International Women's Day 2022: Breaking the Bias

Alleyn's celebrated International Women's Day 2022 on 8 March with a series of talks, a poster campaign and pledges. Morning assembly began with a screening of a video made by my pupils highlighting the women who are role models in their lives and who strive to #BreakTheBias - this year's theme. These amazing women ranged from poet Amanda Gorman and US Congresswoman Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez to, of course, their own mothers.

The assembly was jointly led by Alleyn's Gender Equality Champions and FemSoc who spoke about the achievements of incredible individuals and groups who have made an impact towards equality and helped to redress the balance in the workplace and in society. We learned about the US National Soccer who won the case for equal pay, the Norwegian Women's Beach Volleyball team who refused to play in bikinis and instigated the change to thigh-length shorts. We also heard about the flight attendants of the Ukrainian Airline SkyUp changing their uniform to trousers and trainers. In STEM, a woman who impressed us all in breaking the bias is Brittany Wenger, an American student who won the Google Science Fair with an app that predicts signs of breast cancer. Year 12 footballer Edie spoke about breaking the bias by becoming the first girl to play for Alleyn's 1st XI. Whether sportswomen or scientists and indeed our very own champions, we were delighted to celebrate these incredible women.

Alongside a week-long programme of IDW 2022 events, Alleyn's launched a poster campaign that shows members of the community striking a post to #BreakTheBias. Leading the charge was Head Jane Lunnon who pledged "We will delight in the celebrating and promoting equality, kindness and respect to all", a true International Women's Day statement but also one that we embrace every day at Alleyn's.

Other events this week include:

• Wearing purple for IWD2022
• Learn with the Lords: Question Time for International Women's Day featuring a panel with Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, Baroness Jenny McIntosh and Baroness Helen Newlove, who discussed the different ways to bring about change and examples of campaigns that have fought to break the gender bias.
• Women in Elite Sport: the Race Against Adversity, a talk by Year 12s Gabriella and Sally.
• Gender Disparity in Healthcare, a talk y MedSoc students Amy and Emily.
• BioSoc and GeoSoc talks by Year 13 Iris and Year 12s Raf and Freddie.
• Fenner Library display of book about women from all over the world and throughout history.
• Junior School activities to raise awareness of women's achievements.