There are moments in life when you pause, not because you are tired, but because your spirit is full.

This March 2026, International Women’s Month gifted me several of those moments.

From speaking as one of three voices at the Women 4 Africa International Women’s Day Conference, to Zoom meet up in Birmingham for the Nubian Collective Women’s Group, to being invited as a Guest of Honour at The Extraordinary Achievers Charity Awards, to powerful standing in London receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award at The Power of a Woman Awards - I found myself not just showing up, but truly feeling seen.

And yet, as I stood in those rooms and on those platforms, one thought kept returning to me:

This was never just about me.

It was about us.

It was about every woman who has walked a path quietly, courageously, and often without applause.

The Power I Have Witnessed

As someone who has lived and worked across many spaces, editorial rooms, mentoring circles, community platforms, and motivational stages, I have had a front-row seat to something extraordinary:

The quiet power of women.

Not always loud.
Not always visible.
But always impactful.

I have seen women:

• Rise after rejection 

• Lead while carrying unseen burdens 

• Support others while navigating their own storms 

That kind of strength does not need a microphone.

It changes lives anyway.

The Moment Behind the Words

At the heart of all these beautiful recognitions was a message I felt deeply called to share. A message that was not crafted for applause, but for truth.

Here is what I shared:

“Today we celebrate women — the builders, the healers, the thinkers, the dreamers, and the doers."

Women who write the stories.
Women who guide the journeys.
Women who lift others when the road feels heavy.

As someone who has walked through many spaces — editorial rooms, mentoring circles, community platforms and motivational stages — I have had the honour of witnessing the quiet power of women every single day.

Power that does not always shout,
but changes lives.

Today, I salute the women who use their voices to tell the truth.
The women who stand beside another woman and say, ‘You can do this.’
The women who refuse to dim their light, even when the world feels dark.

I honour the journalists who keep stories alive.
The mentors who hold a torch for the next generation.
The coaches who help others rediscover their strength.
And the everyday women, mothers, daughters, sisters, colleagues, and friends who show up with courage, even when no one is applauding.

Because the truth is this:

When women rise, communities rise.
When women support each other, the world becomes stronger.

So today is not just about celebration.
It is about recognition, gratitude, and responsibility.

May we continue to lift as we climb.
May we continue to speak truth with courage.
And may we never forget the extraordinary power we hold when women stand together.

Happy International Women’s Day.

Let us keep rising. together.

More Than a Celebration

What this month reminded me - deeply and personally- is that recognition is beautiful, but responsibility is powerful.

Because every stage we step onto,
Every award we receive,
Every room we enter creates space for another woman to believe she can, too.

And that, to me, is the real work.

The Call Forward

So, as we move beyond International Women’s Day and continue through this month, and beyond, I leave you with this:

Let us not return to silence.
Let us not shrink back into old patterns.
Let us not forget what we felt in these moments of celebration.

Instead

Let us:

• Lift another woman without hesitation 

• Speak life into rooms that feel heavy 

• Celebrate loudly and support consistently 

• And most importantly, stand together - intentionally 

Because we are not just part of a moment.

We are part of a movement.

Closing Reflection

I am deeply grateful.
For the platforms.
For the recognition.
For the journey.

But above all

For the women.

Because nothing I have experienced this month exists without the power, presence, and perseverance of women who continue to rise, every single day.

And I am honoured to rise alongside you.

Sherry Ann Dixon