International Women’s Day 2025: Who inspires you?

Tomorrow is International Women’s Day and to mark this important day we asked our four senior prefects to choose a woman who inspires them.

International Women’s Day was first introduced in 1909 and is held every year on 8 March, celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women across time.

Our senior prefects have chosen four excellent female role models. Read on to see who they chose and then have a think of someone who inspires you.

Head Girl Giada: Noor Inayat Khan (also known as Nora Baker) – despite being born into Indian royalty and raised on principles of non-violence, she became a British espionage agent who served in the SOE. The purpose of SOE was to conduct espionage in countries occupied by the Axis powers, particularly those occupied by Nazi Germany. She became the first female wireless operator to be sent from the UK into occupied France to aid the French Resistance during the Second World War. Despite the danger, she refused to abandon her post, transferring intelligence even after her entire network was captured. Eventually Baker was betrayed and imprisoned, enduring months of torture by the Gestapo – without revealing any information to her enemies. Shortly later, Baker was executed at Dachau at the age of 30 and the last thing to leave her lips was the word “liberté.” Baker’s bravery and loyalty made her one of the most dependable, intelligent and inspirational women of her time.

Head Boy Felix: Serena Williams – is one of the greatest tennis players of all time, with 23 Grand Slams in all forms of tennis. She is not just a role model for all athletes but for all people. She led the way alongside her sister with their efforts to ensure that Wimbledon’s prize money for males and females became equal, alongside paving the way to better diversity in tennis. Serena Williams has also worked with UNICEF to provide education to the most vulnerable children in Africa. She is inspirational as she has partnered one of the greatest tennis careers of all time alongside doing endless work for charities and paving the way towards equality in sports.

Deputy Head Girl Charlotte: Yip Wing-sie – as music director of the Hong Kong Sinfonietta from 2002 to 2020, she is a pioneer in classical music education for children, often using her concerts to introduce the world of music in fun and accessible ways. She inspires many girls in Hong Kong (including myself) who grew up attending her concerts and listening to her orchestral recordings to persevere in their passions.

Deputy Head Boy Louis: Mother Theresa – an inspiration known globally for her advocacy of compassion and kindness. Irrespective of religion, Mother Theresa’s service to the poor and her humility can serve as a reminder to us all to put others ahead of ourselves. In an increasingly competitive and brutal world Mother Theresa’s selflessness is something we can all strive to replicate.