Hi Everyone! Is it just me, or is 2025 flying by, but February seems to have lasted forever? It’s a conundrum I can’t fathom, yet here we are.
After enjoying a lovely winter break at the end of December, I slowly eased back into writing mode throughout January and February (emphasis on slowly, as it’s difficult to feel motivated when the weather is so cold and grey here in Edinburgh).
Sneaky Getaway
I did enjoy a sneaky trip to Tenerife with my husband at the end of January, which was a great way to break up what has felt like an endless winter. Bonus: I got to celebrate my birthday there! If you’ve never been to Tenerife, I recommend visiting as we had such a lovely, relaxing time. One food item you shouldn’t pass up is their wrinkly potatoes with mojo sauce as this is a Canary Island specialty and is absolutely delicious.
Thoughtful Tales
However, before heading to Tenerife, I published a new and exciting AW80W article that shares Sudha’s story from India. In her article, Sudha discusses growing up in a conservative country where there is still pressure for women and girls to marry young. This did not fit Sudha’s career ambitions, so she made a drastic decision that allowed her to escape her family’s expectations and persistent ‘match-fixings.’ Read more here:
To mark the International Day of Women and Girls in Science on 11 February – which celebrated its tenth anniversary after being established by UNESCO in 2015 – I shared Nicole’s story of working in the tech industry in Canada.
Nicole discusses the challenges women face while pursuing careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and maths) while acknowledging some of the benefits women in tech experience. She also foregrounds the tragic story of the Montreal Massacre, which occurred in Canada in 1989. Find out more here:
Forward Thinking
Over the next few weeks, I’ll be working on Kira’s story from Ohio, USA, in which she shares her experiences of working with the LGBTQ+ community and individuals with neurodivergence in her capacity as a therapist.
Anyone who’s seen the news recently will understand how challenging the current US landscape is for anyone identifying as LGBTQ+, therefore, Kira’s narrative is all the more important and must be heard. I’m also on the threshold of hearing the stories of women from the Caribbean, Iran, and Macedonia so watch this space for further updates!
What Will Your Story Look Like?
As always, I encourage women to contact me to share their stories. Respect and tolerance are important to me, so 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. Diverse voices need to be heard.
Thank you for reading, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Take care,
Rachel : )
