Fabulous International Women’s Day 2020 Following the success of the 2019 event, The Washington Group’s International Women’s Day 2020 Festival was hosted for the second time at The Blackpool Sixth Form College. Words: Karen Pennington Photos: Rachel Lambert, Rebecca Terras, Susan Wood
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alking into the very modern The Blackpool Sixth Form College (Blackpool Sixth) there was definitely a ‘buzz’ around the building as young ladies of all ages gathered to register for the event. This was an invitation-only festival that took place on Saturday 7th of March with every high school across Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde being invited. Also invited were students from Educational Diversity schools, including schools for students with additional needs. This year six primary schools were invited, previously the event had only invited senior school students, however this year The Washington Group wanted to see if they could encourage even younger students to think about their futures. Attending the festival were also 25 local female role models and schools. Before the event attending schools worked with their chosen ‘role model’, finding out more about their upbringing and how they achieved their role today. After which, all the schools involved developed a
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presentation/art installation about their chosen inspirational women, which was displayed in the Festival areas. Many of whom would need no introduction such as Councillor Amy Cross, Blackpool’s first female Mayor and Blackpool born Paralympian Shelly Woods. There were many more on hand to inspire the young female students. Debbie Terras, Director of The Washington Group welcomed everyone to the second festival to be held at Blackpool Sixth. The day’s proceedings began with Kim Fox, a professional local artist who sang with such vigour she really wowed the crowd. Excellence only matched by the superb performance of Blackpool Sixth’s Dance Academy, who performed to Kim’s inspiring tunes. My favourite was Beyoncé’s ’Run the World (girls) song, which really put the audience in the mood for the workshops that followed. After the performance Debbie Terras said it was a pleasure for The Washington Group, to work with the
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college, to provide a holistic community feel for the young women. Local businesses and volunteers had joined together to support the day, inspiring people of all ages, making them realise new dreams and ambitions, which really could be achieved. Debbie Terras in her address also mentioned that a recent report had said that Blackpool was the toughest place to be a girl in the UK. She turned this around saying that everyone should be proud of their home town. They should show the world that far from being the toughest place, Blackpool actually breeds young women of all ages who have tenacity, with plenty of opportunities to make Blackpool and the Fylde Coast constantly shine. Jill Gray, the passionate and professional Principal of Blackpool Sixth followed Debbie’s address by asking everyone attending to celebrate being a woman and enjoy an amazing day at the International Women’s Day 2020 festival. Speaking to Jill Gray later she stated that the college could not wait to www.lancmag.com