This year’s International Women’s Day theme is all about accelerating action toward gender equality. And honestly?
We need it now.
According to the World Economic Forum, at the current rate of progress, it’s going to take until 2158 (five generations from now???) for gender equality to be achieved.
During this campaign, worldwide acceleration is necessary to address personal and professional struggles women face everyday. To highlight this, we have partnered up with some inspirational women to hear stories about their incredible careers, and how their journeys have accelerated action for women.
Although progress has increased, it still isn’t good enough (nevermind equal). In 1970, women made up just 4% of senior leadership roles in the UK, by 2023 the number has increased to 38% which is gorgeous, but simply NOT ENOUGH.
We have interviewed three women close to our community who are simply incredible.
- Paige Williams, ex-professional footballer and fire service station manager.
- Lois Balshaw, women’s health advocate and founder of The Code Red Club.
- Olivia Mae Hanlon, founder and CEO of Girls in Marketing.
Their career progression and successes are stories we cannot wait to explore.
Paige Williams
1. What is your favourite thing about being a woman in the fire service?
There is so much I enjoy about working for Merseyside fire and rescue service and it’s a privilege to be able to serve our community. The feeling of being able to help someone when they are having their worst day is something I will always be proud of. Being a woman in the fire service is fortunately becoming less of a rarity as 14% of firefighters in Merseyside are now female! I hope during my time in the fire service that when we arrive at incidents the public are less surprised when we take off our helmets and they realise we are female!
2. What is your biggest success/proudest moment as a firefighter?
Something I am proud of is operating in the Station Manager role for the past 6 months. This is something that has happened quite early in my career, but I believe a lot of the skills I developed whilst playing football have transferred over. I really value that if you can see it you can be it, and not only is it important to see a woman sat on a fire engine, but to see a female manage an incident with 6 fire engines or manage a station of 30 firefighters is really important.
3. As a firefighter, what would your advice be to any girls wanting to follow your career path?
We do so much positive action work as a service to show people that a career in the fire service is for everyone. My advice would be to go along to your local station and get to know your firefighters, try on some kit and get a feel for the weight of some of the practical kit. The job is so much more then responding to incidents, its about engaging and protecting with the most vulnerable in our community.
4. And, what about becoming a footballer?
Football was my life from the age of 8, and as I mentioned earlier I am so grateful for the skills I developed through competing all over the world have not only helped me become a firefighter, but also developed the skills needed to be able to step into a managerial role. The best time during my footballing career was the decision to move to Italy at 18 years of age and play in the Serie A (Italian league) for 2 years. This massively took me out my comfort zone as I was the only foreign player in the whole of the league and none of my team mates spoke English! I made the most amazing memories winning trophies and even learning a bit of the language! Also being able to represent my country at every age group and play in world cups is something that I could of only dreamt of as a kid!
5. Do you feel that you fought harder to be where you are today in comparison to male colleagues?
I think coming from 2 careers which are seen as predominantly male, I have developed an attitude where I see myself as equal to my male colleagues, but I know this isn’t the case for every female within the service. I know some female voices aren’t heard in meetings or some female firefighters have to go above and beyond to get the same recognition as some of the males on the team. As much as the fire service has developed its inclusivity over the past few years, there is still improvements to be made. We still face challenges in terms of having correct kit, or being referred to as ‘Firemen’ but this is a cultural shift that is happening within the fire sector. I will always be an advocate for any underrepresented group and we have a female forum where issues are raised and discussed which is backed massively by our senior leadership team.
6. Which male dominated field (football or fire service) was your favourite?
Ah I absolutely loved my time as a professional footballer but I have to say working as a firefighter is one of the best jobs in the world! Whether that is fitting a smoke alarm for a 80 year old and you are the first person they have spoken to all day, or cutting someone from a vehicle after a collision, or saving someone from a house fire, I’m not sure anything can top that feeling!
Lois Balshaw
1 . Do you feel that endometriosis and women’s health are becoming less taboo subjects?
