This year, to celebrate International Women’s Day on 8th March, we have interviewed some inspirational women that work at Ison Harrison and in the local community.
Find out why International Women’s Day is an important opportunity to celebrate these very inspirational women!
Ruth Bundey (Ison Harrison Consultant & Inquest Advocate)
Ruth Bundey is recognised nationally for her work in race relations and criminal defence. She is a respected member of the Ison Harrison team and continues to fight for justice through her work in Inquest law.
Here, Ruth lists some of the women that have inspired her throughout her career.
Why is International Women’s Day important to you?
International Women’s Day is a timely reminder of the way in which women, and particularly women of colour, have had to fight for their rights during our lifetimes.
Which woman inspires you? (famous or non famous!)
I have been inspired by so many women; Yasmin Alibhai- Brown, journalist; Deborah Coles and Marcia Rigg of Inquest; Janet Alder; Anwar Ditta.
What inspirational things have you achieved?
It was humbling to find myself one of 400 Leeds women named on the Ribbons Sculpture installed in 2024. As a lawyer, it has always been my clients who have inspired me to try to push at the boundaries and challenge behaviour, and my thanks go to them.
Linsay Medica (Little Hiccups)
Introducing Linsay, founder of children’s charity Little Hiccups.
Linsay helps children and families through her charity initiatives and fundraising. Here she explains a bit more about why International Women’s Day is important and what inspires her.
Why is International Women’s Day important to you?
It’s a time to recognize and celebrate the strength and courage of everyday women who often go unnoticed. These unsung heroes are relentless in their pursuit of better lives for themselves and their families, embodying determination and solidarity.
It’s a day to honour the unwavering spirit of women who navigate life’s challenges with grace and resilience. Their stories of perseverance inspire and remind us all of the immense potential and impact of women in every corner of the world.
Celebrating International Women’s Day is about more than just acknowledging achievements; it’s about standing together in unity, recognizing the common struggles, and pushing for a world where every woman has the opportunity to thrive and be celebrated.
Which woman inspires you? (famous or non famous!)
There are too many to mention! I have always been inspired by my mum and my grandma, for the strength and courage they had shown through their lives when times had been truly tough for them, always remaining positive and loving. So many of the mums/care givers I have the pleasure of meeting through our work and the ones I am privileged to call my friends. My admiration of how they embrace life no matter what comes their way. Being the warrior they need to be, fighting on the behalf of their children, having unwavering love and appreciation for them and ensuring their worlds are fun and fulfilled no matter the personal cost. Always putting others before them and not complaining…… on a different note I have always been inspired by Miriam Margolyse for her zest for life, her sense of humour and complete unashamed honesty. The ability to make life colourful and well lived!
What inspirational things have you achieved?
Little Hiccups! Although my boy is the driving force behind it. When life took a massive turn, the path I chose led me to this point. We started with a bag of toys and a jar of coffee, bringing together other parents of disabled and special needs children, giving them the chance to connect with other families in similar situations and know they weren’t alone. The incredible people we have met along the way and become part of our team inspire me every day. With their help we now support over 1200 families, offering a very wide range of support and helping them to make memories and cherished experiences with their children. We have won several awards, including the Queens Award for Voluntary Services and I have also been honoured to have my name on the Ribbons Sculpture commemorating inspirational women of Leeds which proves that no matter what life throws at you, as hard as it gets, not losing sight of your goal for life and choosing not to give up…you can achieve anything!
Lucy Pozman (Ison Harrison Solicitor, Legal Aid Family)
Lucy Pozman is a solicitor in our family team, specialising in legal aid and helping clients with a wide range of matters including domestic abuse, child protection and custody disputes.
Lucy details why International Women’s Day is important to her.
Why is International Women’s Day important to you?
For me, International Women’s Day is about celebration! It is a chance to celebrate the unique skills and strengths we have as women, and the special contributions women make to society. I love that different cultures all around the world celebrate this day in their own ways.
Which woman inspires you? (famous or non famous!)
Any woman who overcomes adversity. I am particularly inspired by Katie Piper. She survived a horrific acid attack and went on to become one of the most famous faces in the UK, as a presenter, author, model and advocate for the vulnerable.
What inspirational things have you achieved?
I was a Youth Worker with neurodivergent young people in a homeless project in Canada, and I have volunteered with disabled children and adults in the UK. I now have a special interest in supporting disabled and neurodivergent clients in Family Law cases. I regularly do training on how to improve my communication skills for these clients, and I help to organise such training for my team. I partner with organisations such as Communicourt, who support vulnerable people in court, and the Kyra Women’s Project, with whom I operate a monthly legal clinic in York. I am passionate about championing those who experience societal hurdles to getting their voices heard.
Sunjeeda Hanif (Women’s Whispers)
Sunjeeda is the founder of local Leeds charity Women’s Whispers, dedicated to providing multi-ethnic food and clothing to women in crisis in the local area. Here, she details what International Women’s Day means to her.
Why is International Women’s Day important to you?
