International Women’s Month Sofa Chats 2023 | Dame Stephanie Shirley | Trinny

In honour of International Women’s Month, Trinny is joined today by a true feminist icon - female founder and philanthropist Dame Stephanie Shirley. After founding a hugely successful all-woman software company in the 1960s, Dame Stephanie (more affectionately known as Steve) turned her hand to philanthropy. She founded a residential home for autistic people and has worked tirelessly to raise money for autism research, all inspired by her late son Giles. Shattering the glass ceiling at a time when it was difficult to be a female entrepreneur, Steve’s story is an inspiration to women everywhere - not only in business but in all walks of life. This fascinating conversation is not to be missed…
Read Dame Stephanie's story here: www.steveshirley.com/story/
Read more about Autistica, the UK’s national autism research charity, here: www.autistica.org.uk/
Read more about Autism at Kingwood, a registered charity and social care provider founded by Dame Stephanie Shirley here: www.kingwood.org.uk/
Read more about Prior’s Court, a registered charity providing education and residential care for young people with complex autism here: www.priorscourt.org.uk/
Find out more about The Oxford Internet Institute now: www.oii.ox.ac.uk/
0:00 - Introducing Dame Stephanie
0:28 - Challenges getting women into the work place in the 60’s
2:00 - What things enabled you to have confidence to start your business?
5:03 - When did you first feel you had a successful business?
7:07 - When was the most successful time for your company?
9:30 - At what stage building your business did you think you want to do things in a more philanthropic way?
10:40 - What was your first board seat of another company?
13:40 - How and why did you first start a charity for young people with Autism?
18:51 - What do you feel your biggest achievement is?
19:52 - What do you think your biggest legacy is?
22:03 - What’s the thing you’ve been most scared of in your life?
23:56 - What happened to the company in the end?
26:33 - What was the first thing you gave money to?
27:32 - Why did you decide to write a book and what is it about?
28:58 - Where there any company that you wish you never invested in?
30:14 - How can we best support other women?

[@alexandraraftery9263]

What an inspiring conversation. Refreshing to hear from an entrepreneur who was so considered and committed in creating a legacy with true meaning.

[@TrinnyLondon]

💕

[@sallykins3800]

I read about this lady. I completely understand her isolation , despair, and being torn as a mother with a son on the Autistic Spectrum. Dealing with Giles and losing him too . I recommend reading about this amazing woman,she had an unthinkable start to her young life and has done so much for women.

[@aoifehickey4860]

What an inspirational conversation, brought me to tears. Two incredible women sharing their experiences ❤️ also as a mum to two beautiful boys with autism I am wowed by how much she achieved on a professional level while still maintaining a home life 💙 Well done to the Trinny team for an incredible conversation and well done Trinnny for allowing Steve to speak and not interrupting xxx

[@sallykins3800]

You’re so right ‘Steve’s’ whole life has been an inspiration

[@TrinnyLondon]

💕

[@anniechorley4940]

My mum who was in her twenties during the sixties has said how you had to be better than a man to be taken on or continue in a job/profession that was male dominated. She had always wanted to go into textile design, but was told it wasn't a woman's job. This was a woman who came from a poor background but attained a scholarship to go to a prestigious convent school. Her brother was sponsored by a wealthy person to go to Cambridge as part of becoming a priest. When I did my PGCE, I recall us being informed that girls were deliberately marked down for the 11plus, so that more men than women went on to grammar school. All those wasted dreams and wasted talent. What a travesty. And still going on in many parts of the world...

[@maryfitzpatrick3252]

60 years of woven experience. Am her age so this rings my bell 🔔 Excellent choice, Trinny. Kudos.

[@elke-katharinaguthardt1137]

Your activitys are always so interesting and inspiring. Love it. Elke-Katharina from Germany

[@tarunifalconer]

Excellent and very engaging interview. Such rich learning shared. Thank you, both, for your generous sharing.

[@robynashmore5487]

Thank you for introducing us to this incredibly inspiring woman Trinny. Sisterhood is the biggest thing that spoke to me in this which all started with the love of a Mother.

[@CountieLt25]

Wonderful and humbling! Yes she is a doer!

