Why the Singer-Songwriter Is Lending Her Voice to Women Who Have None Simply a Force of Nature.’

STORIES MARCH LENNOX’S LIST OF WOMEN MAKING AN IMPACT Eve Ensler ‘A playwright, performer, feminist and activist best Annie Lennox known for her impactful play, The Vagina Monologues.’ Jude Kelly ‘Women of the World Festival founder and artistic director of the Gets Vocal Southbank Centre – Jude is quite Why the singer-songwriter is lending her voice to women who have none simply a force of nature.’ Molly Melching ‘Founder of the NGO Tostan WORDS BY FRANKIE MATHIESON – a true champion whose mission ILLUSTRATION BY ESRA RØISE is to bring about sustainable development and positive social transformation.’ nnie Lennox is reflecting on the the prestigious Ivor Novello BASCA lives – in particular, adolescent girls – Circle has been involved with International Dame Anita Roddick number of times she’s visited Fellowship – the highest honour the British continue to be ravaged by Aids to this Women’s Day and is a chance to ‘reflect on ‘Although Anita died in 2007, Africa as an HIV/Aids activist Academy of Songwriters, Composers and day,’ she says. She went on to found the the progress made and call for change’. her influence as an activist and Aand advocate. ‘It became painfully obvious Authors can bestow. Considered one of the SING campaign in 2007 to help prevent environmental campaigner still during these trips that millions of women most successful female British artists of all the spread of HIV in South Africa and a ‘You can show up at marches, beat the affects me to this day.’ and girls continue to live in the Dark time, Lennox has sold more than 80 million year later founded The Circle. ‘I started to proverbial drum, and give talks and Ages with regards to a lack of rights and records worldwide since Sweet Dreams think of ways to connect with other women interviews for years, but change can often opportunities,’ she says. Born in Scotland, (Are Made of This) climbed the charts in who might want to become more aware seem very far from even being a possibility,’ Lennox is aware of the privileges Western 1983 and gave her and Dave Stewart their and get involved,’ she explains. ‘That’s how says Lennox, who describes the pace of women have inherited from the effort first number one hit as the Eurythmics. the genesis of The Circle began.’ developments for gender parity as ‘glacially Zainab Salbi and sacrifice of the Suffragette movement. slow’. She believes that in order to fully ‘Author, women’s rights activist, ‘We can be complacent about these rights There is, of course, more to Lennox than Uniting women from different backgrounds, bring about societal transformation, the and founder of Women for and take them for granted because we’ve her music. Lending her powerful voice The Circle connects its members with feminist movement needs to be ‘holistic, Women International – a fearlessly never known it any other way.’ to those who don’t have one, her tireless women and girls in developing countries welcoming and inclusive of men and boys’. dedicated feminist.’ campaigning has been recognised with who are in need of support. They work Lennox’s voice is strong but she needs other Outspoken, determined and inspiring, many honours, including a Red Cross together to promote and protect female people to engage and help spread the word. Lennox is anything but complacent, Humanitarian Award, Woman of Peace rights, and in less than a decade have Despite the fact that the term feminist despite an impressive list of achievements. Award, the Livingstone Medal and an raised more than £1.8m to help more than has ‘more often than not been a cause Malala Yousafzai With eight BRIT Awards on her OBE in 2011. ‘Over a decade ago, I became 120,000 women and girls around the world. for confusion, division and provocation’, ‘I don’t think I need to describe mantle, the singer-songwriter has won passionately engaged with how HIV and This month, members of The Circle will be Lennox is hopeful the ‘zeitgeist is moving why I have such admiration for this Best British Female Artist more than Aids were affecting women and children,’ attending International Women’s Day to towards an eventual tipping point’. exceptional young woman.’ any other musician. She also holds four says Lennox. She was moved to ‘try to ‘meet other women, make new connections, Grammys, a Golden Globe, an Academy do something’ after working with Nelson talk about our work and be inspired’, Lennox The Circle: In Conversation with Annie Award and was the first woman to receive Mandela’s 46664 Foundation. ‘Too many tells us. This will be the third year The Lennox is at Little House, March 12. 4 5.

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