Spotlight of the Week: Sarah Brown – A Champion for Global Education and Maternal Health
Sarah Brown stands as a towering figure in global education and maternal health advocacy. As the Chair of Theirworld and Executive Chair of the Global Business Coalition for Education, Sarah’s work has left an indelible mark on the lives of millions of children and mothers worldwide. Her commitment to ensuring that every child receives the best start in life, access to safe education, and skills for the future has driven her to spearhead groundbreaking campaigns, launch innovative programs, and unite global communities for social change.
Theirworld: Pioneering Global Education Initiatives
Founded by Sarah in 2002, Theirworld is a global children’s charity dedicated to ending the global education crisis and unlocking the potential of the next generation. Under Sarah’s leadership, Theirworld has been at the forefront of numerous impactful campaigns and initiatives. One of the charity’s most notable achievements was the collection of 11 million signatures for a petition that led to the establishment of Education Cannot Wait, a world-first global fund for education in emergencies. This initiative has since provided education to over 4.6 million children affected by crises.
In 2022, Theirworld’s #LetMeLearn campaign at the United Nations played a crucial role in creating a new funding mechanism that will unlock billions for education worldwide. The charity has also been instrumental in addressing the educational needs of Syrian refugee children through the innovative double shift schooling system in Lebanon and Turkey, enabling hundreds of thousands of refugee children to attend school.
Sarah’s dedication to providing education for all is also evident in Theirworld’s recent efforts to deliver 70,000 laptops to Ukrainian children and teachers displaced by conflict. This initiative, in collaboration with HP, Microsoft, and the Olena Zelensky Foundation, is a testament to Sarah’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that education continues even in the most challenging circumstances.
A Lifelong Commitment to Maternal and Child Health
Sarah’s advocacy extends beyond education to maternal and child health. In 2004, she established the Jennifer Brown Research Laboratory at the University of Edinburgh, which conducts vital research into the causes of premature birth. Her dedication to reducing maternal mortality led to the Maternal Mortality Campaign (2008-2011), which successfully halved maternal deaths worldwide. As Global Patron of the White Ribbon Alliance, Sarah united health professionals, business leaders, and youth activists to advocate for the end of healthcare fees for pregnant women in 16 countries, significantly reducing maternal mortality rates.
Her contributions to maternal and child health have earned her numerous accolades, including Honorary Fellowships from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, as well as Honorary Degrees from several prestigious universities.
Leadership, Advocacy, and Global Influence
Sarah Brown’s influence extends into the corporate world as well. She served as a Non-Executive Director on the board of Harrods Group for ten years and is currently an Independent Director of beauty company Waldencast plc. A passionate advocate for women’s leadership, Sarah has also been a Patron of the CBI First Women Awards, celebrating women in business.
Her voice as an advocate is amplified through her popular podcast, “Better Angels with Sarah Brown,” where she interviews globally renowned activists, leaders, and youth, guiding listeners to transform their voices into meaningful action.
A Personal Journey and Legacy
Sarah Brown’s journey began in Tanzania, East Africa, before moving to North London and later studying Psychology at Bristol University. Her personal experiences, combined with her professional achievements, have shaped her into a formidable advocate for change. Living in London and Scotland with her husband, Gordon Brown, and their children, Sarah continues to use her platform to drive global awareness and action for education and maternal health.
