More Than a Moment: 115th International Women’s Day
In 2026, International Women's Day reaches its 115th anniversary. What began as a focused act of collective advocacy has grown into a global movement, observed by millions of people across vastly different industries, cultures and contexts. Its endurance speaks to both the progress that has been achieved and the work that remains.
To mark the occasion, we invited a number of women from across the business to reflect on four questions: What the day means to them, what makes a difference for women in the workplace, who inspires them, and what they would share with women early in their career. Below, we hear from Ruby, Marketing; Natalie, Section Leader, Customer Service PPE; and Jasmine, Acting Laboratory Manager & Senior Laboratory Technician in the PPE Laboratory.
Ruby Fernie
Ruby works across the marketing function for both the BTTG® and Shirley® brands, covering a broad range of responsibilities including marketing operations, brand management, copywriting, event and exhibition planning, industry engagement and membership management, supporting OEKO-TEX® MADE IN GREEN clients, among others. She also serves as a LinkedIn Ambassador for OEKO-TEX®, contributing to the promotion of safer, more responsible and sustainable practices across the fashion and textile industry.
Natalie Or
Natalie leads the customer service team, ensuring clients receive clear, consistent communication and support throughout their projects. Her role spans client liaison, project coordination and problem solving, as well as developing her team and improving the processes that keep everything running smoothly.
Jasmine
Jasmine is the Acting Laboratory Manager & Senior Laboratory Technician in the PPE Laboratory. She has been with us for six years, and in that time has built a thorough understanding of what it takes to run a high-performing laboratory. In her current role she oversees the day-to-day operations of the lab, ensuring materials are tested to the latest standards, equipment is properly maintained and calibrated, and that the team upholds the rigorous requirements of our UKAS accreditation.
The responses below are their own.
What International Women's Day Means to Us
For the women we spoke with, International Women's Day is as much a prompt for considered reflection as it is a moment of celebration.
For one colleague, the day presents an opportunity to practice three things: "IWD is an opportunity to do three things. Firstly, to acknowledge: Recognise the progress that has been made over 115 years of collective action, and to give credit to the women whose contributions have driven it, both historically and today. Secondly, to reflect: Considering honestly where inequalities persist, what barriers women continue to face, and what can to be done. Thirdly, to contribute to positive change: Whether through sharing resources, supporting women-focused causes, or simply continuing conversations that keep equality on the agenda beyond a single day in the calendar." - Ruby.
Others approached the question with a similar balance of appreciation and candour. "It is encouraging to see the progress that has been made over the years in terms of opportunities, representation and rights. However, it does highlight the challenges women still face today — something as fundamental as feeling safe walking alone at night, or the long-term impact of career breaks on earnings, pensions and progression." - Jasmine.
A further colleague reflected on the breadth of that progress. "It is a very good opportunity to reflect on the contributions and achievements of women across different fields and different countries — while acknowledging that there is still more to be done to achieve true equality." - Natalie.
In how they mark the day, the interviewees shared a common thread of active and intentional participation. Across all three responses, the same instincts emerged: reflecting on progress, seeking out the stories of inspiring women, sustaining conversations that push for equality and positive change, and extending that engagement into tangible action.
What Makes a Difference
When asked what makes a tangible difference to women in the workplace on an everyday level, responses pointed to three distinct but complementary things: visibility at the top, inclusion in the room, visibility at the top, and flexibility.
On representation in senior roles, a third colleague reflected on an experience she encountered for the first time in her current role. "Until I worked at this company, I had never worked somewhere where a woman holds a director position. It was refreshing." - Jasmine.
On inclusion in everyday working life, another was equally precise. "Something simple but powerful is ensuring that everyone's voice is heard and acknowledged in meetings. Creating space for people to contribute, and listening attentively to different perspectives, helps build a more inclusive environment in which everyone feels confident sharing ideas." - Natalie.
On flexibility, one colleague observed that its benefits for women extend considerably beyond caregiving. "Balancing demands of professional and personal life, managing unpredictable health conditions, and attending medical appointments rarely available outside working hours are all areas where flexibility quietly removes very real barriers for women. When it is offered as standard, it does not simply accommodate women, it allows them to thrive on more equal terms." - Ruby.
Who Inspires Us
When asked about the woman they find most inspiring, all three independently named their mothers. It is an honest reminder that the women who shape us most are often those closest to us.
"She raised me as a single parent whilst continuing at work, which I have always admired. She created a full and happy life entirely on her own terms. Seeing her independence and resilience has had a significant influence on me — it demonstrates that happiness and fulfilment need not follow a conventional path." - Jasmine.
"She did not have many educational opportunities, but as a single mother she demonstrated incredible strength and courage in standing up for herself and for me. Her determination and resilience have always inspired me, and she remains the strongest person in my life." - Natalie.
"I am inspired by the women around me, especially my mother, who has been an exceptional role model throughout my life. Women routinely navigate a remarkable range of challenges — carving out a career, caregiving, raising children alongside professional life, and managing health conditions that have historically been under-researched and poorly understood. The resilience and determination with which women face these challenges, and continue to succeed despite them, is something I find genuinely inspiring." - Ruby.
That all three arrived at the same answer, independently, is worth reflecting upon. It highlights that inspiration, at its most enduring, can often live closest to home. As Ruby reflects, every woman has an inspiring story to tell - and perhaps the impact of those stories, and the resilience and determination behind them, reaches further than we may realise.
What We Would Tell Women Just Starting Out in Their Career
The advice offered to women starting out was consistent in its direction, if varied in its expression.
"Believe in the value of your perspective. Do not be afraid to ask questions, speak up with your ideas, and continue learning along the way. Confidence often grows through experience, and every step forward contributes to building it." - Natalie.
"There is an important distinction between not being prepared and simply not feeling ready. So many of the skills you have already developed are more transferable than you realise - across roles, industries and situations you have yet to encounter. Do not discount what you already bring. Say yes, apply yourself anyway, and take opportunities before doubt has the chance to talk you out of it. Above all, remember that confidence is not a prerequisite for contribution, it is a result of it. Show up, do the work, and trust that the confidence will follow. Also, your work, albeit a significant part, is only one aspect of your career. Invest in your relationships early and intentionally, seek out those who will both advise and advocate for you, and be equally willing to do the same for others." - Ruby.
"Be as confident as you can and do not second-guess yourself. If you know the answer or have something valuable to contribute, say it with confidence. Do not downplay your knowledge or abilities — trust what you know, speak up, and do not feel the need to soften your voice." - Jasmine.
What BTTG® and Shirley® Europe Take Forward
The women who contributed to this piece work across different functions and bring with them a range of experiences and perspectives. What they share is a commitment to their work and a perspective on progress that is rooted in lived experience.
Reading their responses, certain themes emerge with consistency: the importance of visibility in senior positions, the value of flexibility, the significance of being heard in everyday professional settings, and the understanding that confidence is built through contribution rather than preceding it. These are not abstract considerations. They are the day-to-day realities of women working in a technical, client-facing and standards-driven environment - one in which precision, credibility and professional judgement are the basis on which everything is delivered.
For a business of our standing, International Women's Day is an occasion to reflect with purpose. The progress made over 115 years of collective action is considerable and worth acknowledging. The work that remains is equally clear, and worth stating. Our commitment is to ensure that the conditions in which all of our people do their best work are not treated as a peripheral concern, but as a standard we hold ourselves to. For a business oriented around standards, this one is no different.
Progress of this kind does not belong to a single day, and neither does our commitment to it.
BTTG®
Author, Ruby Fernie
