“This International Women’s Day, we stand together to honour the remarkable contributions of women around the world and reaffirm Marks & Clerk’s dedication to fostering an environment of inclusion and equality. This year, under the theme "Inspire Inclusion," we reflect on how best to empower women in every aspect of society, including the field of intellectual property.
At Marks & Clerk, we recognise that diversity is not just a buzzword; it is a cornerstone of innovation and progress. By embracing diverse perspectives, experiences, and talents, we enrich our collective capabilities and enhance our ability to deliver exceptional results for our clients.
On this International Women's Day, let us celebrate the achievements of women past, present, and future. Let us draw inspiration from their resilience, courage, and determination as we work together to build a more equitable world for all.” Robin Oxley, Chair of Marks & Clerk International
To celebrate International Women's Day this year, we have once again asked our colleagues around the world to tell us about women that inspire them. Some highlights can be found below:
Lara Sibley, Partner (London, UK)
"A woman who inspired me very early in life was my grandmother. Her father was a dockworker, however unusually for that period, she was able to continue her education, and went to university to study Biology, going on to be a Biology teacher. She firstly inspired me to continue to learn – in later life when I knew her, she was still studying, going for a qualification in Classics with the Open University. Patent attorneys have a technical background – my degree is in Physics – and qualifying involves learning a whole new skill set and passing legal exams. For me, this was definitely something that drew me into the profession, and I know she would have felt the same - and probably would have had hundreds of questions about patents for me! She also continues to inspire me to have confidence in myself. When faced with something that seems like a big challenge, I often think of how hard it must have been for her to go to University at that time, or to study a totally new subject in her retirement. She was always defying expectations, and I am very grateful for her example, which I know has had a big impact on my life."
Mandy Wang, Trainee Trade Mark Attorney (Beijing, China)
“International Women’s Day is a special occasion to celebrate the incredible women who have made a significant impact in our lives. I want to share the story of my 94-year-old grandmother, Xu Guilan - a remarkable woman who embodies the qualities of hard work, optimism, and positivity.
My grandmother grew up in a rural family and faced many hardships from a young age, including difficult economic conditions and the strict requirements for women in feudal society. However, she always approached life with optimism and resilience. Whether she was tending the family farmland or taking care of her children, she was incredibly hardworking without ever taking a moment’s rest. Her weathered and calloused hands bore the imprint of years of hard work.
My grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2009. It is a condition that affects her memory and cognitive abilities. At first, it was small things like misplacing her keys or forgetting what she wants to do next. But as time went on, her memory started to decline, and she would often forget important events even herself. However, there is one thing that she has managed to hold onto, and that is the names of her children. Every time we visit her, she greets us with a smile and tries to call us by our names. It is a heartwarming feeling to see that despite her struggles, she still remembers us, which also reminds us to appreciate the little things in life.
My grandmother’s strength and resilience are an inspiration to all family members. On this International Women’s Day, I celebrate her and all the remarkable women who continue to inspire us with their strength and willpower.”
Ellie Johnson, Trade Mark Administrator (London, UK)
“I wanted to use this opportunity to share my appreciation for my colleagues in the London Trade Marks support team. I feel very lucky to be in such a supportive and warm team with these amazing women! They make me feel valued and they actively care about how I am, which inspires me to try to be as caring with everyone I encounter at M&C. I think this kind of thoughtfulness really helps us to succeed professionally too! They are all superstars <3”
Our colleagues in Canada have been celebrating International Women's Day all week with an amazing array of lunches and get-togethers in Toronto and Ottawa: 
Alex Templet, Records & Systems Manager (Cambridge, UK)
“I look up to many influential women around and beyond yet one individual epitomised the essence of womanhood in particular, my partner. Her convictions and strength are inspiring. Independent yet caring, with a great sense of compassion, she longed recognized the power of connection with the natural world around us. Feminist at heart, she calls out the prejudices and injustices brought upon so many by societal expectations rooted in ancestral patriarchal practices. Yet her sense of fairness is reflected in the importance of equity she places in all interactions. Witnessing her journey to giving birth filled me with awe. Her adaptive transformation represents the promise and potential of a better future—a future where women rightfully claim what has always been muzzled and suppressed, their true place amongst leaders of our world.”
In Oxford (UK), the IWD celebrations were led by Office Managing Partner, Daniel Talbot-Ponsonby:
Susan Bradley (Principal) and Lili Saravia-Comley (Office Manager) also from our Oxford office wish to thank some of their wonderful colleagues:
“There are many women in our office who are inspiring in different ways, but this year we decided together to write something about three women in our office who work really hard to keep the TM Oxford practice strong, to support each other, and to encourage others in the Oxford office and around the firm.
