International Women's Day 2021 - Stories of Hope and Courage
International Women’s Day occurs every year on the 8th of March with the purpose of celebrating, not just the movement for women’s rights, but everything they achieve within our communities and society as a whole.
Maintaining faith and continuing to walk with hope when the road gets bumpy can often get difficult. As many of us will know, working in the media can present it’s own set of unique challenges and obstacles. It can take real perseverance and courage to pick yourself up again and keep pushing forward, even when the odds seemed stacked against you.
That’s why this year it is especially important for us to not only celebrate the Christian Women in our media, but to stand with them as they share some personal testimonies on how they managed to find hope this year.
Natalie Williams
Natalie is a former print journalist and co-author of three books on poverty in the UK. In April, she becomes CEO of Christian charity Jubilee+, having been head of communications and policy there for the last five years.
“Stories are powerful. That’s not breaking news to anyone who works in or with the media, but in the last year it’s hit home for me with fresh clarity. At the start of the pandemic, the emerging narrative was that we were all in the same boat. So telling the stories of people trapped in poverty already, or plunged into it due to the pandemic, has been more important than ever.
Stories have opened the eyes of those who are comfortable, weathering coronavirus on a metaphorical cruise-liner, to the plight of those who are clinging for dear life to driftwood in the raging seas, so to speak. Why does this matter? Stories can spark and encourage compassion, kindness, generosity and loving our neighbours as ourselves.
Hope has risen in my own heart as I’ve seen such stories rise to the surface. We may never know how much hope this has brought to the hearts of those who have benefited from the active compassion that has been inspired as a result.”
Amaris Cole
Amaris Cole is Head of Digital for the Church of England, developing the Church’s digital platforms and campaigns to meet evangelism and discipleship priorities. She is passionate about purpose-driven digital innovation and leading ambitious teams.
“The last year has shown me that we are all capable of far more than we ever dreamt. Whether that’s churches that have become experts in live streaming worship, TikTok Vicars or individuals who have created communities through their social channels so that even though we’re all apart, we don’t need to be alone.
Creativity has flourished through adversity, and although my team – like so many I’m sure – spent the first few months responding to the changing rules and guidelines, we were able to develop creative solutions to the unique problems covid brought us, and actually see opportunities to reach new audiences.
Digital – and the wider Church – has become a more accessible place and it’s beautiful to see. My hope is that we’ll all remember what we’re capable of, as individuals and as the Church, and continue to think about innovative ways of connecting with those we may never have reached before.”
Julia Bicknell
Julia Bicknell reports on the global Church under pressure for its faith on worldwatchmonitor.org which she co-founded in 2012, and for which she won a global award with a female colleague in 2019. Before that, she was a BBC reporter/producer/presenter for over 30yrs, including on ‘Woman’s Hour’ on Radio 4. She was the first Breakfast Show co-presenter on Premier Radio, where she started the News operation and was on the launch team of the BBC News Channel in 1997.
“I’ve been able to keep writing and editing this past year; the technology enables that. The biggest challenge is hearing about young Christian women experiencing abuse in many countries - exacerbated during lockdown - but not being able to report it, because they’re afraid for it to become public.
They’re intimidated, often blackmailed by perpetrators or police or by their community. So they’re prevented from seeking justice, let alone healing from their trauma. Stats show up to 1 in 4 women in some EU states have reported domestic violence, so imagine how much worse lockdown is for women who suffer the ‘triple whammy’ of ill-treatment for not only their gender, but also their poverty and their religion.
What gives me hope is that God’s Spirit is not locked down! The early Church first grew when Christians cared for plague victims, and I’m excited to hear of its current crisis response, often led by local women.”
Andi Russell
Andi Russell is an experienced PR and media professional with over 25 years expertise in the industry. She co-founded the agency Jersey Road PR in 2010. Now with a team of 12, it specialises in providing strategic, creative communications support, PR and media services for Christian charities, churches and ethical businesses across the UK, US and Australia.
“Moving our training courses online has been a challenge this year. I’ve learned again that God gives me all I need, nothing is impossible in Him and despite missing training people in-person, the online sessions are just as good, impactful & fun. Even in a pandemic when things are more restrictive, God is always on the move & everyday I’m blown away by His grace & kindness in the big and small things of life, family & work.
I started my career in media in the late 90s & initially didn’t meet any Christians in the same industry. Digging deep into my faith & having others support and pray for me gave me hope as a woman and Christian in a secular, competitive environment. Having co-founded the agency Jersey Road PR 11 years ago, I love to mentor others working in media, giving them the same support that was given to me years ago.”
Tobi Olujinmi
Tobi Olujinmi is not only a Trustee for Christians in Media, she is also the founder of the WTALK, a multiplatform Entertainment & Faith Network which empowers Women to explore Faith via Entertainment. W360 is the membership streaming service of WTALK set to redefine Faith within global entertainment.
“I work in the media as a producer, speaker and broadcaster and so my day in and day out is centred around creativity and truth. 2020 raised the bar for what is required of my creativity. It empowered me to produce and broadcast from my essence – not being afraid to share the truth with boldness. As I watched the world respond to the pandemic and my world be impacted personally by what we were all feeling collectively; though at times painful, it has reminded me of the privilege I’ve been afforded to get to do what I love every day.
Being a Christian working in the media during some of the darkest times in my lifetime; gave me the opportunity to shine brighter, it fuelled my passion to share hope and it sharpened the tools of my creativity. Honestly, and I’m sure the same is true for many – 2020 further revealed the beauty of my essence being found in Christ and the importance for everything to flow there.”
Julie Etchingham
Julie is an ITV Journalist, most easily recognised for her work on the channels ‘Tonight’ programme. She was the first woman to be named Royal Television Society Presenter of the Year in 2010, winning the award for a second time in 2016.
“There was a point in the first lockdown when we were all starting to get a bit more concerned than usual about child mental health. ‘Keep the conversations going with your teens’ we were all advised. Keep a close eye on their moods.
So one evening at dinner after an uplifting chat with our teenage sons about the positives of lockdown - less running around with a schedule, loads of time on the x box, more time with the dog etc - I then asked them ‘OK boys - what’s the worst thing about it?”
The fourteen year old didn’t skip a beat. “I’m just sick to death of the sight of the lot of you”
Well at least he was honest.
In many ways, despite some occasional frank and open exchanges of opinion at home - I’ve been incredibly fortunate. Working in tv news meant I got to leave the house - not only to head to the studio, but out on the road to report. While I got to go to Florida for the US elections, my husband and boys were still - endlessly - stuck at home.
But there have been times I’ve found it hard. Usually when a big story breaks or dominates the agenda, you live and breathe every moment, but then go home, close the door and take a break. This is the one story we’ve not only covered, but lived every moment of, just like everyone else. There have been some nights when the news has been so bleak, I didn’t even want to take it into people’s homes. And you have to make sure that when reporting on the daily death statistics, you never disconnect yourself from the fact that every one of those figures represents a family in grief.
It’s been hard, too, not to able to go to Mass in my parish - to connect with the families we know best and my children have grown up with. Communion of course is at its heart and core; but its the warmth of the physical presence of all my lovely mum friends I miss too. We sometimes walk through the park with one another - but that sense of all being safely gathered in, in our pews in our old church is irreplaceable. But I have sat down to Mass online every week with the boys, often with the dog at our feet, and made time for prayer and reflection. That anchor in my life has got me through the last twelve months.
When Easter comes this year, it will feel like the end of the longest Lent we’ve ever known.”