I’ve seen first hand how conversations about endometriosis and women’s health are becoming less taboo. My journey with endometriosis began when I was 15, and by 18, I was fortunate enough to get a diagnosis which is much quicker than the average diagnosis time. In the five years since, the shift in media attention has been really positive—more articles and television segments are now dedicated to endometriosis and women’s health, which is a hopeful sign of progress. However, we must not mistake increased awareness for real progress. Despite the growing conversations around these issues, we’re still facing long wait times for appointments, limited treatment options, and significant delays in diagnosis. These remain persistent, deeply frustrating challenges that need to be addressed, but an increase in awareness is always a step in the right direction.
2 . What advice would you give to girls currently going through the diagnosis process?
First and foremost, it’s crucial to prioritise both your physical and mental well-being during this challenging time because it is tough. Surround yourself with people who will offer the support you need and deserve throughout this journey. Reflecting on my own diagnosis process, one of the most helpful things I did was research and prepare ahead of medical appointments. Keeping a symptom diary, noting everything you experience and how frequently it happens, is really important. Medical professionals often ask for this during the initial appointment, so having it ready puts you a step ahead. Knowledge truly is power, so take the time to educate yourself—it will help you approach appointments with clarity and confidence. Don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself. If you’re not satisfied with how an appointment goes, make sure you vocalise your concerns. Sadly, there are medical professionals who may dismiss your symptoms or make you feel unheard. If this happens, don’t hesitate to seek another opinion from someone who will listen. I had to go through more than five GPs before one finally referred me, so please don’t give up.
Finally, remember to practice self-love and acceptance throughout this process. The journey to a diagnosis can stir up a whirlwind of emotions, with isolation and feeling unaccepted being two that I experienced. No matter the outcome, you are worthy. This is one of the main reasons I started my organisation—to create a space where women feel accepted and less alone and to be able to seek advice for the different stages of this journey from someone that has already been through it.
3 . How do you think medical professionals can better support women’s health issues?
Two words—believe us.
The number of times I’ve been dismissed, gaslit, and not listened to by medical professionals is countless. I’m sure many women have had similar experiences. Even after being diagnosed with endometriosis, I still find myself fighting to be heard at nearly every appointment. One of the most frustrating aspects of not being listened to by medical professionals is that, more often than not, we’re right. We know when something doesn’t feel right, and having that dismissed is something that doesn’t get talked about enough. This issue became the focus of my dissertation at university, titled ‘The Androcentric Bias in Medicine and Its Effects on Women with Endometriosis’. The deep-rooted gender bias within the medical field, in my opinion, plays a significant role in the delays in diagnosis and care.
My advice to medical professionals is this: don’t be so quick to shut down women who are experiencing symptoms. We know our bodies, and we know when something is wrong. Support us in this process—don’t just offer hormonal contraceptives as a quick fix or tell us it is “just a painful period”. There needs to be thorough investigations into the symptoms women experience.
4 . What is the most rewarding thing about founding The Code Red Club?
Founding The Code Red Club has been the most rewarding experience of my life. What began as an idea during a summer internship has grown into something truly special, and I’m incredibly proud of how far this organization has come since its creation in 2023. I think knowing the impact it’s having on so many women’s lives, and the lasting difference this organisation will make for years to come is truly fulfilling. I began this journey as a society at Durham University, and the first support group I hosted there still stands out in my memory. Hearing people express how accepted and supported they felt makes all the hard work, late nights and tears worthwhile. Being able to support and uplift women enduring reproductive chronic illnesses is incredibly empowering.
I’ll never forget one girl from my first ever support group who thanked me for creating this community, saying she had never felt so accepted and understood. She finally felt seen. I went home and cried with happiness, because it felt so amazing to be able to impact someone’s life so positively and create a space where women like me—who often feel alone and misunderstood—can finally feel heard after years of feeling like this myself.
5 . Where do you see The Code Red Club in 5 years?
I envision The Code Red Club becoming a powerful and consistent presence on social media, advocating for women and continuing to raise awareness with reproductive chronic illnesses . While my current focus is on endometriosis, in five years, I hope to expand our support and raise awareness for other conditions like PCOS and PMDD, to name just a few. I have several exciting projects in the works for this year, and I’m confident that they’ll evolve into long-term successes. Ultimately, my goal is to see The Code Red Club become a nationwide organisation, and I truly believe I’ll get there. Above all, being able to support as many women as possible is my dream, and with hard work and dedication, I’m confident I’ll make it a reality.
