Goho x Penna - IWD Lunchtime Supperclub
As we reflect on International Women’s Day 2026, it was once again an incredible moment to celebrate the work, lives and successes of women across the world. But beyond the celebrations, we want to ensure that the powerful message behind this year’s theme ; “Give to Gain” lives on far beyond the day itself.
The theme reminds us that when we give our time, knowledge, support and opportunities to others, we create a ripple effect that benefits everyone. Supporting women is not a trade-off or a loss. It is an investment in stronger communities, workplaces and societies.
And the need for that support remains clear. According to the United Nations, women currently hold just 27.2% of seats in national parliaments globally, highlighting that while progress has been made, there is still much more to do to achieve true equality.
It’s this spirit of giving, of lifting one another up, that defined our International Women’s Day gathering this year.
A celebration of women, community and generosity
For this year’s event, Goho teamed up with Penna, an LHH Brand, to host an intimate and heartfelt lunch at the Chapel Bar in Islington.
Emma Foley once again curated a stunning three-course meal alongside her sister through their company Two Sisters Supper Club, a business born from the journey of two single mothers who chose to follow their passion for cooking. Their story itself perfectly embodied the ethos of Give to Gain: when women pursue their ambitions and support one another, extraordinary things can grow.
And the food? Simply incredible. The pistachio tiramisu alone could have been reason enough to attend! Thank you girls!
As guests took their seats, they were welcomed with beautiful goodie bags filled with products from a range of businesses, the majority of them female founded. Each item was chosen to help us pause, recharge and restore the energy we so often give to others.
A huge thank you to our generous partners - Peachus for their luxurious sleep masks, Wabi Sabi for their beautiful scented candle, Anatomicals for their headache balms and eye lifters, and of course, no Goho IWD lunch would be complete without Je Joue, providing their empowering and educational sexual wellness products. Bio Synergy provided matcha powder and female special blend collagen, Seep provided amazing biodegradable scourers, Emma Austen provided bag charms and Neuroscent gave beautiful goody bags filled with their incredible wellness scents. These gifts served as a gentle reminder that in order to give to others, we must also take moments to care for ourselves.
The lunch began with a mix of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages supplied by Mocktails, ensuring everyone could enjoy a celebratory drink. For those who needed an extra boost, there was also a rum espresso martini crafted using Etan Rum, another brilliant sister-founded heritage rum brand.
Throughout the afternoon, we were privileged to hear from a series of inspiring speakers who brought the “Give to Gain” message to life.
We were honoured to welcome back Councillor Anntoinette Bramble, who opened the event with a powerful reflection on gratitude. She reminded us that the moments when we feel tired or stretched are often the very moments when we are giving our all to something, or someone, we truly care about. That exhaustion is not a weakness, but a sign of the energy we invest in causes and communities that matter to us all.
We were also delighted to hear from Dawn Carter-McDonald, Chief Executive of the London Borough of Hackney. Dawn spoke passionately about the importance of continuing the fight for the rights of women and girls around the world, bringing the conversation back to the global mission highlighted by the United Nations.
A moment to connect
Of course, an event like this is not only about the speeches.
There was also time to pause while the meal was served , allowing guests to share stories, talk about their businesses and experiences, and most importantly lift one another up.
Because often the most powerful outcomes of gatherings like these are the connections made across the table.
To close the afternoon, Rachael Morris, Associate Partner at Penna, left the room with a truly inspiring thought:
“People have given me the gift of a future that I could not see. They took a chance on me, and today I choose to give that forward. So as you leave this gathering of inspirational women, ask yourself: what will your next gift be?”
And perhaps that is the question we should all carry forward from this year’s International Women’s Day. Because the real power of Give to Gain lies not in a single event or moment, but in what happens next.
