Storytelling and celebration: a magical night for International Women’s Day
14th April 2025
Author EditorPosted on Categories Networking & Events
By Sam Thomas.
What happens when you bring together an inspirational group of women, all with different paths, passions and perspectives, to share their stories over dinner?
Pure magic.
That’s exactly what unfolded at The Old Ship Hotel in Brighton, where we hosted a very special International Women’s Day (IWD) storytelling dinner — an intimate gathering of extraordinary women brought together to celebrate, connect, and inspire.
The event followed the Sussex Business Times IWD Special Issue, which featured a powerful collection of stories highlighting local women who are leading change, challenging norms and showing up authentically in business and life. The dinner extended that spirit — bringing the pages to life with real voices, real stories and real emotion.
What made the evening so special wasn’t just the setting or the food — it was the courageous vulnerability and open-hearted storytelling from each attendee. From tales of entrepreneurial grit and personal transformation to reflections on identity, resilience and humour in the face of adversity, every woman in the room brought something unique and powerful to the table.
Guests included contributors to our special issue: Lyndsey Clay, Michelle Barrett, Angela Arnold, Becky Stevens, Helen Guinness, Hansa Raja, Sarah Rebello, Kim Butler, Jackie Irving-Wilkinson, Marina from Zest for Life Coaching and NLP Training, and Mary Kemp. Their stories sparked connection, laughter and emotion — reminding us all of the transformative power of being heard.
A huge thank you to Howie McConnell for capturing the energy of the evening through video and photography, allowing us to relive the emotion and connection time and time again.
This wasn’t just another networking event. This was an experience — an opportunity to pause, reflect and celebrate the strength and stories of women in our community.
If you missed this year’s gathering but feel called to be a part of the next one — or want to contribute to our 2026 International Women’s Day feature — please reach out to me or Jackie Irving-Wilkinson. We’re already planning something just as meaningful.
Let’s keep celebrating women. Let’s keep sharing stories. Because when women come together like this, the result is nothing short of magical.
sam@different-hats.co.uk