Recognising redheaded women for International Women’s Day
Believe it or not, it all started in 1908.
The first ‘National Women’s Day was held on March 8, in the USA.
The day was dedicated to honouring a garment workers strike in New York, where a group of ladies took to the streets to protest their working conditions.
Since then, women have been recognised for their achievements in countries all over the globe.
The very first ‘International Women’s Day’ was held in 1911, in Austria, Germany, Denmark and Switzerland.
The day saw more than one million people march in the streets to advocate for women’s rights.
People were heard chanting for a woman’s right to work in higher occupations, to vote in general elections, and to hold positions in governments worldwide.
I mean, what isn’t to love about a day that is literally dedicated to promoting equal rights.
Since then, International Women’s Day has been celebrated every year – on March 8.
But for us redheads, where are the redheaded women that we should be celebrating this International Women’s Day, and who are they?
Stacey Dooley
Of course, starting with my favourite redhead of all time: Stacey Dooley.
First, Stacey is an advocate for human rights. Second, Stacey is TV presenter and journalist for the BBC.
At just 21 years old, Stacey first emerged on our TV screens in a documentary about fast fashion. The BBC documentary was named Blood, Sweat, and T-Shirts and followed a group of youngsters and their reaction to the fast fashion industry, garment factories and working conditions.
After asking so many questions throughout the docuseries, the producers asked her to return for another series. This time, Stacey commissioned as the presenter of the docu-series Stacey Dooley Investigates.
Later on, Stacey appeared on CBBC, in a series took youngsters to visit and work in sweatshops across the globe – trust me, it was the top show for tweens!
Stacey is also an author and has written books that tackle mental health issues and feminism. ‘On the Front Line with the Women Who Fight Back’ was released in 2018, and her most recent publication, ‘Are You Really OK?’ was released in 2022.
While others already know her as the redheaded journalist, Stacey regularly expresses her ginger pride. Recently, she has become the face of Clairol’s Nice’n Easy box dye, in the shade 8WR Golden Auburn.
Hari Nef
Hari Nef is an American fashion model and actress. But no, she is much more than that. Most importantly, Hari Nef is also an activist!
While Hari is not a natural redhead, she went viral for her red hair in 2014. You may recognise her as the face of Gucci’s ‘Bloom’ campaign?
When ginger hair wasn’t trending like it is nowadays, Hari was already rocking the carrot-topped locks – she is a loyal one!
Hari Nef was the first transgender model to appear on the cover of major British magazines like, Elle. She was also the first transgender model to be signed with IMG Models, who also work with Hailey Bieber and Gigi Hadid.
Since then, Hari has advocated for trans rights all over the globe and has openly spoken out against the struggles that trans people face.
In an interview, Hari said: “I’m fun, ruthless, articulate, impatient, maybe a little cavalier. I’m a woman and a feminist. I’m transgender. I’m an actress, a reluctant writer, occasionally a potato-shaped model.”
In 2023, after the Barbie trailer was released, the world found out that Hari would be playing the role of a Doctor Barbie – who has red hair!
Lucy Burns
Like her surname, her hair was also burning.
Lucy Burns was an American Suffragist who fought for women to have the right to vote – Hallelujah!
Lucy spent most of her life leading protests in the cause for women’s suffrage. Like us, Lucy was a redhead and she used her fiery side for activism.
Unlike the Suffragettes, known for their militant tactics, Lucy was a member of the Suffragists, remembered for their peaceful marches. Although the suffragists did not condone violent processions, anything was possible and Lucy actually spent time in jail for showing her support!
The Suffragists hosted pageants, parades and “suffrage trains”. The women threw bottles containing suffrage messages into the sea and threw Votes for Women leaflets out of biplanes.
Towards the end of her life, Lucy said: “I think we have done all this for women, and we have sacrificed everything we possessed for them, and now let them fight for it now”.
Karen Elson
Next up, Karen Elson, a redheaded runway supermodel!
Throughout her modelling career, Karen walked for huge brands, including Gucci, Dior, Dolce & Gabanna, Alexander McQueen, and Chanel. Karen is also known for being on the cover of over 30 international magazines, such as Vogue, Dazed & Confused, and Harper’s Bazaar – just to name a few!
Although she said she was planning to retire from modelling at the age of 40, Karen has been walking many catwalks. Karen has also appeared on CNN as an advocate for children’s rights and those struggling with mental health disorders.
In her book, ‘The Red Flame’, which was released in 2020, Karen opens up about her eating disorder, and standing up to her harassers.
…you!
International Women’s Day is a day dedicated to celebrating women’s achievements, no matter how big or small.
The day highlights the contributions of women to events in history and society today and that includes YOU.
So redheaded women, pop a bottle of bubbly on the 8 March, because you too are encouraged to reminisce and celebrate your own achievements with your pals!
March is also Women’s History Month, so it gives us all the more reason to recognise the achievements of redheaded women!