To mark International Women’s Day 2026 we had an idea. It was an ambitious one. We wanted to ask our favourite trailblazing women – women not known for having a lot of spare time – to share the lesson they wish they’d been taught as girls, and that they’d like to teach in schools today. We then wanted them to turn that lesson into a four-minute speech and deliver it on video so we could show it in schools around the UK.

It was a big ask. But it’s testament to how much our trailblazers believed in our Lessons That Matter project that they threw themselves into it, giving up their time to write moving, thoughtful speeches that they really believe in.

“I can’t tell you how much this means,” says one of our cover stars, Bridgerton actor Claudia Jessie. “I was a poor kid who really struggled. I would have loved to hear someone say: I came from pretty much nothing and smashed it.”

Claudia Jessie is best known for playing Eloise, the fiercely independent sister of the titular family in smash-hit Netflix show Bridgerton, becoming one of the series’ breakout stars since taking up the role in 2020. She has also starred in shows such as Line Of Duty, Vanity Fair and Toxic Town. She has been open about her working-class roots and unconventional path into acting, and uses her platform to advocate for greater access to the arts.

I’m a member of a global, community-based Buddhist organisation, which centres around monthly discussion meetings that take place in people’s homes. I’m fortunate enough to have been raised in this environment. Growing up listening to people sharing their struggles and victories has had a huge impact on who I am today.

I have fond memories of people coming over to support my mum and me. I have never felt alone, no matter where I am, because of this community. We ensure to always meet up in person, visiting each other’s homes, studying together and sharing advice. Our goal as an organisation is to achieve peace in our communities and I was told a story recently about a Buddhist course that took place in Japan.

A group of practitioners were asking a Japanese senior leader what they could do to promote peace in their respective countries. His response was: “Treasure the person in front of you.” The group, thinking there might have been a mix-up in translation, asked the question again, placing greater emphasis on what they could practically do for peace back in Europe. His answer remained the same: “Treasure the person in front of you.” Convinced that something wasn’t being conveyed correctly, they asked again, “But what actions can we take to truly create peace in our communities?” And for a third and final time, he replied: “Treasure the person in front of you.”

In an age dominated by screen time, where we are overexposed to the many frightening things happening across the globe, this seemingly simple answer to a very heartfelt question reminded me that starting locally is something that is achievable for us all. Just treasuring the person in front of us.

Firstly, I must stress that I don’t mean interactions online, although please do keep those in good spirit! I mean the person physically in front of you – a friend, bus driver, teacher or otherwise. Our phones may make us feel that we are more connected than ever, but it can also be a source of great anxiety, overwhelm and even cause us to isolate ourselves. The route to change is through the community directly around you. The simplicity of the Japanese leader’s advice is something we can all manage: treasuring the person in front of us. Real-life connections change everything.

I understand this might not always feel possible, especially if someone’s behaviour upsets us. We may not always agree with people but what we can have is a respect for the dignity of their life. It does take a bit of hard work to look a little deeper at those we may not even like, but this is true empathy. We all walk around with so many things in our hearts and heads.

I grew up on a council estate, raised by a single mother who did everything she could for my brother and me with very little money. Friends who lived on our road would sometimes even buy us big food shops when things were particularly difficult. My mum would clean houses in exchange for me attending a dance or performing arts class. These acts of kindness and strength will stay with me forever and have made me want to support others in their times of need.

Many years ago, I heard that if you were to have a heart-to-heart dialogue with three people, with the intention that those three people would then go on to do the same with a further three people each and continue on in this manner, we could get around the world in two and a half weeks. Up against the speed of our phones, social media and technology, this might not feel that remarkable.

But to me, nothing can compare to slowing down and chatting with my friend Faye over a coffee at our local park, or walking through my hometown with my best friend Leila, having a catch-up and parting ways with a hug. I don’t want to completely dismiss the value in a text, voicenote or phone call, but in a world that feels faster than any of us can manage, slowing down with friends and coming back into the moment gives me perspective and makes everything feel that little less scary.

I also know that endeavouring to be good to those around me has had a profound and positive impact on my own life. I strive to remind myself that each life is precious and respect-worthy and that we all could mean the world to each other.

And sometimes we have to start from within. The person who needs to be treasured the most in this moment might be you! We are encouraged on planes to first put on our own mask before helping others to do the same. This analogy is a great reminder that it isn’t selfish to look after ourselves; in fact, it is the best grounds on which to support those around us.

We can be our own worst critic, constantly comparing ourselves to others and putting immense pressure on ourselves. I have experienced this many times but I was told by a friend that you can’t build a house by starting in the attic. You may not know what you want your life or future to look like just yet, and might not even feel capable right now, but your individuality is a singular treasure that only you possess.

Even when I was kindly asked to deliver this talk to you, I doubted I was good enough. I had to battle through my inner monologue telling me that I would have nothing to share and that I’m not worthy. But I reminded myself to come back into the moment and do what I can right now: treasure the people in front of me.