Colchester supports young women in the lead-up to International Women’s Day!

Full of historical, feminist icons, Colchester Town is buzzing with International Women’s Day events, supporting the young women who live there.

As International Women’s Day approaches once again, Colchester is full of bright, young women who know what it’s like to feel proud to be a woman.

Despite it being pegged as the most miserable town in the UK, plenty of girls have a reason to smile as they get ready to visit their friends and post social media updates thanking the wonderful women they know.

Although it’s only a day, the events surrounding International Women’s Day last all week, with some having already taken place. Nearby cities throw parties, but it seems Colchester’s focus is on educating and empowering young women.

The University of Essex had its first event on the 5th, a business event that hosted a panel of successful women hoping to inspire and support young, female entrepreneurs. 

In a similar fashion, St. Mary’s School for Girls is hosting its event ‘Future Females Careers Fair’ tomorrow morning. The event is for primary and secondary school girls aged 8-16, set to empower their futures and look at jobs and ideas. 

But feminism isn’t a new idea in Colchester- once known as Camulodunum, it’s the oldest recorded town in Britain, and used to be the capital of England until Boudica burned it. 

Boudica is considered a feminist icon, ruling in a time when men completely dominated the system. The modern Colchester is still home to Roman ruins, and proof of women having power. 

“We learned about Boudica in school- I’ve never enjoyed history much, but I always thought it was really cool that she burned down Colchester. If I were her, I would have too!”, says Ruth, a local case administrator. 

In fact, Colchester is full of brilliant historical women! Last year, a statue of the poet Jane Taylor, author of ‘Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star’, was unveiled on the High Street. She actually wrote the nursery rhyme in Colchester in 1806.

Colchester’s legacy continues to inspire the young women living there today, proving they can do and be anybody they want.