Pink Shoe Senate

Jill Pay, Chairman of the Pink Shoe Senate chaired the first Senate meeting of the year and welcomed two new Senators whom we are sure will make a great contribution to the strategic growth and international outlook of Pink Shoe - Fiona Capstick, Associate Director at EY; and Laura Cordingley (nee Brown) from the Mayor's Office, who is shortly moving to take up the post of CEO at 'Chance to Shine' the MCC charity. 

They were joined by longstanding Senators Sue Lawton MBE, international womens' champion and a valued supporter of Pink Shoe; along with Elizabeth Crowther Hunt chairman of the Westminster Business Council; and Pink Shoe founder Helene Martin Gee.

After a highly productive meeting, in true Pink Shoe style we adjourned for a glass of Champagne.

Annual IWD Lecture at the House of Commons

Pink Shoe Ambassadors attended the annual IWD Lecture at the House of Commons. 

Helen Pankhurst, great-granddaughter of Emmeline and granddaughter of Sylvia Pankhurst gave an inspiring introduction. 

International development and women’s activist, author and adviser to CARE International, Helen spoke about her new book ‘Deeds not Words’ in which she writes the story of about women’s rights to mark the centenary of women’s suffrage.

Harriet Harman delivered the lecture, entitled ‘A Women's Work' she reflected on her time as a woman in Parliament and how the experience has changed since she was first elected in 1982 – with an increasin numbers of female MPs across all parties. 



Harriet also considered the pros and cons of all-women shortlists and their impact on female participation in politics.

IWD Afternoon Tea

In what has become an annual tradition, Pink Shoe Ambassadors were hosted by Lorely -Baroness Burt - at the House of Lords in honour of International Women's Day 2018. 

Lorely talked to us about her support of Karma Nirvana; founded by Jasvinder Sanghera CBE the charity is doing vital work to support potential victims of forced marriage and honour-based abuse. 

We all bought spoon badges, which signify the very practical step that girls can take to prevent having to get married against their will. See: https://www.karmanirvana.org.uk/

This year's IWD theme of #PressforProgress was the basis of our roundtable conversations as we explored how Pink Shoe is supporting and encouraging women through its wide range of activities and what more we can do in the future. 

NatWest 'Women of Influence' Dinner

Jill Pay and Helene Martin Gee were honoured to join Julie Baker, Head of Enterprise at NatWest, for the first 'Women of Influence' dinner held at Drummonds Bank in the sumptuous Trafalgar Room. 

It was a remarkable evening combining history, splendour and lively conversation over an excellent dinner.







Firstly, guests learned something of the long and renowned history of Drummonds, with its national and international royal customers through the centuries to the present day.

Dinner conversation focused on women in business and covered many topics including mentoring, investment for growth and the importance of networks.

EY Female Entrepreneurs' Dinner

Our founder Helene was delighted once again to be a guest of EY at this fascinating dinner discussion hosted by Jennifer Wytcherley and Joanna Santinon at 1 Lombard Street. 

Guests heard from former EY partner and founder of Endless, Garry Wilson about his fascinating journey to set up what is now a fully fledged private equity house, with almost £1bn of funds under investment having aquired 80 businesses. 


Garry gave a unique vision into what drives him and excellent insight from an investment perspective, along with top tips on how to secure investment for a growing business. Essential knowledge for anyone seeking to scale-up.

Launch of the Vote 100 Project

Helene Martin Gee and Jill Pay represented Pink Shoe at the official celebrations to launch Parliament’s Vote 100 project in Westminster Hall. 

The event was hosted by The Prime Minister (and Pink Shoe Patron!) Theresa May along with Mr Speaker and the Lord Speaker.

We were entertained by two excellent choirs then heard from Jordhi Nullatamby MYP who was awe inspiring with her confident and engaging words – a future leader for sure. 

Theresa May also inspired as she paid tribute to the women before us and the vital role we play today; followed by John Bercow MP then Lord Fowler who each honoured the importance of the occasion.



Many guests paid homage by wearing Suffragette colours and it was wonderful to see so many female Parliamentarians, past and present. 

Congratulatations to Melanie Unwin, Mari Takayanagi and colleagues who created the extraordinary Vote 100 project. 















Vote 100 events are taking place across the country and Pink Shoe will be involved with two EqualiTeas we're holding in June and July.

Vote 100 Aperitivo

At such an historic time with the centenary of the first women getting the vote we held  an extra special Aperitivo with our Ambassadors and guests. 

Aperitivo events are deliberately intimate as members thoroughly enjoy being able to spend a bit more time connecting with each other and sharing ideas. 

This time it was essential as we visited the broom cupboard in the Chapel of St Mary Undercroft in the House of Commons to see the space that Emily Wilding Davison occupied on Census night 1911.

A small and unprepossessing place, it really is a cupboard! A plaque now commemorates the spot and was put up ‘illegally’ by Tony Benn MP. Emily’s census form gives her postal address as 'Found hiding in crypt of Westminster Hall' with the date of 3/4/1911. We must revisit on the anniversary itself.

Some if us were also able to view the Acts themselves which were on display from the Act Room just for one day.