Rochester Literature Festival

In our inspiring Creative Medway Women event, we hosted two remarkable trailblazers – Lynne Parker (left), founder of Funny Women, and Sue Davis, a pioneer in digital content and web design – who shared their unique journeys and the challenges they’ve overcome in industries still grappling with sex inequality.

Breaking Barriers in Comedy

Lynne Parker began her career in fashion journalism, writing for glossy magazines like Harper’s & Queen before moving into public relations. But a pivotal moment came in the 1990s when, while promoting a comedy club, she was told outright: “Women aren’t funny.”

That moment sparked the founding of Funny Women in 2003—a platform that now supports, celebrates, and showcases emerging female comedic talent. Since then, Funny Women has helped launch the careers of major names such as Katherine Ryan, Sarah Millican and Zoe Lyons.

Despite over two decades of impact, Lynne says Funny Women is still vital: the UK comedy scene remains around 80% male-dominated, with women struggling for equal billing and booking opportunities.

Designing the Digital Landscape

Sue entered the workforce in the early ’90s with a background in illustration and design—just as the internet was emerging. Pivoting into web content and design at a time when few knew how the web even worked, Sue became a digital pioneer, developing some of the first campaign websites in the UK and helping Channel 4 move their educational leaflets into web formats.

She realized early on that web content required a completely different approach from print—and began training others to make that shift. Sue went on to develop one of the UK’s first professional courses on web content strategy, which she still teaches today.

A passionate advocate for ethical tech, Sue also co-founded Internet Freedom, one of the first UK groups opposing early forms of online censorship. She continues to mentor creatives on how to blend storytelling with technology.

Shared Values: Visibility, Voice, and Representation

Despite working in different sectors, both women identified the same barriers: underrepresentation, gatekeeping, and systemic assumptions about what women can or can’t do.

Lynne recounted how Funny Women’s awards were designed to unearth and amplify new voices—especially those not already represented in mainstream comedy. After a hiatus in 2024 due to funding challenges, the Funny Women Awards returned this year, with new backing from the BBC’s Funny Parts. The awards celebrate emerging talent in stand up, writing, short film and content creation.

Sue reflected on the challenges of choosing a career in design rather than hard coding, despite being fully capable. She added that too often, women steer toward “soft skills” and avoid the hardcore coding or tech roles that are still male-dominated.

“If I’d stayed in code, I could have retired 10 years ago. But I chose the softer, more ‘womanly’ route. That’s a regret.”

Their stories underline how visibility isn’t just symbolic—it creates tangible opportunities.

Thoughts on AI and the Creative Future

Both speakers shared concerns about the impact of artificial intelligence on creative industries. Sue sees it as a useful tool—for improving drafts and generating ideas—but cautions against relying on it for authentic expression.

“AI can help, but it always sounds robotic. It’s not your voice.”

Lynne, coming from a creative industries perspective, expressed concern about AI replacing original talent and infringing on copyrights.

“When it starts putting creatives out of work, that’s where it becomes a real threat.”

Reflections to Their Younger Selves

When asked what advice they’d give their younger selves, the answers were as honest as they were powerful:

• Sue: “Don’t be afraid to do the hard things. Don’t be a pushover. And don’t let motherhood or freelancing erase your worth.” 
• Lynne: “Follow your gut. Use your intuition. Don’t do what others think you should do—do what feels right.”

Final Thoughts

This candid, often humorous discussion underscored a clear truth: the creative and digital worlds need more inclusive, female-led spaces. Whether you’re starting out in comedy, tech, or storytelling, the experiences of Lynne Parker and Sue Davis offer both a roadmap and a rallying cry.

The takeaway? Don’t wait to be invited—build your own stage, code your own platform, and tell your own story.

Thank you Sue and Lynne, for sharing your stories with us 🙂