From a fundraising perspective, my goal is to raise enough funds consistently to help cover treatments, prescriptions, and other essential costs for women who need additional support. Having a reproductive chronic illness is not only physically demanding but also financially draining, and many women struggle with the costs that come with it. It would mean so much to me to ease that burden and relieve some of the financial stress these women face because I know first hand how much of a struggle this can be.
Olivia Mae Hanlon
1 . What has been the most rewarding part of building your business as a woman?
The most rewarding part has been creating a space where women in marketing feel seen, supported, and empowered to grow their careers. When I started Girls in Marketing, it was just a small community, but it quickly became something much bigger - a place where women connect, upskill, and feel confident in their abilities. Seeing the impact on individuals, whether it’s someone landing their dream job, negotiating a higher salary, or stepping into leadership, makes everything worth it. Knowing that we’re actively changing the industry and breaking down barriers for future generations of women in marketing is incredibly fulfilling.
2. Have you ever felt you had to work harder to be taken seriously as a female founder?
Absolutely. There have been times when I’ve felt underestimated or had to prove myself more than my male counterparts, particularly in business and investment spaces. There’s still a bias—whether conscious or unconscious - that women-led businesses are ‘passion projects’ rather than serious, scalable ventures. But instead of letting that hold me back, I’ve used it as fuel. I focus on results, impact, and making Girls in Marketing a strong business that speaks for itself. Over time, I’ve learned that confidence and conviction in your own abilities are key - if you believe in what you’re building, others will too.
3. How important do you think mentorship and community are for women in business?
They’re everything. One of the biggest challenges women face in business is feeling isolated or lacking the same networks that many men naturally have access to. Mentorship and community help bridge that gap. Having people who support you, champion your ideas, and give you honest advice is invaluable. I wouldn’t be where I am without the mentors and peers who’ve encouraged me along the way. That’s why I’m so passionate about fostering community - whether through Girls in Marketing, our membership, or the events we run. When women uplift each other, we all win.
4. Have you ever experienced imposter syndrome as a successful woman, and how did you overcome it?
No matter how much you achieve, there’s always that little voice asking, Am I really good enough? or Do I deserve this? I think imposter syndrome is especially common for women because we’re often conditioned to downplay our success. What’s helped me is reframing those thoughts - reminding myself that I’ve put in the work, I have the experience, and I do belong in the spaces I’m in. Also, talking about it helps. Once you realise that so many successful people feel the same way, it loses its power. I’ve also learned to embrace being a beginner in new areas, confidence isn’t about knowing everything, it’s about trusting that you’ll figure it out.
5. As a woman in a female-dominated industry (marketing), do you feel there is still progress to be made, and if so, how?
Definitely. While marketing has a high percentage of women, leadership positions are still dominated by men, and that needs to change. There’s also a lack of representation for women from diverse backgrounds, and often, women’s contributions in the industry are undervalued. Pay gaps still exist, and many women face challenges in being promoted to senior or executive roles.
To drive progress, companies need to do more than just talk about diversity - they need to actively create opportunities for women to lead. That means fair pay, proper mentorship, and flexibility in the workplace to support women at different stages of their careers. It’s also about changing the perception of marketing itself - it’s not just a ‘soft’ or ‘support’ function, it’s a strategic driver of business growth, and the women leading in this space deserve recognition and investment.
At Girls in Marketing, we’re tackling these issues by providing education, career support, and a network that helps women step into leadership with confidence. There’s still a lot of work to do, but I’m hopeful that with more visibility, advocacy, and action, we can create real change.
Progress is happening, but it’s not happening fast enough. Women are still underrepresented in leadership, fighting for basic healthcare rights, and pushing against outdated biases in every industry. But we refuse to wait 135 years for change.
At Girls On The Go, we will always champion women, amplify their voices, and create spaces where they can thrive. Because equality isn’t just a dream, it’s a demand. And we’re not stopping until we get there.