#IWD2025: Creative Women - Wami Simmerie
02 March 2025 by Michelle
To celebrate International Women's Day on Satuday 8th March 2025, we're featuring interviews with dynamic, trailblazing, and courageous women working in creative fields who have a connection to Lancashire. Meet Wami Simmerie, a singer/songwriter and music producer.
International Women's Day (IWD) is an annual global event celebrating women and their achievements.
First initiated in 1911, IWD has since grown into a global movement encouraging us to stand up for a more diverse, equitable and inclusive world, free of discrimination and stereotypes.
According to World Economic Forum at the current rate of progress, gender parity is only expected to be achieved in 2158, five generations from now.
This year's campaign theme is #AccelerateAction, emphasising the important need for us to take swift and decisive steps to speed up the rate of action, so we can achieve gender parity sooner.
As part of our #IWD2025 "Creative Women" Series, meet Wami Simmerie.
Wami is a singer/songwriter and a producer of hiphop and R&B. She is also an advocate for young people gaining access to arts and creativity, and formerly a Youth Board member of Escape 2 Make.
Wami, what is your connection to Lancashire?
I moved to Lancaster, from South Africa, when I was 2 year old and grew up there with my family and pets. It has always been a small city where everybody knows each other from way back.
With that being said, being on the outside of everybody’s inner circles, it was difficult to connect with people and to be accepted throughout school.
What inspires or motivates your creative practice?
I was born for the spotlight, loved being surrounded by other children who I could relate to and call family.
I found that my spark and excitement came from the extra curricular activities available in Lancaster. I did karate lessons after school and was entered into competitions which I would collect medals from.
Dance groups popped up everywhere for me to join, and my excitement for performing choreographies on stage couldn’t be measured.
Drama groups allowed me to embody an unmatched confidence.
After I completed biomedical science in college, I took a gap year to balance academia and singing. In 2023, I took up opportunities to sing at the Kendal Calling and Boomtown Festivals with other talented UK hiphop artists. I began working on original projects with James Defty soon after.
In 2024, I had put my creative projects and hobbies aside in an attempt to completely to prioritise the search for full time work without distractions, and I called this “Making something of myself”.
However, I encountered endless complications and drawbacks along the way; Additionally under the weight of systemic pressures, with no balance of creativity in my life, I became lost. My mental and physical health depleted, and within 2 years, after I turned 20, I lost sight of my love for writing, producing and performing.
From this experience, I am learning that my purpose has NO relation to what my achievements look like to everybody else.
Music allows me to wholly appreciate aspects of myself that don’t usually work together in tandem.
I am happier when I make music, and when I dance. It’s the feeling that comes with creating that feeds my soul.
I grew up a creator, and sharing my talent and creations with the world around me is my purpose.
Any advice for women starting out or making their mark in the creative industries?
My advice to the women of the world who want to make their mark with their creative spark is to give yourself permission to show up for your creative projects the same way you prioritise school, work or other people.
As a performing artist, how do you think we can accelerate action to build momentum in addressing systemic barriers and biases?
Within the creative sector, there are a substantial amount of creators missing out on opportunities due to waiting until their art is perfected before they share it with the world.
It would make the world of a difference if we were encouraged to let our imperfect art grow and evolve with us.
Connect with Wami
Instagram: @wami_simmerie
Wami was photographed at Escape 2 Make in Lancaster by Christina Davies.
Christina Davies (Fish 2 Photography) is based in Preston and specialises in branding, interior, and commercial photography. She started her business in 2008 and loves working with small Lancashire and North West based businesses.
- View Christina's profile on our Creative Directory here.
- Websites: www.fish2commercial.co.uk/ / fish2.co.uk
- Instagram: @fish2commercial / @fish2photo / X: @fish2photo
About International Women's Day
International Women's Day (8 March) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.
The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women's equality.
IWD has occurred for well over a century, with the first gathering in 1911 supported by over a million people.
IWD is not country, group or organisation specific. It belongs to all groups collectively everywhere.
This year's theme for #IWD2025 is #AccelerateAction.
According to data from the World Economic Forum, at the current rate of progress, it will take until 2158, (roughly five generations), to reach full gender parity.
Focusing on the need to Accelerate Action emphasises the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality.
It calls for increased momentum and urgency in addressing the systemic barriers and biases that women face, both in personal and professional spheres.
So, together, let's Accelerate Action and speed up the rate of progress worldwide
Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that's diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women's equality and accelerate Action for gender equality.