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This year at ClassBento, we celebrated International Women’s Day the only way we know how – gathering women together to create. In 2026, we’re celebrating the women who define our platform – creative women owned businesses and passionate teachers who consistently challenge barriers and prioritise creating safe, creative spaces for other women.
Inspired by this year’s theme from UN Women – Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls – the night became a chance to reflect on what those words really mean in our day-to-day working lives. Women came together to connect and share success stories. We listened to inspiring speeches from Tracey Torley from Cracking Good Food and Tash Bernard from Groundwork.
Together, we delved into a sensory journey into natural perfumery with Cedar Lifestyle’s lovely natural perfume making class. As essential oils were passed around and gorgeous scents filled the air, conversations flowed as freely as the creativity. Blending notes to make the perfect perfume became an unexpected metaphor for how powerful it can be for women to unite, compliment each other and work together.
This message of support and lifting each other up was at the heart of the evening. Tracey Torley captured it beautifully when she shared:
“It's an amazing opportunity to reflect on the challenges and journeys that women from all different backgrounds have trodden and brought us to today where we can really celebrate, reflect and ultimately create a space for us to be more of ourselves now.”
Reflecting on rights and representation
International Women’s Day isn’t just about where we are now – it’s about acknowledging the path that brought us here, and recognising that those journeys look different for everyone.
That theme surfaced again as we spoke about industries where women are still underrepresented. Tash from Groundwork works directly within that space, creating opportunities in sectors traditionally dominated by men. As she explained:
“International Women's Day means creating spaces for women within sectors where they're underrepresented, so at Groundwork where I work, we make space to be able to progress women into male-dominated careers such as construction. We’re currently running a course that helps women learn DIY and construction-based skills – for the future, but also to use in their day-to-day lives.”
In a room filled with creatives, her perspective was a powerful reminder that justice isn’t simply theoretical – it’s also practical. It’s about making sure women have the tools, literally and figuratively – to achieve their dreams, both big and small.
Even within creative industries, challenges still persist. Nicola Steel, a passionate local glassblowing expert, spoke candidly to us about navigating a tough environment as a woman:
“It feels really important that women get equal chances in all areas of life – happy ones and tough ones. I work in an industry that's kind of tough being female but we get there – then when we collaborate, we work together and amazing things are achieved.”
The power of connection
That lovely spirit of collaboration defined the night. Between finding the perfect fragrance combos and sharing delicious food, women from different sectors found common ground. There were conversations about resilience, about community and about how having support networks often makes all the difference between surviving and thriving.
What stood out most wasn’t a single speech or statistic – it was the atmosphere and the sense of openness. It’s never been more important to remember that progress happens not just through policy, but through connection and community, which is something very close to our hearts at ClassBento.
Action through community
By the end of the workshop, everyone left with a unique fragrance — but also with something less tangible and more long lasting: meaningful new connections and the reassurance that no one is navigating their industry alone.
At ClassBento, our platform is built on the talent and determination of the women who run workshops, lead vibrant local businesses and carve out creative careers on their own terms. In the spirit of action, a portion of our ticket sales this year was donated to UN Women to support ongoing work promoting equality and protection for women and girls across the world.
A beautiful scent lingers long after you leave the room. In the same way, the impact of International Women’s Day can extend far beyond a single evening – simply by choosing to back the women creating, teaching and leading within your own community.
6 years in business
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Eccles
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1 to 50 guests
£54 - £60
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