Enjoy the ‘Quality that Equality brings.’ Significant in our strength and resilience, together let’s pass on a healthy legacy of collaboration and ongoing change for generations to come.

Listen to Miriam’s video and her inspirational Grandmother