Celebrating International Women’s Day 2025
Written by Paula Taylor
A wonderful day to celebrate women from all walks of life
I first discovered International Women’s Day (IWD) some years ago when two of my friends—neither born in the UK—both sent me beautiful messages on March 8th. I had no idea it had been celebrated for 49 years! These two women, Mahshid and Viktoria, moved to the UK seeking a better life, showing great courage as they faced tough times. Despite their challenges, they have a simple yet strong faith in an amazing God who loves them and has saved them.
International Women’s Day is a wonderful day to celebrate women from all walks of life -whether single, married, divorced, widowed, born in the UK or elsewhere. More importantly, God Himself values and celebrates women, both in the Bible and today.
“Long before the world set aside a day to honour women, God had already written their worth into the story of creation & redemption.”
The heart of this celebration is to uplift women around the world —to support, encourage, and empower them to become all they were created to be. It’s about giving them confidence, reminding them of their worth, and enabling them to reach their full potential.
The women who have shaped me
A couple of years ago, I came across a beautiful quote that made me reflect on the women in my life—past and present—who have shaped me into who I am today: “Footprints can’t be seen by looking ahead; it’s only as they are walked that we see the impact they have on our lives.”
From childhood to motherhood, and now as a grandmother, I’ve been blessed by the guidance and wisdom of strong, faithful women. I feel it’s now my time to mentor others and share my experiences, standing alongside women just as Lois and Eunice did for Timothy. First and foremost, my own mother. She endured incredibly difficult times when my father left her for someone else after 17 years of marriage. Yet, through it all, she showed love, grace, faithfulness to God, and even forgiveness toward my father.
I’m also grateful for the incredible Christian women in Girls’ Brigade, who taught me life skills I still treasure today. I also remember my friend Margaret, who encouraged me in my singing, learning and using harmonies. Sadly, she lost her life in tragic circumstances at a young age, but her inspiration remains with me.
I especially give thanks to a wonderful woman named Jean, who introduced me and taught me to arrange flowers—an art & skill that has allowed me to create wedding flowers for friends and family over the years.
Jesus treated women with dignity, compassion, and respect.
Jesus was revolutionary in how he treated women; he treated women with dignity, compassion, and respect. Whether it was the woman at the well, the woman caught in adultery or Mary Magdalene. He saw beyond their pasts and offered them new life. He didn’t just tolerate women in His ministry; He welcomed, valued, and also entrusted them with delivering His message. The same Jesus who lifted up these women in the Bible wants to lift us up today.
“He didn’t just tolerate women in His ministry; He welcomed, valued, and also entrusted them with delivering His message. ”
The Bible is filled with strong, faithful women who inspire us even today. One of my favourites is Martha. Though she, sometimes, gets a bad name for being busy preparing food while her sister sat at Jesus’ feet, I relate to Martha; someone has to prep and cook the meal! More importantly, we see her deep faith in John 11:21-22, when her brother Lazarus dies. She tells Jesus, “If you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask.” Even in her grief, she believed that God would work His purpose out. That kind of faith is powerful.
Then there’s Ruth, whose faithfulness to her mother-in-law Naomi and to God led to unexpected blessings—first with grain when they were starving, then with a husband, and later with a child. Who was in the line of Jesus.
On this International Women’s Day, let’s celebrate women. Many women in the world suffer injustice—they are ignored, sidelined, abused, and told they can’t, simply because they are women. Many have no voice, even in the church today. But God sees them. He sees us. Just as He saw Hagar. He loves and cares deeply for women, and He has used women powerfully throughout history.
Inspiration
How will you connect with IWD 2025?
On a personal note, I like to mark ‘International Women’s day’ with a Facebook post on my own personal page and Instagram as I want to celebrate Women.
I manage the church Facebook and its so easy for me to hide behind the church banner, but if we want to connect with our friends, we need to be bold and share with our own friends. This year I will be using a post I created on the back of the post already mentioned above.
A bit more about Paula
This year, my husband Paul and I are celebrating 40 years of marriage. We have been blessed with two grown-up children and three wonderful grandchildren.
I have worked as a dental nurse for many years and currently serve in the Community Dental Service in Liverpool, where we provide specialised care for patients who cannot be treated in a high street dental practice.
My faith has been central to my life since I became a Christian at the age of seven. I’m actively involved in Bethel Church, Liverpool; until very recently I was involved in reviving a women's ministry in our church, I also serve in the music group on a Sunday and take part in the Saturday morning community breakfast rota.
Additionally, I support and encourage my husband in his role as the leader in charge of our Boys' Brigade company.
In my spare time, I enjoy reading, crocheting, sewing, creating flowers, visiting family, and walking outdoors.