On Saturday 7th March, West Mercia Women’s Aid in partnership with Herefordshire Women’s Equality Group hosted an event to mark International Women’s Day. The theme of the event was “Standing Our Ground.” With an aim to not only celebrate the strength and achievements of women, but also to highlight the continued need to protect our rights and push forward rather than allow setbacks to take hold.
Across the world, we have all witnessed women’s rights being restricted, rolled back, or removed entirely. These realities make it more important than ever to come together, raise our voices, and defend the hard-won progress that women and girls rely on. While International Women’s Day is a time for celebration, it is also a reminder of why the day still matters – and why feminism remains essential.
It was an honour to welcome speaker, Rosemary Sales, whose story of resilience, leadership, and adventure resonated deeply with those in attendance. Determined to go beyond the ordinary, she inspires others while challenging herself. Founder of the Wye Knott Community, she leads wilderness adventures for women and intergenerational wellbeing sessions rooted in shared outdoor experience. In Spring 2025 Rosemary joined a canoeing expedition to Mongolia, journeying along rivers rarely visited, let alone travelled. Her book LIFE MAP TO MONGOLIA weaves together family, friends, travel and reflection, illustrated with expedition photographs, and stands as a remarkable achievement within an already extraordinary life story.
The event also included a wonderful showcase of work from students at Herefordshire College of Arts, who responded thoughtfully to the theme Standing Our Ground. Their collective piece added another powerful layer of reflection and expression to the event.
The community response to the “I value my right to…” initiative was both moving and inspiring. Participants shared personal reflections on the rights that matter most to them, creating a meaningful collective presentation and a lasting legacy that will continue to resonate beyond the day itself. You can view the presentation here.
A huge thank you to everyone who helped make the day such a success – from those who attended and our fantastic stall holders, to the organising group who brought the event to life, and the team at The Kindle Centre for hosting us. We are so grateful to all those who donated to our raffle including two WMWA supporters, Kim Whitby who donated a beautiful painting and John Gormley who donated an amazing handmade necklace.
Events like Standing Our Ground remind us of the importance of coming together – to celebrate, to reflect, and to stand in solidarity. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who attended, contributed, and supported the event in so many ways.
WMWA Choir after their performance.
