On Thursday 7 March as part of a celebration of International Women’s Day, I got to hear my voice played in Paternoster Square. It was part of the Music in Offices, City of Women project.

A breakfast to celebrate International Women’s Day

Watch more on the Music In Offices International Women’s Day March

Women gathered in as a choir in Leadenhall Market

The day began early with a trip into central London for a breakfast hosted at the Guildhall to celebrate women in the City of London. The Guildhall is old library is such a stunning venue full of huge amounts of art including paintings of the Queen and the now King. The panel of speakers were so inspiring sharing their stories, experiences and passion for the importance of getting more women's voices out in our city.

Next up I wandered around the city for a bit and took my time to look up at the mix of the old and the new. As someone who loves buildings, it amazes me that there’s always a new alley or viewpoint to see.

The City of Women Project

Then onto Leadenhall market to be interviewed alongside phenomenal women talking about our experiences of being a woman in the City for ITV London evening news.

City of Women is a project and performance dedicated to amplifying the voices of women past and present from the City of London. Originally the entirety of London, and later comprising half of it, until 200 years ago, The City encapsulates a multitude of women with diverse experiences.

In 2018, the project made its debut in Leadenhall Market, commissioned by the Corporation of London, to commemorate the centenary of women's right to vote. The market, historically a bustling food hub, was chosen as the venue due to its role as a space where women actively engaged in buying and selling. The performance highlighted the contributions of women, including meat porters who did heavy lifting until the 1840s. Notable figures, ranging from a young watercress vendor proud of her earnings to the accomplished Hester Pinney, were featured.

Women taking part in the City of Women Project

Fast forward to 2024, 'City of Women' expands its scope by incorporating the voices of current inspiring women working in the City, championing their achievements and sharing the challenges they have faced as women in the workplace. Words from conversations with Veronica Horwell and Tessa Marchington, Director of Music in Offices, who has brought these women together, were performed on Thursday 07 March, 2024.

The final part of the event took place in Paternoster Square where we sang and they also played a specially commissioned piece that showcased a range of voices of women from the city past and present which included mine, Professor Sadie Morgan OBE, Tangy C Morgan MSc, CII and many others.

The event and ideas was dreamed by Tessa Marchington FRSA (she/her) from Music In Offices