Samantha Collins, Marcela Carvalho and Rose Woolford are all inspiring in so many ways, and they are all role models in their different careers.
Sam has been a Trade Mark Partner for a few years and she leads the Oxford Trade Mark practice with integrity and high standards. Sam is also a mum of a smart and inquisitive little boy, a wife, a colleague and a good friend. She always has time for others and always with a smile in her face. Sam takes every opportunity to support her colleagues with good advice and empathy. She is very highly thought of across the business and by her many clients. Sam also has the best dresses and always looks amazing!
Marcela qualified as a lawyer in her native country of Brazil, before moving to the UK. Coming from a legal background, Marcela first joined M&C Oxford as a patent administrator, before moving into Trade Marks as a paralegal. She then took a position as a trainee trade mark attorney, and became fully qualified a couple of years ago. Marcela is dedicated and hard-working, writes wonderful Passles and is involved in many BD activities. She is also kind, compassionate and caring, and we are very lucky to have her in our team and as a friend. She is incredibly talented and creative, and enjoys travelling and playing a few instruments.
Rose has been a paralegal at M&C for nearly 17 years, and has been a team leader for a few years now. Rose’s efficiency, and proactive and practical approach, is visible in everything she does. She leads a busy and focused team, and is a highly respected member of the national TM group. Despite being the only member of the TM support team in Oxford, Rose has built strong work relationships with absolutely everyone in the office. She is always there to listen and to support, even though she is always super busy! Rose is also the mum of a bright and adorable little girl (as well as being an office mum to many of us!).”
Our colleagues in Hong Kong have collective shared their inspiration:
“Our inspiration is Marie Curie. She was quiet, dignified and unassuming. Her discoveries of radium and polobium were important. She used her understanding of radioactivity to promote the use of X-rays and developed radiological cars to allow surgeons on the battlefield to X-ray wounded soldiers and operate on them. Marie Curie was constantly ill from radiation sickness and her death from aplatic anemia in 1934 was likely caused by radiation exposure. Marie Curie once said “I was taught that the way of progress was neither swift nor easy.” 
Fiona Jeffrey, Senior Associate (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
“These are some of the women that inspire me every day. Coming from diverse socio -economic and cultural backgrounds, these ladies support me and each other not just at work but we also share in other aspects of our life, whether personal or family matters, at play and even during difficult times. They make me look forward to coming to work every day and I am honoured to call them my colleagues. I am honoured to call them my sisters.”
“Friendships between women, as any woman will tell you, are built of a thousand small kindnesses... swapped back and forth and over again,” – Michelle Obama
“These are the awesome patent paralegals that assist us every day in the Malaysia office and I cannot give them enough credit for all the work they have put in (and more!).”
Elina Maszura Isa Abdillah, Associate (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
“These women are my close friends from way back in school – from left Edna, (me), Estia, Fiona and Belinda. These remarkable women and their diverse backgrounds, stories, and adventures are what keep me inspired all the time. They're like a constant reminder that anything can happen!”
Emily Gao, Associate (Beijing, China)
“My inspiration is Guimei Zhang, educator.
Guimei Zhang is a Chinese educator fighting for girls’ education in a remote and mountainous region in Yunnan province. After seeing many girls drop out of school due to poverty, Zhang firmly believes that the key to change the fate of young girls in this region is through education. This belief led her to establish the first free high school for female students in China.
However, the journey to create this school was fraught with challenges. Zhang raised the start-up funds for the school by soliciting donations on the streets from 2002 to 2007. Her efforts gained attention when a reporter covered her story in 2007, resulting in donations from across the country.
Zhang’s remarkable contributions have had a profound impact on the lives of numerous girls. To date, the school has changed the fate of over 2,000 girls from underprivileged backgrounds who may have otherwise taken on low-paying jobs or married at a young age.
Inspired by Zhang, many of the school's former students have chosen to work in remote locations with challenging conditions to help those in need, just like Zhang did. She has also inspired me to volunteer for a public welfare organization that helps children and the elderly in remote regions of southwest China.”
And finally a few favourite words from words from Huihua Li (Trainee Patent Attorney in Hong Kong):
“It’s going to be a beautiful day.
Walk in your truth.
Spread your light.
Speak with love.
Work with passion.
Act in faith.
Express your gratitude.
And be a witness to your own magic.”