On Thursday 17th of October, we were thrilled to host a remarkable evening with the one and only Emma Dabiri, who joined us in conversation with Anna Rafferty, Chair of the Women's Prize Trust, at The Banshee of Saville Row. It was a night to remember, filled with thought-provoking discussion, heartfelt insights, and an inspiring exchange of ideas on everything from writing and activism to the experience of growing up in Ireland.

Emma's incredible breadth of work spans across being an author, journalist, broadcaster, academic, and activist. The conversation touched on her unique perspective on the 'Irish activist woman' tradition, exploring the legacy of powerful women like Gráinne Ní Mháille, Maude Gonne, and Bernadette Devlin, and asking how Emma’s work continues that legacy today. She also reflected on Ireland’s evolving global reputation, discussing the country’s progressive strides and her own personal experiences.

A key topic of the evening was the disparity in publishing for women, especially in non-fiction. Emma shared her thoughts on the value gap in publishing and the crucial need for initiatives like the Women’s Prize Trust, which aims to disrupt the system and shine a spotlight on female thought leadership. We also dove into the persistent issue of gender imbalance in readership, as data shows that while women read books by both male and female authors equally, men overwhelmingly read books by men. Emma had some powerful ideas on how we can work to shift this mindset and why it’s so important.

Of course, we couldn't let Emma leave without asking for some reading recommendations, and she didn't disappoint! Her top tip was The Bee Sting by Paul Murray (Irish author).

A huge thank you to Anna Rafferty for hosting the evening and to all who attended and helped make it such a success! Your presence and engagement were what truly brought the night to life. We can’t wait to see you all again at our next event in November.

If you missed the evening, you can still support the incredible work of the Women’s Prize Trust, whose charitable mission strives for gender equity through books. Find out how you can become a patron or donate to their cause here: Patron Family here or donate here.

We also have our WIN End of Year Party on Thursday, 21st of November at The Rising Sun, Carter Lane, London. This event is a perfect opportunity for you to stay connected and be part of our vibrant community. This is a free event firstly to thank our members for their support throughout the year and importantly to celebrate 2024. Book your complimentary ticket here. Please bring a friend or colleague and we'd be delighted to tell you more about WIN.