An inspiring evening celebrating women who’ve dared to dream, reinvent & rise - with stories, songs, laughter and plenty of empowerment

WOMEN WHO RISE

Hithe & Seek, The Westin London City (https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/lonwi-the-westin-london-city/overview/?scid=f2ae0541-1279-4f24-b197-a979c79310b0)

What happens when a woman is told NO… and decides not to listen?

Women Who Rise is an intimate evening celebrating women, ambition, resilience, reinvention and the power of refusing to be defined by other people's expectations.

Hosted by broadcaster, interviewer and podcaster Michelle Ford, the evening brings together three extraordinary women who have each taken very different paths to success - but who share one thing:

They refused to let other people's doubts define what they could achieve.

Michelle, host of Michelle Ford Interviews and a passionate champion of women in midlife, will sit down individually with each guest for honest, in-depth conversations about their journeys - including the setbacks, rejection, unexpected turns and moments when they were told "no".

And this isn't simply an evening of conversation. We will also be supporting The DASH Charity (https://thedashcharity.org.uk/about-us/)and its vital work helping local individuals and families find safety and a positive future beyond domestic abuse.

Guests will hear Alexis Strum and Starling perform live, while bestselling author B.A. Paris will read from her latest psychological thriller. There will be an opportunity for audience Q&A, followed by the chance to meet the women themselves and continue the conversation over a drink.

🎤 STARLING - Singer-songwriter

Discovered by Massive Attack and once told she "couldn't sing", Starling ignored the doubters and forged her own path.

Her distinctive voice and honest, fearless lyrics have struck a chord with women everywhere. Fans include Phoebe Waller Bridge, Vivienne Westwood (RIP) and Dame Kelly Holmes. Starling writes songs her fans call'pop therapy'. Hear it to feel it, the music changes you

.

🎤 ALEXIS STRUM - Singer-songwriter

After being effectively cancelled 23 years ago following a misunderstanding with Lorraine Kelly’s production team, Alexis is back doing what she does best - back on stage making incredible music. A regular contributor on BBC Woman’s Hour, her song 'Swim' was recently nominated for Best Songwriter at the Hollywood Independent Music Awards and performed live on BBC’s ‘Sunday Morning Live’. Alexis also wrote songs for Kylie Minogue and Rachel Stevens.

📚 B.A. PARIS - Global bestselling author

The author of Behind Closed Doors, which has sold more than 6 million copies, reached No.1 on both the New York Times and Sunday Times bestseller lists and has been translated into more than 40 languages.

Her latest psychological thriller is When I Kill You - and there's even more to come, with the long-awaited sequel to Behind Closed Doors arriving in 2027.

Three women. Three very different stories. One shared message:

Don't let someone else's NO become your limit.

Michelle Ford has spent more than 20 years working in broadcasting, interviewing and voiceover, and is known for creating warm, candid conversations with women who have interesting stories to tell. Through her radio work, podcast, events and interviews, she is particularly passionate about championing women in midlife and creating spaces for women to connect, share experiences and inspire one another.

This evening brings that ethos to life.

🥂 Tickets: £45, including a welcome drink.

A portion of ticket sales will support The Dash Charity (https://thedashcharity.org.uk/about-us/), which has spent more than 45 years helping people experiencing domestic abuse across East Berkshire and South Buckinghamshire feel safer, stronger and able to build a positive future.

🎙️ The entire evening will also be recorded and released as a special episode of Michelle Ford Interviews (https://open.spotify.com/show/1gw3EEg0HPYt1TLiKD9NMV?si=d73fa0acd3324523) and be featured on Brooklands Radio (https://www.brooklandsradio.co.uk).

Very limited tickets are available.

📅 Thursday 22 October

⏰ 6.30–9.30pm

📍 Hithe & Seek, The Westin London City

🌊 Riverside views of Shakespeare's Globe

🥂 Welcome drink included

🎤 Live interviews with Alexis Strum, B.A. Paris & Starling

🎶 Live music & reading

💬 Audience Q&A

🤝 Meet the guests afterwards

🎙️ Recorded for Michelle Ford Interviews and Brooklands Radio

❤️ Supporting a women's charity

Come for the stories. Stay for the music. Leave inspired.

Women Who Rise.

Because sometimes the most powerful thing a woman can do is hear “no" - and keep going anyway.

Description supplied by the event organiser.