Hi Everyone!
Where does the time go? I’m sure many of us are asking the same question as 2025 approaches. I know I am! While 2024 has seemingly whizzed by, it’s amazing how much the AW80W project has achieved in the past few months. Yet, before I go on a whistle-stop tour of the year that was, let me reveal what’s been happening since my previous update.
December Update
I said in my last update I wasn’t ready to slow down and even though it’s been a busy time (with a dose of winter sniffles thrown into the mix), I’m still happy with the progress AW80W has made.
Two amazing new stories were published on Medium via Fourth Wave in December and I’m over the moon with how they turned out:
- Em’s story from England, UK, is a thoughtful piece about art’s ability to move individuals and how it can be used as a therapeutic tool. Her story also discusses navigating the aging process as a woman; with women often being the primary caregivers to children and aging relatives:
- Hannah’s story from Arkansas, USA, presents an eye-opening account of recent health statistics and makes businesses like Heart Health Coaches, which Hannah set up following many years as a nurse practitioner in the US healthcare system, all the more essential. Hannah also discusses how growing up in a small Christian community shaped who she is today:
Gazing Back in Happiness
To riff off the Oasis lyrics ‘Don’t look back in anger’, I’m gazing back on 2024 (and the origins of AW80W) with incredible happiness.
At the end of June, I published the first AW80W article introducing the project and it’s been a whirlwind ever since! In July I set up this website and published my first AW80W stories. I also uploaded my first behind-the-scenes blog post and information on taking part!
Throughout August and September, I conducted many interviews with extraordinary women and began a writing sprint. that lasted throughout October and November. At the end of December, the AW80W project enjoyed a much needed break for the holidays.
I can’t believe how much I’ve achieved in only a few months and I’m looking forward to what 2025 has in store.
One thing’s for sure – none of this would have been possible without the generous contribution of some amazing women.
Powered by Women
Initially drawing on existing contacts that I knew had fascinating stories, I cast my net wider by advertising the AW80W project on Connectively and setting up this website.
The response has been overwhelming and all without social media!
I’ve interviewed women from as close to home as England in the UK, to as far away from me as Somalia, Indonesia, India, and Canada. To date, I’ve published twelve stories and I’m drafting many more as we enter 2025. It’s hard work but incredibly rewarding!
All Women Welcome
As always, I’m open to women contacting me to share their stories, and the term ’women’ is used in its most inclusive sense.
I’d love to hear your story so don’t hesitate to email me at AW80W.project@gmail.com or use the contact form on this website.
I particularly encourage those from underrepresented or marginalised groups to take part. As many diverse voices as possible need to be heard.
Thank you for reading and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Take care,
Rachel 🙂
