In celebration of International Women’s Day, we are showcasing women who work across a variety of roles here at Derby County. We ask them what International Women’s Day mean to them, and the women who inspire them.

From delivery staff, administration, marketing, and finance female staff are an integral part of Derby County Community Trust, women make up 50% of our senior leadership team, and we are proud to mark the significant contribution of all our female staff members as a part of International Women’s Day.

Shannon Parkes | DCCT Inclusion | Disability Officer
Shannon works across our disability programmes and runs the FA Wildcats programme and is in charge of our sensory room.

What does IWD mean to me?
It is a day to empower and reflect on the greatness of all women. Make it known that we are all equal, strong, and independent individuals.

Inspiration: A woman that inspires me, has and always will be my Mom – I believe we inspire and empower one another every day, we support and have overcome many life changing events over the years and I admire her strength.

Gabriella Tabbenor | DCCT Inclusion | Inclusion Mentor
Supporting with all areas of mentoring, and helping young people with complex needs and challenging behaviour

What does IWD mean to me?
It is a reminder of how far we have come and the people that fought for our rights throughout history, such as the right to vote, however, it is also a reminder of how far there is still to go.

Inspiration: It might sound cliché but a woman who inspires me is my mum, she brought us up as a single parent, whilst working full time so that we had everything we needed, she still works now in her 70’s so for me her work ethic is inspiring.

Ellie Marshall | DCCT Schools and Coaching | Coach
Works in our schools and coaching team, and coaches on a variety of our programmes from: after-school club, weekend club, community coaching, and holiday camps.

What does IWD mean to me?
It's an opportunity to celebrate women’s accomplishments, it also educates us on why gender equality is important and brings a whole worldwide community together.

Inspiration: Fara Williams inspires me as her story represents much more than sport, it represents hardship and resilience and inspires me not only me but a generation of women to believe that dreams can become reality. 

Sara Adcock – | DCCT Health | Physical Activity and Health Officer I
Sara works on our child weight management programme, as well as helping out on our green programme.

What does IWD mean to me?
International Women’s Day for me is a day to think about how far women have come in terms of equality.  It's hard to imagine that in today's society that women had to fight for the right to vote. As the Mother of 3 teenagers, 2 of them girls, its really important they that know they can achieve anything they put their minds to and not face prejudice because of their gender.  I feel International Women’s Day really highlights this to them and myself that women can do anything,  and there are some amazing role models out there that are forging the way for all  women out there.

Inspiration: My Grandmother really inspired me in life.  She was amazing woman who grew up in a large family, and  always stayed close to them.  She had some amazing adventures in life, especially during World War 2 in the WRAF, she let slip once that she had a fondness for American Airmen and never went short of nylons and chocolate.  She met my Grandad in the WRAF and married after the war.  It always amazed me how resilient she was, life could through anything at her and she would just face it head on.  She loved her family and always made time for us, and was always there to offer support and advice.

Shannon Purdy - DCCT Education
Shannon works in our education department where she coaches one of our post-16 further education female squads, she also supports one of our students with additional needs on the further education programmes, Shannon also coaches our under 10 female talent pathway squad, she also leads on the ETC emerging talent centre. 

What does IWD mean to me?
This celebrates how far women have come in modern times. As a football coach, it highlights how women have equal access to roles that they strive to succeed in, that years ago would have been highly male-dominated. I think it highlights to younger people the opportunities available to them, no matter who they are or what the job is. 

Inspiration: I think the whole England women's team is inspirational to me as they show desire, strength, passion and togetherness within the sport. Lucy Bronze in particular as she has strong beliefs and characters both on and off the pitch. Her charity work aims to make football more available to women, which inspires me within my role at DCCT hoping to make female football valued by the community. 

Amelia Jones | EDI Lead at DCCT and DCFC 
Amelia helps make different programmes be as inclusive as possible, helps with staff development and training, as well as helping to organise EDI events, such as Iftar, and being a part of Pride Park Pride.

What does IWD mean to me? International Women’s Day to me is about several things from highlighting the progress of women but also highlighting the struggles of women around the world from reproductive rights to abuse and violence against women. International Women’s Day to me is also about inclusive intersectional feminism, standing up for all women, whether they’re LGBTQ+, refugees, or homeless, is about including all women.

Inspiration: A woman who inspires me is Doreen Lawrence after her teenage son Stephen Lawrence was killed in a racist attack in 1993. She went on and prompted and help to lead huge reforms in the police and founded the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust. She has been campaigning for an inclusive society for everyone to live their best life, regardless of gender, race, sexuality, religion, disability or background, show also now sits in the House of Lords. To go through one of the hardest things imaginable, by losing her son, to then go on and campaign and to want to create a fairer more equal society, is nothing short of remarkable.