International Women’s Day 2026 – Give to Gain

This year’s International Women’s Day’s theme is close to our hearts. The Give to Gain

campaign highlights the transition from awareness of women’s issues to direct tangible

support. Royal Mile Silver has been a women-led business since its inception in 1997.

It wasn’t always easy being a sole female trader in the rough and tumble markets of ye

Olde Edinburgh, but Chandra Mather, our founder, persevered and built our business from the ground up,

always having a fantastic eye for the most unique statement earrings and exquisitely

hand-crafted chunky rings.

We believe our success has come from having that woman’s touch – an understanding

of our customers’ desires, a respect for the beautiful sentimentality of jewellery and a

commitment to ethical trading directly with makers for a fair and sustainable price.

What is International Women’s Day?

International Women’s Day, held each year on the 8th of March, is a time to celebrate

the social, cultural and economic achievements of women, while still acknowledging the

need for action towards gender equality and freedom.

The first official International Women’s Day was recognised in 1975 by the United

Nations, though the movement had started some 66 years earlier in 1909 in New York.

Women workers were weary of being paid less than their male counterparts. The

movement quickly spread to Europe and snowballed with the events of the first and

second World Wars, ultimately leading to women’s suffrage and the acceptance of

women’s unwavering work ethic and equal capabilities.

Although women have been campaigning for equality for over a hundred years, the pay

gap in Scotland still exists, and globally girls face myriad barriers in accessing

education. We know though, that it hasn’t always been this way. In ancient cultures,

from the Celts to the Māori, women were valued as the creators of life, embraced as the

cornerstones of society and revered as mothers and healers.

What did the ancient Celts believe about Womanhood?

Our Celtic ancestors believed there are three stages of Womanhood – Maiden, Mother

and Crone. Symbolised by the Triskele or Triple Spiral, every stage of womanhood is

as equally important as the next, and serves to remind us of the three stages of the

death/life cycle: birth, death, rebirth. The birth of new projects, the death of beliefs that

hold us back, which many women experience during menopause, and the rebirth of life

anew – like a phoenix rising from the ashes.The Celts believed in balance to maintain a harmonious flow through the cycles of life.

We aim to get there again one day, albeit in a new modern era, and in the meantime

invite you to celebrate yourself and the glorious women in your life. Now is the time to

adorn yourself with elegant statement earrings, or gift a loved one a striking chunky ring

made from the finest Karen Hill Tribe silver, we deserve to be spoiled!

Treat a woman like the Queen that she is, and the whole world reaps the rewards.