Today marks International Women’s Day, celebrating the accomplishments of women all over the world.
We have compiled a list of ten inspiring women from south London to honour on this momentous day.
Susannah is a mum from Bromley who is living with stage three ovarian cancer.
In support of Target Ovarian Cancer this International Women’s Day, Susannah expressed to the News Shopper that early diagnosis gives a “better chance of survival”, as she says if she was diagnosed earlier, she potentially wouldn’t be at stage 3.
Her symptoms were initially dismissed as IBS but it later turned out that she was suffering with both ovarian and breast cancer.
She is now cleared of breast cancer and her ovarian cancer is being “controlled” but she is continuing to push for earlier diagnoses.
Tanya set up her own estate agency under Keller Williams around 18 months ago and is now a famous TikToker.
The 29-year-old uses the usual portals, such as RightMove and Zoopla, to promote her client’s properties – and also twins this with social media, where TikTok which has been a huge success.
Her videos on TikTok of various local properties have gone viral on the platform, with her most popular TikTok of a stunning five storey town house in SE14 reaching a huge 1.4 million views and 267,000 likes.
Kirsty Baker owns The Long Haul on Long Lane in Bexleyheath which first opened on August 28, 2020.
In 2022, the spot was named pub of the year by CAMRA, a proud accomplishment after overcoming the challenges that came with Covid-19 for businesses.
Hatice Tuzun was scouted to be on The Voice around one year ago after having found her musical identity and growth in confidence after leaving university.
The 25-year-old studied music at the University of Westminster and has loved music ever since she was little – seeing it as a “form of expression”.
Hatice told the News Shopper at the time: “I'd love Welling to support me because I'm doing it for my area.
“I want to be known for making a change in music, living in Welling and helping people realise that they can follow their dreams.
“I grew up at my nan's house in Lodge Hill and then I moved to Lower Belvedere where I lived on an estate.
Anthonia Edwards from Blackheath
Anthonia Edwards “spontaneously” applied for The Voice in February 2021 after graduating as a qualified nurse.
The 25-year-old first discovered her talent as a singer at the age of six while singing at church with her mum and dad.
Anthonia has loved music ever since as she saw it as a “form of expressing” herself.
In 2022, she was crowned the champion of the eleventh series of The Voice and secured a recording contract with EMI.
Barbara Dyche, 69, celebrated the 40th anniversary of her hairdressing salon last year.
Barbara Jane Hairdressers opened on Bexley High Street in 1982.
She said: “I first trained in a shop in Bexleyheath and I think that the lady who trained me would be so proud of me now.
“I’ve always lived in Bexley and I’ve seen lots of changes in the village, but it is a lovely area.
“Everywhere I go people are like ‘Oh look it’s Barbara Jane’ and so you just get known everywhere…but my name isn’t Barbara Jane.”
Cassandra Baker was first diagnosed with ADHD just over four years ago – and since then, she has become a mental health advocate and aspires to “beam positivity” across south east London.
Last year, the 45-year-old completed walking five marathons across 13 days, raising money for the Mental Health Foundation.
In total, she has raised more than £7,000 for charities during and after the national lockdown.
Isabel McCullough from Dartford
The 18-year-old is due to compete in the British Junior Open on January 4 in Birmingham, where she will face off against international squash players in a five-day tournament.
Isabel is set to compete against other high-ranked teenage squash players from Australia, the United States, Egypt and Malaysia.
She said: “Squash is such a great sport, it is high intensity, physical and highly competitive.
“To take part in this tournament feels great especially when the group of girls competing are at such a high level.”
Vicky Washington, former Detective Superintendent for the Metropolitan Police has worked her way up the ranks in policing over the course of 30 years, and after winning international awards, building relationships with minority groups, and winning the Queen’s Policing Medal, she has now retired from the Met.
The mum-of-four has devoted her policing career to south London, working as detective inspector across south west London boroughs, running projects in Brixton where she diverted young people away from crime, writing security briefings at the 2012 Olympics, and worked in the Territorial Support Group across south east London.
Layla kicked off her 2023 by rising to reality TV stardom by appearing on Love Island.
The 28-year-old joined the cast at Casa Amor and quickly connected with famous TikToker Will Young (also known as Farmer Will).
The pair hit it off, despite Will’s love interest, Jessie, being across the road staying loyal to him.
Ultimately, Will chose to remain with Jessie and Layla was sent packing.
Even though her time on the show was cut short, she now has 20.3k followers on Instagram and posted to thank ITV for believing in her.
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