International Women's Day! - Burgess parkrun #557
- aqasanu
- Mar 9
- 2 min read
International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated annually on March 8th. It is a global day to recognise women's social, economic, cultural, and political achievements and raise awareness about the ongoing struggle for gender equality.
Fittingly, this week, one of my ex-clients, Aliyah Ali received the Corporate Impact Professional of the Year award from The Community Corporate and Community Awards. As CEO of The Daddyless Daughters Project CIC, I salute how she has used her life experience to empower and improve young women's outcomes.
Women continue to face obstacles. It was as recently as 1972 that women were finally allowed to compete officially in the Boston Marathon. Fortunately, there are no such barriers to women participating in parkrun. Run Directors Shona Barker, Madeleine Matos, Maureen Anderson, Laura Whelpton, Hannah Mumby, Josephine Hart, Alison Fiddler, Georgina Hayfron, Maria Donovan and Alice Aniello have all contributed to creating the fantastic welcoming event which Burgess parkrun has become.
As I commenced my 498th parkrun, I found myself talking to Rachael, who wasn’t just completing her 61st parkrun but also intending to continue running the full marathon distance this morning!
Growing up in Merthyr Tydfil, previously the ‘Iron capital of the world’, home to the magnificence of the mountains of Wales but also the Aberfan disaster. Rachael came to Whitechapel in London in 1982. She joined the Eva Luckes nursing home. With a strong Christian faith to sustain her, she has continued in nursing and is now Head of Nursing. She is passionate about her work.
Rachael shared how, following a tussle with cancer, she discovered parkrun. Entering the parkrun community in the VW55-59 category, Rachael shared the enormous health benefits she has enjoyed since running regularly.
Moving through the park Rachael pointed out the beautiful and cheerful daffodils. Rachael shared how it is the national flower of Wales and within them has a compound called narcissin. This flavonoid has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory making it a potential anticancer agent and why the Marie Curie charity uses its image.
International Women's Day seeks to emphasise the importance of gender equality and women’s rights across multiple spheres, including the workplace, politics, education, and family life. It was great that Burgess parkrun was able to offer me such a brilliant example of this. Together, we can make a difference and support the ongoing movement for gender equality.
Stay safe, happy running or walking and happy volunteering.
Lovely to read about Rachel, what a star! Great read as ever.
Rachael has an inspiring story! I love the community that parkrun has created! Thanks for sharing.
Fantastic as usual, well done. You is a Legend.