Happy International Women’s Day!! It’s a day to acknowledge the great achievements made by the foremothers that came before us but also (on a lesser scale but just as important) a time to celebrate and empower the women apart our lives. And as we are able to interact face to face again this year, we now have to opportunity to dare be inspired by our Sheroes up-close in person. So you better believe London’s got a bunch of amazing events coming up this month for International Women’s Day!

Women of the World Festival (11th – 13th March)

This weekend features ‘the world’s biggest, most comprehensive festival celebrating women, girls, and non-binary people’, WOW – Women of the World. This in-person event is taking over the Southbank Centre to celebrate International Women’s Day and brings together activists, musicians, comedians, writers, and other distinguished speakers for three days of invigorating conversations, workshops, and performances.

This year’s impressive lineup includes Booker Prize-winning author Bernardine Evaristo, ‘The Guilty Feminist’ podcaster Deborah Frances-White, and – not to mention – Legendary activist Angela Davis who will be joining the festival on Sunday evening via a live link-up from San Francisco.

International Women’s Day at The National Gallery (8th – 10th March)

International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month are being commemorated at the National Gallery of Art with a series of online events honouring women in the arts. A discussion on how women artists have connected with the national collection, as well as a talk on art historian Anna Jameson’s involvement in the reception of Raphael’s work in the nineteenth century, are among the highlights.

The Camera is Ours: Britain’s Women Documentary Makers (Until March 15th)

This film season, which runs from March 3 to 15, focuses on Britain’s pioneering female documentary filmmakers. It includes ten new BFI National Archive film restorations, including works by Ruby and Marion Grierson, Evelyn Spice, and Muriel Box, as well as a study day dedicated to Jill Craigie, Britain’s ‘first’ woman director. Andrea Arnold (‘Cow,’ Waad Al-Kateab (‘For Sama,’ and Rubika Shah (‘White Riot,’ among others) will make special appearances. If you’re interested, check out the entire program of screenings and events on the BFI website.

International Women’s day at The Distillery Bankside (8th – 24th March)

The Distillery Bankside at Hilton London Bankside is teaming up with female-owned DJ booking service Bookd: Music In A Click to present a series of free female DJ sets in honour of women in the music business on International Women’s Day. There will be an extensive drink, wine, and craft beer menu available to savour while dancing, as well as a food menu if you need to refuel before busting those moves. Lara Fraser and Laura Pradelska, a DJ combo, will kick off the celebrations, with more artists for the rest of the series to be revealed later.

Simple Things to Celebrate the Women in Your Community

I felt that this list wouldn’t be complete without also giving you some helpful and creative ways how to celebrate and support the women in your community; After all, where would you be without them? So here’s a quick list of nice things you can do for/with those special women around you:

1. Support Women Owned Businesses

Supporting businesses owned, operated, and controlled by women helps to contribute to an equal economic environment, representative products &s services, opportunities, and an overall prosperous economy. So this International Women’s Day “Vote with your dollar” by actively seeking out Woman-owned businesses in your local community.

2. Start a Book Club

Why not start a book club – with close friends, family members, those in your community, or even your work colleagues – that focuses on educating on women’s issues, empowerment, and achievements. 

3. Donate to Charity

Consider giving to a nonprofit organisation that supports women, either locally or internationally, if you’re searching for a way to make a difference in a good cause this March.

5. Acknowledge the Awesome Women in Your Life

A small gift, words of encouragement, or even a simple text. Sometimes it’s the little things that can go a long way in lifting up someone’s spirits and inspiring them to keep going. So whether it’s your mum, grandma, sister, daughter, friend, or girlfriend – send them an empowering message to brighten up their day!