International Women’s Day 2021
March 8th is International Women’s Day and this day is a cause for celebration at Cowe Communications. Not just because our very own Nicola Staples is herself a brilliant international woman (gifted to us by the gorgeous Birmingham, UK) but because any chance to kick up our heels (or sneakers) in honor of badass women all over the world, well we will! From boardrooms to backrooms, kitchens to stadiums and everywhere in between, our world today is filled with extraordinary women doing extraordinary things. We wanted to share some of these amazing women with you now but first, we wanted to note something.
It is incredibly important that women’s achievements make headline news because young girls and older women need to see themselves represented in the media. But while many women deservedly make front-page news, millions and millions of other deserving women won’t. Why are we mentioning this? Because it is our hope that today, you reach out to a woman in your community. Heck, reach out to a bunch of women today! Reach across the room, your community or the world and tell the women that you know, who are working day in and day out, that you see them. You see them, you appreciate them, and you thank them for their efforts. Just as we could not live without our Nicola, we know that you have met women that changed your life for the better. Celebrate them today and every day. Now let us meet some phenomenal international women!
Aparna Sen
From the cover of Life magazine at 15 years old to be a prestigious, multi-award-winning actor and filmmaker at 75, Aparna Sen has spent a lifetime living life exactly as she wants. Known for making nuanced films that go far beyond what is on the surface, Apra has said, “At the drop of a hat, people have begun to take offense. You cannot write, paint, make films without worrying about some faction or other whose ‘sentiments’ will be hurt!” A self-proclaimed feminist, Ms. Sen has fiercely fought for her right, and the rights of countless other women, to create films using their voice, their perspective, and their creativity. May she be an example to filmmakers everywhere!
Sung Un Chang
According to The Asia Foundation, “women entrepreneurs are more likely to start a business out of necessity”, and that is exactly what Sung Un Chang dedicated her life to doing. As the CEO at YOLK, Ms. Chang is driven to innovate technology solutions that build a better world for everyone. She has won numerous prestigious awards for her work, including the iF 2018 Social Impact Award, an AidEx 2018 Innovation Challenge Award, and a 2019 CES Innovation Award. In 2012, Ms. Chang started YOLK, a solar energy company headquartered in Seoul, South Korea. There she created Solar Paper (a brilliantly thin solar charger) that went on to become the first Korean Kickstarter campaign to raise $1 million US dollars. Our favorite project? Solar Cow! Thanks to Ms. Chang and YOLK, the Solar Cow project created a way for children to attend school while simultaneously charging their home’s power source, which in the end incentivized parents for letting their children go to school and provided power to the children, not only in their homes but in their lives too. We cannot wait to see what she innovates next!
Mandy Farmer
From chambermaid to President and CEO, Mandy Farmer is purposefully living her dream life. Her company, Accent Inns, is a “pint-sized” customer service-focused hotel chain in Canada that is redefining the traveler’s experience. A 2020 RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Award winner, Ms. Farmer is not only an incredible inspiration for entrepreneurs all over the world, but her vision and attention to detail make her a perfect example for anyone wanting to learn how to delight their target market. Since 1986 Accent Inns has been a family-run business with Ms. Farmer taking the reins in 2008. Under her leadership, Accent Inns is now known as being the most pet-friendly and bike-friendly hotel chain in all of Canada. They even have a hotel where the bike path goes right through the lobby! All we want to know is when can Los Angeles get our very own Accent Inn? Thank you for your vision, Mandy Farmer.
Jo Horgan
When Jo Horgan started Mecca, an Australian cosmetics brand, she had one purpose: “The whole point of MECCA is to empower women and to inform and educate them, so when they come in, they’re in charge, they choose what they want, and make decisions for themselves.” Known as a high-touch, high-service beauty brand, Ms. Horgan has focused on serving Mecca’s clients by presenting personalized experiences married with the ease and usefulness of technology. In a 4.2-billion-dollar industry, Mecca has approximately 10% of that share and their momentum is not slowing in any way. Ms. Horgan’s journey, from her 1997 idea to her juggernaut brand in 2021, is a study in perseverance, grit, and a little bit of magic. She truly deserves a standing ovation!
