Happy international women’s day, ladies (and gents).

From an all female cast in tonight’s Emmerdale, to Putin’s photo call with female police officers, today the world is celebrating the progress, triumph and achievement of women.

And nowhere more so than in Sheffield…

Last night MK NCG was the proud sponsor of the Sheffield Star’s inaugural Women of Sheffield awards. What a night. A room full of women that have driven their cause, belief and issues forward, empowering others and making a difference. From the first female engineers within their field, to the mother of a missing toddler who showed the rest of us what courage and humility really means, it was an emotional and intoxicating evening (and that was before the Sheffield gins, which were by the way, rather good…).

As a mother, and MD to an all female team (boys welcome too…) I am only too aware of the importance in recognising, supporting and nurturing the female spirit. We do still operate in a patriarchal world in places – but confidence and attitude is everything.

And if a reminder was ever needed of the journey us girls have made, and are making, last night’s award ceremony was it. As Nancy Fielder, the (female) editor of the Star commented, ‘it is unlikely you will ever be in a room of more powerful women than you are tonight’, from those who have overcome grief; set up charities; worked tirelessly with children and the sick; to medical experts at the cutting edge of world-leading science, Sheffield ladies it was a night to remember, and I salute you.

More can be read about the awards in today’s paper – so grab yourself a copy. It’s worth a read. And gals and lads alike – let’s celebrate and hold up our women of steel – we have an awful lot to be proud of.

Girl power.