For its July issue, British Vogue traded celebrities for essential workers to celebrate those on the "New Front-Line."
Amid the Coronavirus pandemic, British Vogue has turned its attention away from the lavish and the elegant to highlight three women who are risking their health and safety everyday for the benefit of others. Editor-in-chief Edward Enninful says the moment required British Vogue to step up:
"Vogue proudly waves the flag for fashion, in all its empowering, escapist, lavish and identity-affording capabilities. We will always do that – this issue included. But this moment required something extra special, too: a moment of thanks."
Narguis Horsford
The first of the three women honored is Narguis Horsford, a London Tube train driver. She has worked for the London Underground for ten years and now has the unique opportunity to transport other essential works amidst this global crisis. She said this about her position as an essential worker:
"I am no hero, but I'm proud of being a train driver and the essential role we are playing during the coronavirus crisis. Our services are vitally important to keep London moving throughout these unprecedented times and maintaining safety, to ensure our key workers can get to where they need to be to provide the services that are required."
Rachel Miller
Next is 24-year-old Rachel Miller, who has worked as a community midwife at Homerton Hospital in east London for almost three years. She shared her story about her bike was stolen during the pandemic, which was her main mode of transportation for home visits. Luckily, a fellow essential worker began raising money for a replacement, before a local company donated a brand new electric bike to Miller. She said this about the kindness she feels in her community:
"It's just one example of the community support and kindness that I've seen over the past few months, and what initially drew me to work in Homerton Hospital and the surrounding area. To say that I'm proud of my work family, and my wider community's response to this pandemic, is an understatement."
Anisa Omar
Anisa Omar, 21, has been working at Waitrose as a supermarket assistant for a year while also in her second year of business school. She represents a large majority of essential workers in food service who we rely on daily to stock goods, scan and bag groceries and even deliver items right to our doors. Here is what Omar had to say about working during a global pandemic:
"When the lockdown was announced, I felt like I just had to go in and do my job. I have felt slightly anxious, but, honestly, that's because we're in a pandemic now – people are just more on edge. You're putting yourself at risk by being at work, but it's worth it because you're helping people."
These three women represent a huge community of essential workers that deserve recognition and thanks during this difficult time.
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