Celebrating International Women’s Day at Nacro

Celebrating women from the past, and women now

Every year on 8th March, International Women’s Day recognises the achievements, struggles and resilience of women across the globe.

Today, Nacro is celebrating influential women from history who’ve paved the way for social justice, as well as celebrating the achievements of women now – women who are working for, supported by, or volunteering for Nacro.

Influential women from history

There are so many pioneering women who have achieved great things for social justice. Here are just a few who we’re highlighting today:

• Sarah Martin (1791 – 1843): Prison visitor and reformer, teaching people in prison to read and write.
• Mary Carpenter (1807-1877: Social reformer, and founder of free schools for poor children known as the “ragged schools”.
• Olive Morris (1952 – 1979): Community leader and housing activist. Olive co-founded Brixton Black Women’s Group and Organisation of Women of African and Asian Descent.

Women at Nacro today

For this International Women’s Day, we also wanted to spotlight some of the incredible women in Nacro’s community. Did you know that:

• 71% of our staff are women.
• We support girls and young women in our education centres, young women who are care-leavers, women at risk of homelessness, women who are victims and survivors of domestic abuse, and women who have been in contact with the criminal justice system.

Today, we’re renewing our commitment as an organisation to providing equal and equitable opportunities to women – in our 60^th anniversary year and beyond.

Mya’s journey working at Nacro

Mya Clark is a Service User Involvement Officer, amplifying the voices of the people we support across Nacro’s Justice, Health, Education and Housing services. Having seen the challenges people face when trying to rebuild their lives after contact with the justice system, she is passionate about making sure those most affected have a real say in the changes that matter. She ensures that the experiences of women are in each briefing and campaign Nacro produce, so that our policy calls are inclusive of both men’s and women’s experiences.

Empowering women through outdoor learning programmes

We provide a range of services for women and girls of different ages. Our Greater Manchester Outdoor Learning service delivers outdoor learning to young people and adults and has programmes specifically to empower women and non-binary people from diverse backgrounds.

The sessions are led by our brilliant volunteers and staff, who all have a keen interest in sharing the benefits of outdoor learning. The programmes provide women and girls with a safe space to connect with others, develop new skills and build confidence.

Find out more about Greater Manchester Outdoor Learning

Empowering young women and girls at our education centres

We provide personalised support to help young women at our Nacro Education centres achieve their goals and be who they want to be.

How Nacro staff are celebrating International Women’s Day

Our brilliant Women’s Diversity Action Staff Group have organised a panel discussion for International Women’s Day to hear the voices of women in the areas we work. Our women’s group meets regularly and is a space for staff to discuss specific challenges women face, put forward solutions, as well as to help influence policy in the areas we work.

The group have invited a London‑based charity, ID Essence, supporting women with lived experience of the justice system to be on a panel and speak openly about their experiences.

We champion the voices of women across Nacro – our colleagues and the people we support – making sure what matters to them shapes our work.

Women are the future

In remembering Sarah Martin, Mary Carpenter and Olive Morris – and celebrating women at Nacro today, like Mya, Maria and Tracy – we honour those who paved the way and support the women leading change now. In Nacro’s 60th year, we look forward to continuing to support and empower women across Nacro so that everyone has the chance to succeed.

Find out more about our services for women here.