Celebrating International Women’s Day 2025 with Diversity House
On Monday, 10th March 2025, Diversity House hosted an unforgettable International Women’s Day celebration at Hempstead House Hotel and Spa in Sittingbourne. This year’s theme, ‘Accelerate Action’, called for urgent steps towards a more gender-equal world—one free from bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. The event embodied this vision, bringing together inspiring speakers, dynamic discussions, and cultural performances to champion diversity, equity, and inclusion. With an atmosphere of empowerment and unity, the day was filled with thought-provoking talks, engaging discussions, and vibrant cultural performances.
Attendees had the opportunity to hear from influential voices across various sectors, including business, politics, health, and education. There was also time for networking, entertainment, and plenty of uplifting moments that truly reflected the #AccelerateAction movement.
This event was more than just a celebration—it was a platform to amplify voices, recognise women’s contributions, and inspire action towards gender equality. Whether it was the inspiring speeches, the lively student debate, or the spectacular performances by Bantu Arts, every aspect of the day left a lasting impact on those who attended.
Testimonials
It was an amazing day. All the speakers were fantastic. I definitely left feeling inspired and would have loved my two teenage girls to be there to hear it. We definitely need to uplift each other more as women! I also really enjoyed the debate with the school kids. That’s what it’s all about. And the dancing! That young girl’s voice was beautiful. Thanks again for a great day.
Thank you so much for inviting me and allowing me to take part in your IWD event. I loved it, there are some truly inspirational people I met there and listening to their speeches and personal stories were amazing. You and your team worked so hard to arrange the day and I thank you all.
I am thrilled to be a guest at a wonderful event with outstanding presentations. My heartfelt thanks to the Diversity House team and the organisers. I look forward to collaborating more with you and your team.
An excellent day, I learnt so much through listening to and observing inspiring women, men and school girls. Diversity was evident everywhere.
It was a fabulous morning and extremely impactful. Thank you very much.
So pleased to support you and the attendees. It was a very powerful event.
Images from the day
Overview of the Day
The event kicked off at 9:30 am, with guests arriving at the beautiful Hempstead House Hotel and Spa, where they were warmly welcomed with tea, coffee, and the opportunity to connect before the main programme began.
At 10:00 am, Diversity House CEO and Founder, Mrs Christine Locke, officially opened the event with an inspiring welcome note, setting the tone for a day of reflection, celebration, and motivation. She was followed by Cllr Ben Martin, the Mayor of Swale, who expressed his admiration for the resilience and achievements of women in the local community and beyond.
The morning session featured a series of powerful talks from distinguished speakers, each bringing valuable insights from their respective fields. Sam Cooper-Gray (HSBC) discussed the importance of female representation in business and financial independence, while Nikkie Teesdale (Director of Health & Care Integration) shared her expertise on advancing women’s roles in the healthcare sector.
The audience also heard from Hilary Edridge, Lady Melville DL, representing the Lord Lieutenant of Kent, who spoke on the importance of recognising women’s contributions to society. Following this, Mike Wood addressed the attendees on behalf of Mrs Amanda Jane Holdstock, owner of Hempstead House Hotel and Spa, highlighting the importance of supporting local women-led initiatives.
One of the standout moments of the morning was a riveting talk by Nickie Clarke, Regional Managing Director at Nando’s, who shared her experiences as a female leader in a competitive industry.
To add a touch of culture and celebration, guests were treated to a spectacular music and dance performance by Bantu Arts, filling the room with energy and enthusiasm.
After a well-deserved lunch break, where guests enjoyed delicious food and participated in a raffle, the afternoon session resumed with more inspiring moments. Entrepreneur Abi Abari (Beauty & Fashion) and expert coach Tracey Robinson spoke about the importance of resilience, personal growth, and female empowerment in business.
A truly touching segment was led by Rashmi Raju, a former service user, who shared her personal journey, highlighting the impact of support networks like Diversity House.
One of the most engaging parts of the day was the student debate, featuring bright young minds from The Sittingbourne School and Westlands School Sittingbourne. Their thought-provoking discussion on women’s roles in leadership and society demonstrated the passion and awareness of the next generation.
The event concluded with a panel discussion and Q&A session, allowing attendees to share their thoughts and engage with the speakers directly. Mrs Rosemary Dymond DL (Patron of Diversity House) delivered a heartfelt vote of thanks, bringing the day to a close with words of appreciation and encouragement.
As guests departed at 4:00 pm, there was a shared sense of inspiration and empowerment, with many reflecting on the incredible stories and insights shared throughout the day.