[@suzangroves959]

Thank you so much for this interview im of the same vintage as this wonderful lady and had never heard of her. I have family members with autism and friends who have also family members, what a debt we owe her. I also often beat myself up about not having more ambition when I was younger but her words reminded me of those times and I realised I am judging myself on the opportunities women have now. I do think we must not fall into the trap of treating men the way we were treated though, as male suicide has increased and young men need to evolve without the benefit of the support, they may need, in managing their testosterone and appropriate social interactions with women.

[@michellenbayot3395]

I cried watching this😢... I"m living in Asia and a single mom to a 24 yr old autistic son with learning difficulties and wishing we can have someone like Her to help us

[@TrinnyLondon]

💕

[@carysnw1]

This was marvelous! Living in France, I had no idea what to expect, but I learned so much from Dame Steve. Again, knowing both your talents and limitations seems to be the common thread among entrepreneurs. That she has translated this success with a high degree of emotional intelligence inspires me to buy her book! I must add that Trinny appears to be so well-suited to this type of thoughtful interview. She is overflowing with curiosity, and I remain quite charmed and touched by how authentic this exchange is. There is a kind of spark that only comes from truly listening -- not reading notes or canned questions or rehearsing. In a more ambient setting, I think this would be a banging monthly feature. I've really been impressed by this series. It's a different side of Trinny I quite like!

[@simplysony7308]

Love love love love 😍

[@TrinnyLondon]

💕

[@helenkbdb8136]

MOST INSPIRING INTERVIEW!!! sisterhood at its best! what a great woman, a real dame!

[@ana85ist]

She looks so powerful and at the same time so close. Very interesting interview Trinny,thank you.👋

[@louisenaughton5560]

Great work Steve on the Autism support work.... never lose hope in people with Autism and their capabilities.

[@EM-et5hj]

She is such an amazing person and after all her achievements she looks like a very nobel person. Many thanks for the interview

[@JamJarGill]

Brilliant interview with a brilliant and inspirational woman - thank you for introducing her to me - I will definitely look into her further ❤

[@logiclanguagelearningFrench]

I have just spent the fourth day in and out of hospital this week. In huge pain, catheterised and sad ai thought I’d do my normal trick and watch Trinny motivate me with her gorgeous personality. And then, came this. Epic, inspiring, moving, powerful. What a treat x For all we all love a good face cream THIS, is Trinny London. Thank you.

[@TrinnyLondon]

Sending love X

[@ldfifer]

Thank you for sharing this inspiring story, and for leading the way for women today!

[@katebright2199]

Her Book ‘Let It Go’ is essential reading for humanity, let alone us female entrepreneurs smashing the glass ceilings labeled ‘we’ve always done it this way’. Our business, UMBRA International, is all the more successful for her inspiration 🔒⚖️🔒

[@LaLeMay]

Delighted you are celebrating International Women’s Month. As it should be. Other ‘disadvantaged’ groups have seemingly year round months of celebration etc…women need this most! Great interview too. ❤

[@clairejupp876]

What an inspiring converation, it's so enriching listening to what Dame Stephanie has to say, so much so I 'm going to order her memoir. Thank you Trinny, two inspirational women sharing valuable and interesting experiences.

[@christinemack2153]

Lovely to learn about this remarkable woman

[@ursanirak2870]

And she is an excellent interviewer too 💃💃

[@ankelohmann9714]

This was so interesting to listen to. And what a woman!

[@leighefferion8889]

Wonderful inspiring interview! Thank you both xo

[@EsteeWalts]

Ambitious...........so extremely happy i never suffered from that illness 🥰 All this struggling and suffering and all the stress ....for your own satisfaction and for money ? No way. I enjoy the harmony with my children and grandchildren , with Nature, animals ( NO animal eating of course) flowers, trees. That is what i think to be most important in life. Please call me old fashioned...it is me an honor.Maybe it is because my mother (1922-2016)was extremely ambitious. So...i knew and know what it implicated (hard working all the time, meetings even in the evenings) and never envied her. I always detest meetings and have aways avoid them. I did make my choices very consciously.

[@Smirnoffel]

Amazing woman! 👏💕

[@fashiontoptrendsyt]

Amazing woman! 💕 so interesting.

[@SP-kx1qn]

Amazing women 👏 ❤️

[@Hannahpearce22222]

What an amazing woman! Flexible!

[@jasbegs1258]

Very interesting.

[@TrinnyLondon]

💕