For International Women’s Day, we wanted to highlight inspiring women who either work at Yeo Valley or help support us to encourage change. Have a read to find out more about what has inspired them, what International Women’s Day means to them and how they are breaking the bias…

Mary Mead, OBE, Co-founder of Yeo Valley

Has there been a particular female role model that has inspired you?

The most influential female that has inspired me most has been my mother-in-law, who was an outstanding farmer in her own right. 

Are there any personal achievements that you are proud of?

I have been fortunate to receive the radio 4 Food and Farming Award, also an honorary MA and OBE for services to sustainable dairy farming. I am particularly proud to have been made a Fellow of the Royal Agriculture Society of England, for the breeding of pedigree British Friesian cows on our organic farm.

What advice do you have for other women in your field?

My advice to other women would be to have the courage to follow your passion but don’t be afraid to ask for help.  

Becky Willson, Project Officer, Farm Carbon Toolkit

Becky is working with us measuring the soil health and soil carbon stocks of 20+ organic farms which supply Yeo Valley Organic

What advice do you have for other women in in your field?

Its an absolutely amazing industry to be in. Be confident and act with integrity. Don’t be afraid to say that we don’t have all the answers yet but by working together we can make great things happen.

What makes you proud to be a woman?

The combination of strength, compassion and empathy – which are a great foundation for good things to happen!

What does breaking the bias mean to you?

Calling out inequality and trying to do my bit when there is injustice. Providing an encouraging and inclusive environment which celebrates diversity and individual skills and talents.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

A chance to celebrate the diverse range of achievements by women.

Why do you think we should celebrate International Women’s Day?

It provides a platform which shares knowledge, enthusiasm and power for change.

Are there any personal achievements that you are proud of?

I am immensely proud to be a mother to my two fantastic girls who have taught me more about what it is to be a woman than anything else in my life. I am also proud of what I have achieved within FCT to make a difference which will provide impact.

Zelah, Yeo Valley Gardener

What advice do you have for other women in in your field?

We are often called the “weaker sex” – don’t believe it! We may be physiologically slightly different from men but we still have our own physical strength, intelligence and mental capacity is no different.  

Attitudes towards women in traditionally male roles are definitely changing. There are loads of amazing women in all areas of horticulture, but it would be good to see more, especially in head gardener roles and higher up the horticultural ladder in general. Yeo Valley’s head gardener is a woman and our gardening team is women heavy now that we have just hired a new female gardener. We now outnumber the men 3 to 1! 

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

I see IWD as a day to admire the brilliant women in my life and to celebrate the achievements of women around the world. 

Why do you think we should celebrate International Women’s Day?

Women have had to struggle to assert their right to equality with men in society and that struggle is still going on to greater and lesser degrees around the world. To be able to vote, get an education, choose what field I work in, and decide if I want to marry and have children is something I take for granted, but I am very aware that I am lucky. So IWD is a reminder to keep pushing for those rights for all women and to champion women and their ideas.  

Has there been a particular female role model that has inspired you?

Pretty much all the women in my life but especially my mother. She raised me single handedly with the most extraordinary kindness, love and compassion and instilled in me the idea that I should have my own career and be able to support my own independence.  An idea that I hope I have passed on to my daughter. 

Naomi, Digital Marketing Student Placement

Why do you think we should celebrate International Women’s Day?

For the talented and inspiring young women who are still deciding where their future leads. We need these young women to believe that they can achieve their dreams and that their gender should not be something that prevents them from doing so.

What does breaking the bias mean to you?

To me it’s all about breaking the negative stereotypes that hold women back in life and work.

Has there been a particular female role model that has inspired you?

During my first year at university, I read the book Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg, which is all about women in work. It made me realise that women can hold themselves back by believing they’re not suited for particular jobs or sectors.

So far, I’ve worked in two industries, tech and agriculture – both of which are predominantly ‘male industries’. Through this I’ve met some amazing people and learnt so much. Sheryl inspired me to not limit myself and instead pursue what I enjoy.

What advice do you have for other women in your field?

Find your community. Find other women who can support and nurture you as you progress through your career. And most importantly – never stop learning.

Ellie Higginson, Somerset Wildlife Trust

Ellie is working with our farm and conservation team on how we can improve our bio-abundance across the 2,000 acres we farm, following a comprehensive biodiversity study we undertook in 2021.

What advice do you have for other women in your field?

I work across the fields of ecology and farming. I find that women are well represented at all levels in ecology but less so in farming. This is changing; women in agriculture are far more seen now and their contribution to the sector is better recognised. When I was younger, I was told that if I wanted to farm, I would have to marry a farmer. That stereotype and dismissive perception of who could and couldn’t farm put me off applying to agricultural college but I found my own way of working on the land through ecology.  

It’s difficult when you are just starting out, but my advice would be to set your own goals, stick to your boundaries and believe that you are the best person for the job.  

What makes you proud to be a woman?

I am proud of how I have dealt with the challenges that being a woman has involved and draw a lot of strength from knowing what I am capable of. 

How are you breaking the bias?

It’s become easier as I have got older and gained in confidence, but I am much better at challenging bias in others. I have also become more self-aware and try and challenge my own biases too – we all have them! 

Has there been a particular female role model that has inspired you?

I have to say that Dolly Parton is a huge role model of mine because she embraces all the things that women have traditionally been judged for and is not afraid of being her own type of woman. Often as a woman, you feel you have to hide your femininity to gain respect or just to be listened to in the first place. This inhibition can really dent your confidence and denies you the full richness and creative expression of being a woman. As Dolly says “Find out who you are and do it on purpose”.