This International Women’s Day, we embrace the global theme of “Accelerate Action” by stepping into a moment of reflection. We asked some of the incredible women from RSP’s global offices: “If you could meet your younger self for coffee, what would you say?”
Through heartfelt notes and reflections, they shared words of encouragement, wisdom, and resilience. Messages to their past selves that also serve as inspiration for the next generation of women in the built environment sector.
Alongside their reflections, some of them shared childhood photos, reminders of where they started and how far they have come. These messages aren’t just advice for their past selves, but words of encouragement for every woman striving to make her mark in the built environment sector.
"I met my younger self for coffee today.
She said she would be five minutes late.
I arrived even later than she did.
The sight of her impatient scowl made me chuckle.
She wore a t-shirt and shorts, decked out in black from head to toe.
I wore a pink dress and glasses that suit my face shape better than hers.
She ordered milk tea. So do I - also with 100% sugar and no ice.
She told me she skipped PE class for McDonald's . She didn't believe me when I told her I used to go to the gym weekly.
She asked me about the brown (TEL) line. I told her it extends all the way to the east now.
She said she wants to travel. I told her we have a few trips coming up soon.
She mentioned that she felt out of place here in this country. I told her it would take a few years, but one day we'll feel right at home.
We hugged each other. I hope we meet again soon."
"I met my younger self for coffee at 10:00.
She was already there, wearing jeans and a T-shirt, a camera hanging loosely by her side.
Her eyes lit up when I walked in, unsure of who she was meeting,
And maybe even more unsure of who she would become.
I sat across from her, adjusting my dress—a little more polished than she expected.
She was an architect, but still figuring it out,
Still wondering if she really wanted to see the world,
Or if the world would even open its doors for her.
She told me about the things she worried about:
The dreams that felt too far away to reach,
The relationships she feared she’d mess up,
And the versions of herself she still wasn’t ready to embrace.
I wanted to tell her that all those dreams would happen,
That she’d see cities far beyond her imagination,
And even call one of them home.
But instead, I listened.
We talked about life, design, the places she still had on her map.
As we spoke, I could see her starting to believe, little by little,
That the journey of discovering herself would be her greatest adventure,
And that confidence would come from everything she would learn along the way.
When it was time to go,
She stood up, camera in hand,
Still unsure if she was ready to capture everything life had to offer.
I smiled as we parted ways,
Knowing that soon enough, she'd walk into that world
With open eyes and open hands,
And that the cities she once doubted she'd ever visit Would soon be hers to design."
"You're going to face challenges, but you’ve got the power to conquer them. You might not know it yet, but you have everything inside you that you need to do so. Stand tall, be bold, and trust the process."
"Just do your best in everything. If you achieve something, it's the icing on the cake. If not, just let nature take its course!"
"Every effort you put in, no matter how small, is shaping the person you are becoming. There will be challenges, but your dedication will never go to waste. One day, you’ll look back and realize that every step, every late night, and every challenge you overcame was leading you to something greater. Keep going—you will shine in ways you never imagined."
"Keep moving forward—there’s no need to pause and pick flowers to keep them, for new ones will always bloom along the way."
This International Women’s Day, let’s continue to accelerate action, uplift one another, and build a future where women in architecture, engineering, planning, and design can thrive without limits.
To all the women shaping our cities and spaces, your journey is inspiring and your impact is undeniable. Happy International Women’s Day!
