Annabel’s and The Caring Family Foundation unite influential women to accelerate gender equality at an inspiring IWD event.
In the elegant surroundings of The Garden at Annabel’s, one of London’s most prestigious private members’ clubs, an extraordinary convergence of female talent, intellect, and compassion marked this year’s International Women’s Day celebration.
The annual breakfast event, hosted jointly by Annabel’s and The Caring Family Foundation on 7th March 2025, embodied this year’s global theme,’Accelerate Action’,with an impressive array of speakers whose life journeys exemplify the breaking of barriers and the forging of new paths for women.
The exclusive gathering brought together notable guests including actresses Meg Bellamy and Lucy Boynton, alongside Carmen Mundt, creating an atmosphere of sophisticated solidarity as attendees united in celebration of women’s achievements and the ongoing pursuit of gender equality.
A Meeting of Extraordinary Minds
The heart of the event featured a compelling panel discussion moderated by Emma Dabiri FRSL, the acclaimed Irish-Nigerian broadcaster, historian, and bestselling author known for challenging societal norms through her work on gender, race, and identity. Her Channel 4 documentary ‘Hair Power: Me and My Afro’ not only sparked a national conversation but earned a Cannes Lions silver award for its cultural impact.
Dabiri guided a conversation with three remarkable women whose diverse backgrounds and accomplishments offered unique perspectives on female empowerment and advancement.
Victoria Prew, founder of HURR, the UK’s leading fashion rental marketplace, shared insights from her journey as one of the few female founders to secure substantial venture capital funding,over $10 million in an environment where less than 2% of such funding goes to women.
Her business acumen has earned her recognition from Forbes 30 Under 30 and a shortlisting for Veuve Clicquot’s Bold Woman Awards. Beyond her own success, Prew actively supports the next generation of female entrepreneurs as an angel investor, epitomizing the cycle of women empowering women.
Dr. Sabrina Cohen-Hatton brought a particularly poignant perspective to the panel. Her journey from teenage homelessness to becoming one of the world’s most senior female fire officers stands as testament to remarkable resilience and determination.
Leading life-or-death responses to major incidents,including the London Bridge and Finsbury Park terror attacks and the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower fire,Dr. Cohen-Hatton has simultaneously pursued academic excellence, earning a PhD in Behavioural Neuroscience and using her groundbreaking research to transform national policy.
Her commitment to social change extends beyond her professional accomplishments. As a key figure in Homewards, an initiative led by HRH The Prince of Wales aimed at tackling homelessness across the UK, and as an ambassador for The Big Issue (which named her a Top 100 Changemaker), she continues to advocate for women and social mobility.
Her bestselling books, including ‘Heat of the Moment’ and ‘The Gender Bias: The Barriers That Hold Women Back, and How to Break Them’, further spread her message of empowerment. In 2024, her contributions to the fire and rescue service were recognised with the King’s Fire Service Medal.
Completing the illustrious panel was Phoebe Schecter, who made history as one of the first female coaches in the NFL when she joined the Buffalo Bills. Her path to this groundbreaking role included internships with Stanford University, Bryant University, and the University of La Verne football teams. Despite facing direct discrimination,once being told by a male coach that she did not deserve her position,Schecter persevered and has since captained Great Britain’s women’s American football team for six years.
Her advocacy extends beyond her own accomplishments as she drives change as Women’s Development Officer for the British American Football Coaches Association (BAFCA) and Chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee of the British American Football Association (BAFA).
Schecter actively supports women in sports through her work with The Female Coaching Network and as a global ambassador for NFL Flag, a non-contact form of the sport. She continues to break new ground as the UK’s foremost female pundit on the NFL as part of the Sky Sports presentation team, including coverage of the Super Bowl.
A Foundation Built on Compassion
The event highlighted not only individual achievements but also the significant impact of collective action through The Caring Family Foundation, founded in 2019 by Richard and Patricia Caring, who also serve as Co-Executive Chairs of Annabel’s and The Birley Clubs.
