INSPIRING INCLUSION

For Women’s History Month, we decided to get creative! We asked our very own ladies here at EWYE who motivates them; past and present. Using inspiration from International Women’s Day and their annual IWD Lettering Challenge, we created a typographic and illustrative piece that celebrates these badass women as well as showing off our own creative talents!

Here’s a run down of our chosen 11 incredible women!

Frida Kahlo

No list of amazing women is complete without Frida! As picked by Rachel – an incredible Mexican artist whose art was heavily influenced by her own personal struggles with themes such as identity, disability after injury and death. 

Gabby Jahanshahi-Edlin

Our designer Emma picked Gabby Jahanshahi-Edlin who founded Bloody Good Period in 2016 when she discovered food banks did not routinely provide period products. Their missions? “Fight for menstrual equity and the rights of all women and people who bleed” Menstrual equality for all! 

Jessica Ennis-Hill

Our very own Julia on why she picked Jessica as her super woman: “The Summer of 2012 was full of optimism and happiness and my highlight was Dame Jessica winning the gold medal for the heptathlon on Super Saturday after a personal best score. After all the hard work you could see the relief and disbelief in her face. She sums up to me how determination and hard work can be rewarded.”

Joeli Brearley

After being sacked from her job when she was four months pregnant, Joeli created Pregnant Then Screwed, which inspires Emma. Fighting against the motherhood penalty, Brearley has been taking on the government, “inflexible” bosses and parental inequality since 2016! 

Katherine Johnson

Being a black women at NASA in 1960s America must have seemed like an impossible dream, much like walking on the moon! Barack Obama said “Katherine G. Johnson refused to be limited by society’s expectations of her gender and race while expanding the boundaries of humanity’s reach.” We couldn’t agree more! Picked by Mandy.

Shon Faye

A British writer, journalist and podcast host, Shon provides commentary on the full breadth of female and LGBT+ peoples experience. From her advice column in Vogue, to her chart topping non-fiction debut The Transgender Issue: An Argument for Justice she is a writer who definitely has something to say! Picked by Emma.

Vivienne Westwood

An inspiration to Aisha, one of the most influential creatives in history; fashion designer, movement creator, business woman and campaigner! In later life, the household name showed that you’re never too old to fight for something. The punk spirit was still burning into her 80s! 

Margaret Calvert

A popular South African-born, British graphic designer and typographer, well recognised for her collaboration with Jock Kinneir, designed road signs used throughout Britian. Along with the typeface new Transport to launch a new easy to read and easy to follow suite of British road signs in 1965. Jackie said ‘when I was at college visiting the British Museum I learned about Margaret and her story really impressed me, as it was one of the first times I had seen such a successful women designer first hand’.

Emmeline Pankhurst

One of the leading voices and most iconic women of the Suffragette movement, Emmeline fought both the political establishment and public opinion, facing 12 periods of imprisonment, bouts of force-feeding and a defamation campaign in the press. The achievement of women’s suffrage has been considered by many 21st century feminists to be the turning point in women’s rights as it enshrined a women’s right to opinion in UK law. Picked by Jackie.

Michaela Coel

Michaela Coel is one of the UKs most promising talents. Her show I May Destroy You was a sensational hit. Account Manager Chloe said she’s a “powerhouse actress, writer and poet that inspires me with her artistic way of tackling real life issues and advocating for women everywhere” We agree!! 

Janelle Monáe

A trailblazing musician, film star and activist: Monáe is the definition of a true mutli-hyphanate. Born into a working class family deep in the heart of Kansas, she has been open about her goal to “break down stereotypes, fight against oppression [and] trying to save the world!” Influenced by soul, R&B and Motown, her avant-garde performance style set a standard in the music industry and greatly inspires Account Director Dani.

Recognition of these wonderful women and their achievements should go beyond International Women’s Day. By taking part in the #InspireInclusion project, we have an opportunity to share our appreciation of the women who inspire us and hopefully encourage others to do the same.

Designs by Jackie Maddocks.

Emma Di’luorio – Middleweight Designer

A combination of a passion for design and over a decade of experience in the industry make Emma a real creative force in the studio.