International Women’s Day is a time to celebrate achievements of all women, to raise awareness, and create an inclusive world. Directors of SILKS Luxury Lifestyle Specialists, Amanda Cooper and Alison O’Neill, have helped to support thousands of women over the past 10 years. So we asked for their thoughts on IDW 2021 and who their female role models are.

“Strong women need not declare they can carry all the burdens in life. They just quietly do it and survive with a smile.” – Princess Maleiha Bajunaid Candao

Who have been your female role models, especially during 2020/21?

Amanda: We are both fortunate that we have been surrounded by incredible women in our personal lives: our mothers, our daughters and our circles of supportive best friends. But we have both been completely blown away by the strength and tenacity that we have seen from all women this past year. The roles that most women have had to undertake has been nothing short of astonishing, especially those of the front line workers. Females within the NHS have had to risk their lives and those of their families, whilst some have had the added pressure of having to juggle being a parent and home-schooling children. Teachers have adapted incredibly quickly to provide the very best schooling and support for our children and we can not thank all of these women enough.

Alison O’Neill & Amanda Cooper, Directors of SILKS Luxury Lifestyle Specialists

How has SILKS Luxury Lifestyle helped to support women?

Alison: For the past 10 years, we have recruited private household staff for HNW clients, and many of the staff that we have placed have been female. It is incredibly rewarding to know that SILKS has played a small part in helping these women. During 2020/21, we have placed women in full time, permanent roles and we have created opportunities in an uncertain time. As a business, we have adapted the way in which we recruit to ensure the safety for our clients and candidates, but we are enabling these women to thrive and support their families financially during the pandemic. The candidates that we work with are from a diverse cultural and social backgrounds, and we are so grateful that we can do our small part to support women in this way.

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