Patricia Caring addressed attendees, emphasizing the Foundation’s core mission: “At The Caring Family Foundation, our mission is to empower women and provide opportunities for safety, recovery and transformation. I am incredibly proud that, to date, we have granted over £1.3 million to domestic abuse organisations in the UK and Brazil- supporting women with over 30,000 domestic abuse services so far. But there is so much more to do. This year’s International Women’s Day theme, Accelerate Action, is a reminder that the time to act is now.”
She continued, highlighting the significance of the annual gathering: “Our annual International Women’s Day event at Annabel’s strives to bring women together to share experiences, inspire one another, and explore how we can do even more to drive meaningful change. Thank you to our amazing panel for sharing their experiences and to everyone that has supported The Caring Family Foundation on our journey so far.”
The Foundation’s work focuses on delivering transformational, sustainable, and systematic change to tackle poverty and domestic abuse in the UK and Brazil, while also empowering Indigenous communities in the Amazon to thrive and supporting their conservation efforts. Women and children remain at the heart of all the charity’s initiatives, reflecting the Caring family’s vision of a world free from hunger, harm, and hurt.
Artistry and Elegance
The intellectual stimulation of the panel discussion was complemented by an artistic finale as British jazz and soul artist Nectar Woode delivered a stirring performance featuring her hits “Safe House,” “How It’s Gotta Be,” and “Good Vibrations.” The musical interlude added a dimension of cultural celebration to an event already rich with inspiration and purpose.
In keeping with the theme of female empowerment, attendees enjoyed non-alcoholic beverages from French Bloom, a female-founded brand, further emphasizing the event’s commitment to supporting women-led enterprises.
The Legacy of Emma Dabiri
As moderator of the panel, Emma Dabiri brought her considerable intellectual and cultural influence to the proceedings. Her bestselling books, ‘What White People Can Do Next’ and ‘Don’t Touch My Hair’, have not only sparked conversation but influenced tangible policy change, including regulations in schools and the British Army.
Her most recent work, ‘Disobedient Bodies: Reclaim Your Unruly Beauty’, confronts contemporary beauty standards and explores deeper aspects of female empowerment, calling on women to reconsider established definitions of beauty and strength. This theme resonated particularly well within the context of an event celebrating the diverse ways women manifest power and influence.
The Power of Private Enterprise for Public Good
The International Women’s Day celebration exemplified how Richard and Patricia Caring have transformed their hospitality ventures into vehicles for social change. Annabel’s and The Birley Clubs have evolved beyond their identity as exclusive private members clubs to become gathering places for a community united by a shared commitment to social responsibility and positive impact.
This transformation reflects a growing trend among luxury enterprises to align their brands with meaningful causes, recognizing that true sophistication encompasses not only aesthetic refinement but also moral purpose and social awareness.
A Call to Continued Action
The event concluded with an invitation for ongoing engagement with The Caring Family Foundation, emphasizing that 100% of donations go directly to projects transforming the lives of women and children. This transparency in charitable giving underscores the Foundation’s commitment to efficient, impactful philanthropy.
As attendees departed the elegant setting of The Garden, they carried with them not only memories of a sophisticated social gathering but also renewed inspiration to contribute to the acceleration of gender equality and the empowerment of women and children worldwide.
In a world where change often seems incremental, events like the International Women’s Day Breakfast at Annabel’s serve as catalysts, bringing together individuals with the influence, resources, and determination to transform aspiration into action.
The 2025 celebration, with its focus on “Accelerate Action,” provided not just a moment of recognition but a platform for continued progress,a testament to the power of community, compassion, and commitment in the ongoing journey toward equality.
For more information about The Caring Family Foundation and opportunities to support their work, visit www.thecaringfamilyfoundation.org or follow @thecaringfamilyfoundation on social media.
