International Women’s Day - Celebrating Women in Power

To mark International Women’s Day, several of Hastings’ women leaders met at East Sussex College for afternoon tea.

Women leaders from Hastings gathered at East Sussex College to celebrate and outline the commitment to empowering young women, sharing some of their experiences with the next generation to inspire them.

The group included Hastings and Rye MP Sally-Ann Hart; Hastings Borough Council Chief Executive Jane Hartnell; Leader of Hastings Borough Council Cllr Julia Hilton; Deputy Mayor of Hastings Cllr Heather Bishop; CEO and Principal of East Sussex College Rebecca Conroy; Deputy Principal of East Sussex College Lucy Mitchell; Assistant Director of East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service Julie King, and Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne. They were joined by representatives from other voluntary and charity sector partners and young women who are studying at East Sussex College.

They were joined by representatives from other voluntary and charity sector partners and young women who are studying at East Sussex College. The afternoon tea service was expertly catered by talented Hospitality and Catering students.

The event was organised by Jane Hartnell, Chief Executive at Hastings Borough Council, who said, “I noticed a few years ago that the colleagues I was working with at a senior level in the public, community and voluntary sector all started to have something in common, and it occurred to me that Hastings may well be quite an unusual place. Although not scientific, I do wonder whether there is anywhere else in the UK where women head up as many of the organisations that matter so much to the people of Hastings.

“Women hold elected leadership positions as the MP, Police and Crime Commissioner, Hastings Council’s Leader, Mayor, and Deputy Mayor. Organisations led by women include the Borough Council (Chief and Deputy Chief Executive), the County Council, Rother District Council, Sussex Police, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, East Sussex College’s Group, Education Future’s Trust, St Michael’s Hospice, Hastings Commons, Fellowship of St Nicholas, Citizen’s Advice 1066, Hastings Contemporary, Egg Tooth, Little Gate Farm, HEART, Afri-Co Lab, Arts on Prescription, Hastings Advice and Representation Centre, Counselling Plus, the Parchment Trust, Energise Sussex Coast, Hastings Women’s Voice and many more.

“This is another fabulous example of how Hastings bucks the trend. I wanted to celebrate this and share some of our experiences with some of the town’s young women to inspire them. I am really grateful to East Sussex College for hosting the event and to the catering students who worked so hard to provide us with a lovely afternoon tea.”

Rebecca Conroy, CEO & Principal at East Sussex College, said, "It was a privilege to host so many women leaders at East Sussex College ahead of International Women's Day. We believe in fostering environments of inspiration, and this event reinforced our commitment to empowering young women. Their stories and achievements were so inspiring for the next generation of women leaders."