6th November 2023
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March 8th marks International Women’s Day, but let’s face it every day is a day to celebrate women! Being a woman is no easy feat, and in the media industry it’s no exception. As a woman of colour I can identify with the struggles of breaking into the glass ceiling that is media industry- but luckily for me I have had the pleasure of looking up to these five incredible women on the way!
Tina Daheley is a journalist, newsreader, and presenter. She is an alum of Brunel University having studied computer science, and later going on to study a master’s degree at the University of Leeds.
She is probably best known for being the “voice of the news” during Nick Grimshaw’s tenure as presenter of BBC Radio 1’s Breakfast show. However, prior to this she has had a number of accolades to her name. Having joined the BBC in 2007, Daheley is responsible for presenting live coverage of women’s football as well as presenting 60 Seconds on BBC Three. Alongside this, Daheley has also been a presenter on BBC Breakfast, as well as one of the main hosts of Crimewatch.
As of 2018, Daheley has frequented our screens a lot more, having presented the BBC’s flagship news programs; News at Six and News at Ten respectively.
Currently, she is responsible for the news bulletins on The Radio 2 Breakfast Show.
Mindy Kaling is an writer, producer, director, actress and comedian. She is an alumni of the Ivy League Dartmouth College (wow!) studying classics and playwriting.
Her big break came in 2005 when she starred as Kelly Kapoor on the US incarnation of The Office, in which she also co-wrote, produced and directed episodes of the series. Following this Kaling created, produced and starred in the Fox series; The Mindy Project, in which she portrayed Dr Mindy Lahiri, a successful OB/GYN living in New York. Alongside this she also voiced the character Disgust in the Pixar movie Inside Out, as well as starring in the films; A Wrinkle in Time and Ocean’s 8, alongside creating, producing and starring in another comedy series; Champions.
In 2020, Kaling created, produced, directed and wrote the critically acclaimed Netflix Original Series; Never Have I Ever. The series received critical acclaim for its portrayal of an American-Indian teenager coming to terms with the death of her father.
Additionally, Kaling is also a New York Times Bestselling Author, having penned two memoirs; Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) and Why Not Me? In 2011 and 2015 respectively.
Clara Amfo is a radio and television presenter as well as a voice over artist. She is an alum of St Mary’s University having studied media arts with professional and creative writing.
Amfo began her career as a marketing intern at KISS FM, and having worked her way up began hosting at several British premiere’s. In 2013 she joined BBC Radio 1 Xtra as a weekend breakfast host. In 2013 she also joined MTV as host of the Official UK Top 40.
In 2015 she joined BBC Radio 1 as host of The Official Chart Show and in 2015 she took over from Fearne Cotton, presenting the mid-morning slot as well as BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge. Amfo has also co-presented Top of the Popsas well as presenting backstage at the BRIT Awards.
Amfo was widely praised for her passionate, empowering speech on her radio show in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death, bringing much needed airtime to the Black Lives Matter Movement.
Shonda Rhimes is a writer, producer, screenwriter and author. She is an alum of the Ivy League Dartmouth College majoring in English and Film studies. She later went on to attend the University of Southern California to study screenwriting, having ranked the highest in her class she was later awarded the Gary Rosenberg Writing Fellowship.
Rhimes is responsible for writing the script for the second Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement.
Rhimes is probably most notable for creating the acclaimed medical series Grey’s Anatomy (2005-present), following this she has also created the critically acclaimed series; Scandal and How To Get Away with Murder, which are all apart of her extensive portfolio in her production company Shondaland.
In 2017 it was announced that Netflix had partnered with Rhimes on a multi-year development deal in which all of her future productions would be marketed as Netflix Original Series. The first to debut was the 2020 series Bridgerton.
Afua Hirsch is a former barrister, broadcaster and writer. She is an alum of St Peter’s College, Oxford where she studied philosophy, politics and economics.
Hirsch trained at Doughty Street Chambers, and began her legal career working in defence, international and public law.
She began to write for The Guardian and from 2014-2017 she was the Social Affairs and Education Correspondent at Sky News.
In 2018 her debut book Brit(ish): On Race, Identity and Belonging was published. The book is part memoir, and touches on several thematic issues such as black history, culture and politics in Britain as well as Hirsch’s own experiences growing up as a mixed race women in Britain.
Here at LGSM we love to celebrate women and all of their amazing achievements! Check out our Nine Female Owned Businesses to Support! Alongside this, have a read on our amazing article about the University of Liverpool students bringing awareness and fundraising for Refugee Women Connect!
