A Letter to Willow and Esmé Harri

On Wednesday, our family welcomed new life into the world. My granddaughter, Esmé Harri.

Welcoming a brand new life during the week of International Women’s Day makes you pause. It reminds you why conversations about opportunity, equality and leadership matter so much.

So today I am writing this to both of you.

My dearest Willow and Esmé Harri,

This year’s International Women’s Day theme is Give To Gain. And across my life, mentoring has shown me how true that really is. When we give, we gain. Not because it is fashionable. But because lifting others is how real progress happens. Woman to woman, I want you both to understand this early. Giving does not weaken you. It strengthens you. When you share knowledge, you sharpen it.

When you support another woman, you expand your leadership. When you open a door, you create momentum.

You are growing into a world that will move quickly. Technology will reshape industries. Artificial intelligence will transform how we work. But human qualities will matter more than ever.

Judgement. Courage. Empathy. Integrity.

These are not soft traits. They are strategic strengths.

Across my career, in boardrooms and communities around the world, I have seen what happens when women choose abundance over scarcity.

When we stop believing there is only one seat at the table. And instead we build more tables. You come from a line of women who refused to shrink. Being fierce does not mean being loud. Being fearless does not mean feeling no doubt.

It means stepping forward anyway. I dedicated my memoir to you, Willow, because legacy is not about titles or positions. It is about mindset.

And now Esmé Harri, you are part of that story too. Curiosity. Resilience. Generosity.

Your value will never be defined by comparison.

It will be defined by contribution. So give your energy to building others. Give your voice to fairness. Give your talent to solving real problems. You will gain confidence. You will gain perspective. You will gain extraordinary women walking beside you.

The future will not be shaped by women who compete for space.

It will be shaped by women who create it. And looking at you both, I am full of hope for that future.

With all my love, Harriet