Kilkenny Design is calling on everyone to celebrate the amazing women in their life, not only during March, but throughout the year. As part of this campaign, Kilkenny Design has set up an open letter platform on its website which enables users to pen a personalised open letter to “The woman who made me, me”. This woman could be a mother, grandmother, friend, aunt, sibling, business mentor or colleague; a person who helped and supported them with their strength and kindness. For every open letter downloaded from the site, Kilkenny Design will donate €1 to Safe Ireland – a charity which aims to make Ireland a safer place for women and children. The open letter feature will be available on www.kilkennyshop.com for all of 2021.

An Post CEO David McRedmond, international canoeist Jenny Egan and broadcaster Sonya Lennon are part of the line-up for a free online event that will examine the challenges to gender equality in Ireland, and provide practical steps to overcome them, today from 3pm to 4pm. The event will consider the responsibilities for addressing gender inequality from a personal, professional and societal perspective, and feature practical insights from the experience of industry leaders on implementing change. The event is open to all, but registration in advance is required and is available through dressforsuccessdublin.org.

The Doyle Collection has just launched a “head shot” initiative offering complimentary portrait photographs for women in business across its hotels in London, Dublin, Cork and Washington DC. Participants will be able to book a slot on selected dates this summer to have their headshots captured by Irish female photographers in a safe and socially distanced environment. Every participant will be gifted with a goodie bag filled with treats from each hotel. This initiative has been supported by The Doyle Collection’s Chairman, Bernie Gallagher. The daughter of the late PV Doyle who founded the group and now Chairman herself, she is determined to support and empower the next generation of international businesswomen. Mrs Gallagher says, “We hope this initiative will instil greater confidence in women taking part in business throughout the world.” www.doylecollection.com

Designer Anine Bing, who is profiled in our new issue of THE GLOSS, endorses the The Dress for Success “Your Hour, Her Power” campaign which runs the month of March. Anine Bing says, “I am donating an hour of my pay to help empower women. All women, regardless of their race, background, social or economic status, should have the opportunity to thrive in both their personal and professional lives. As a brand, we remain committed to empowering, educating, and and uplifting women and children around the world.” You can also shop Bing’s edit of “power pieces” perfect for when we return to office life on eu.aninebing.com.

The Cliff hotel group is supporting, celebrating and highlighting its favourite Irish female-owned brands today. These include luxury sleepwear brand Moon & Mellow, organic bed linen company White & Green (pictured above), Ireland’s first art and movement mat Flowstate, owned by Adrienne Murphy. As well as featuring inspiring interviews of these entrepreneurial women on its website (until March 10), Cliff will be donating five per cent from sales of these collections to Women’s Aid, the national organisation working to stop domestic violence against women and children in Ireland. It’s a good opportunity to treat yourself or your Mum to a gift before March 14; www.cliffhome.ie.

Dublin Theatre Festival is asking questions on the subject of “Women in Leadership” during a free Zoom today at 3pm. Panellists from the arts, politics and law will be sharing their experiences and their analysis. The panel includes Minister Catherine Martin, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Tara Doyle, the first female Chairperson of Matheson; Anne Clarke, pictured, founder of Landmark Productions; Mamobo Ogoro, founder of Gorm TV and Deirdre Kinahan, award winning playwright. The event will be moderated by Maria Fleming, General Manager of Dublin Theatre Festival. The event is free and all are welcome, with registration needed at www.dublintheatrefestival.ie.

Created by Stillgarden Distillery’s own “boss lady” Viki Baird, a new limited edition gin Boss Lady Gin, €35, is a fresh, juicy mix of botanicals including watermelon, peach and mango. The Boss Lady Gift Box, €55, is one option for us to celebrate with the women in our lives. This contains the limited edition gin, two glasses with mixers, a greeting card as well as two garden tour tickets to use at Stillgarden Distillery in the future which includes a complimentary cocktail. €2 from every bottle, and €3 from every Boss Lady gift box sold will be donated to Women’s Aid; www.stillgardendistillery.com.

According to the latest Homeless Report from the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage, there are 5,987 adults experiencing homelessness in Ireland. Approximately 36 per cent are women, which is on average up to 13 per cent higher than European counterparts. Dublin Simon Community is marking International Women’s Day with a video highlighting the challenges faced by women in homelessness. The brief video, on its website, takes an inside look at one of Dublin Simon’s emergency accommodation services, Maple House, and features interviews with the predominantly female team, discussing issues like access to children, domestic violence, physical and sexual assault, and what the team at Maple House are doing to help women in homelessness feel safe. Those wishing to support the work of Dublin Simon Community can make a donation at www.dubsimon.ie.

Irish printmakers Jando are offering 20 per cent off their vibrant and colourful Bull Island Ladies Bathing Shelter print until March 9. Working only with local suppliers and using sustainable materials wherever possible, all prints are available in A4, A3, A2 and A1 and can be sent framed or unframed; www.jando.ie.