Carine Agossou is a Hey Lady! member based in France. She joined the community with one clear goal: to improve her English fluency. What she found went far beyond grammar and vocabulary.

This is her reflection on what giving and receiving really looks like inside a learning community, written for International Women's Day 2026. We think it says something important about how women grow when they stop trying to do it alone.

‍_{Give to Gain}

What solidarity between women makes possible 🧨

Some experiences deeply change the way we see the world. The session about "give to gain" recently opened my eyes in an unexpected way. It reminded me of a simple but powerful truth: personal development is never a solitary journey.

I joined this platform with a clear goal: to improve my English fluency. I invested time, energy, and resources to learn, practise, and grow. But when I look back at the journey, one thing becomes very clear: out of the 149 hours of English that I contributed to and participated in, more than 80% were made possible thanks to you.

Out of the 149 hours of English that I contributed to and participated in, more than 80% were made possible thanks to you.

Of course, the coaches and community managers do their work with great professionalism. However, the real richness of this experience comes from you, these extraordinary ladies who, day after day, create a living and generous learning space.

You organised coffee tables that I joined. You participated in the sessions I hosted. You spoke with me in the breakout rooms. Very often, you offered your presence, your listening, and your support without me even asking. You accompanied me without expecting any promise or return.

Because of you, I was able to complete challenges that I might not have dared to face alone. In moments of doubt or fatigue, you were there. You shared your personal experiences, your reflections, and your advice. And you did it with rare authenticity and kindness.

I also remember the smiles and the laughter we shared. The conversations early in the morning at 6:30, and the ones that continued late at night. Through these simple moments, you showed something essential: when women trust each other and give each other space to grow, they become capable of extraordinary things.

Your generosity is remarkable. It honours you and, above all, it lifts the people around you.

On this International Women's Day, whose theme is "Rights, Justice and Action for all women and girls," I simply want to say thank you.

• Thanks for your generosity.
• Thanks for your time.
• Thanks for your intelligence.
• Thanks for your sharing and your support.
• Thanks for your trust.
• Thanks for believing in yourselves.
• Thanks for investing in yourselves.

Through your actions, you are already helping to make these rights real. At your level, you are creating more justice, more opportunities, and more possibilities for each of us.

I hope that, in return, I will be able to give you at least a small part of what you give to me.

Thanks to each of you, members, little sisters, big sisters, coaches, community managers, technical support, and our founder. You are all my champions.

_{With gratitude,}

Carine 🧨

Carine Agossou is a Hey Lady! member based in France. She has logged over 149 hours of English practice with the community and continues to show up for the women around her every day.