For me, it is important because it gives recognition, awareness and visibility of women, however, it is also an opportunity to promote ethnically diverse pioneering, innovative and ground-breaking females and make them visible.
Which woman inspires you? (famous or non famous!)
My most inspirational woman is my mother Surraya Jabeen. Mum came to this country in the late 1960’s on a spousal route after marrying my father.
Mum was inspirational at a young age breaking cultural norms by winning a scholarship to Lahore University. The battle began to gain permission to travel and live in Lahore to study sewing and teaching. Mum won and the agreement was that she lived with her maternal uncle and attend University daily.
My mum successfully graduated in 1967 and married Dad (who was a foundry worker) to join him in the UK.
After having 5 daughters and one son, my parents became self-employed and ran a local corner shop for 50 years. It became the heart and soul of the Beeston community.
Mum inspired me as she used her education and intellectual skills to support my dad and become financially successful.
The inspiration was hearing mum say to BAME victims who found the shop a place of sanctuary to safely share the domestic violence they were experiencing. My mum would always give free clothing, money and food to help.
Her words of inspiration were “I have five daughters and I see you as another daughter. It is my duty to help you”.
This is where Women’s Whispers was originally founded as the women would only whisper about the domestic violence.
What inspirational things have you achieved?
I, along with my two young sons, have carried on the legacy work of my mum and registered a social enterprise as Surraya Hanif Community Support CIC T/A Women’s Whispers.
This has been truly inspirational but touching the most helpless and hopeless women who are not only victims of domestic violence but have no English language skills and also access barriers to services and support.
Victoria Boid (Ison Harrison Partner)
Victoria Boid is a Partner in our Company Commercial team. In 2024 she represented Great Britain at the Duathlon European Championships.
Why is International Women’s Day important to you?
As a mum of three children, one a daughter, I want her to know that anything is possible, with a good work ethic, determination but most importantly kindness. I think women juggle a lot (and men too) and I feel that it’s important to try and hold on to your ambitions and fulfil them no matter what chapter of your life you are in. International Women’s Day is important as it reminds us to hold each other up, support other women and encourage each other to sparkle. We sometimes keep small and caveat anything like International Women’s Day with: oh yes, women, but all people and all circumstances, and it’s ok to celebrate women for women on one day and to be grateful.
Which woman inspires you? (famous or non famous!)
Watching my teenage daughter grow into a young, considered and beautiful kind woman is very humbling and inspirational.
What inspirational things have you achieved?
To qualify for the European Championship and represent Great Britain amongst world-class and elite athletes in the duathlon was a dream come true. This came later in life for me than it should have and I may have made it a bit harder, but I believe what is meant for you finds you. My balance and superpower is my bike, I just have to get better at the run and swim!
Anne-Marie O-Hagan (Ison Harrison HR Partner)
Annie-Marie heads up the HR team at Ison Harrison. She is heavily involved with the community and also helps a local charity, Grace and Care, by volunteering her time to provide healthy meals to vulnerable and homeless people.
Why is International Women’s Day important to you?
It’s a chance to reflect on and celebrate what women do and how they make a difference – at home, work and in their community.
Which woman inspires you? (famous or non famous!)
I was lucky enough to know Pamela Salem, who passed away in February 2024. She was an actress, beautiful inside and out, and always showed kindness, compassion, a fighting spirit (usually on behalf of others) and a great sense of humour. I felt as though the world was a slightly worse place when she died but she will continue to inspire me, and others, on how to live your life and treat others.
What inspirational things have you achieved?
At Grace and Care we recently made and distributed 105 meals – a record! It was such a busy day but a real team effort.
Apart from the charity, I am lucky enough to have recovered from bowel cancer and have raised over £6,500.00 for Bowel Cancer UK and Bowel Research UK. This includes completing a Himalayan trek in March 2024, which was an amazing experience and made me realise that I am physically and mentally stronger than I knew. I’d love to do another trek in the future.
Clare Sanderson (The Wren Bakery)
Clare is CEO and co-founder of The Wren Bakery, a charity in Leeds supporting women shape a better future for themselves through learning new skills.
Why is International Women’s Day important to you?
It’s a day to champion women and all the achievements we have made and are making. It feels important to stand together and shine a light on the inequality that still exists and the challenges still faced by women everywhere.
Which woman inspires you? (famous or non famous!)
The women we train at The Wren Bakery inspire me. I am very aware of their strength and determination in day to day life, especially in the midst of their life experiences and the challenges they face. They hang onto hope and keep taking steps forward.
What inspirational things have you achieved?
I started The Wren Bakery, a small charity in Leeds, with a friend in 2020. We saw the difficulty for women in Leeds to break out of cycles of poverty, abuse, crime and low self esteem. We wanted to do something to support women for whom it was too hard to imagine a better life for themselves and so moving forward to achieve their goals felt unattainable.
I feel proud of our charity and the work we are doing. We are playing our small part in championing women, standing together and seeing change happen. We remain steadfast in demonstrating hope!
