Mirror editor Caroline hands over role to woman, 23, to mark International Day of the Girl

Mirror editor-in-chief Caroline Waterston handed over the baton for the day to Vannessa as part of a Girls’ Takeover – an initiative organised by charity Plan International UK

It was a peaceful takeover, staged to mark today’s United Nations’ International Day of the Girl, held every year to celebrate the power and potential of girls and young women.

Mirror editor-in-chief Caroline Waterston handed over the baton for the day to Vannessa as part of a Girls’ Takeover – an initiative organised by charity Plan International UK to give people the chance to try out a leadership role for the day. Here, the 23-year-old gives a personal insight into running one of the world’s busiest newsrooms…

On Wednesday October 9, I found myself stepping into a new chapter, taking on the role of editor-in-chief at the Mirror for a day. This wasn’t just a symbolic moment, it was a deep, personal journey of reflection on ­leadership, resilience, and authenticity. Walking into the newsroom, I was flooded with excitement, nervousness, and a sense of ­responsibility, not only to myself but to the many young women I represent.

Taking Caroline Waterston’s seat, I immediately felt the weight of what it means to be a leader. For me, this wasn’t just about ­temporarily wearing a title, but about embracing my own journey – one marked by moments of doubt, loss, and having to rediscover my voice after being repressed for so long.

Like many young women, I’ve faced numerous challenges, personally and professionally, yet there I was, leading with the confidence I fought to reclaim. Throughout the day, I learned that being a leader isn’t about having all the answers or wearing an unbreakable shield. It’s about knowing when to ask questions, when to share your ­vulnerabilities and how to turn your wounds into wisdom.

In fact, this was one of the most profound lessons I took away from the day. Leadership today is less about flawless execution and more about showing up authentically, scars and all. It was a whirlwind day, from leading meetings to shouting ­“conference” across the newsroom. That pushed me outside my comfort zone, but I found my voice ringing out clearly.

It was a chance to bring a fresh, younger perspective to discussions about the future of journalism, diversity in the media, and the stories we should be telling. At moments when the ­pressure of the day felt overwhelming, I retreated to the wellbeing room, a quiet space that provided much-needed respite. There, I practised breathing techniques I’ve relied on in the past to centre myself during challenging times.

Learning to manage my anxiety has been one of the most important tools in my resilience toolkit, and being able to use those techniques reminded me how critical self-care is, even in the most high-stakes situations. One of the most inspiring parts of the day was connecting with Caroline, who shared her own stories of overcoming setbacks, personal and professional.

Her journey is one of resilience, turning her own wounds into wisdom, a narrative I deeply relate to. Listening to her, I realised we are all, in a sense, wounded healers, using our experiences not only to guide ourselves but to lift up others around us.

I’ve always admired those I consider “wounded healers” – people who have faced battles and used them to inspire others. Women such as Brene Brown, whose work on vulnerability has transformed the way we understand
leadership, or ­therapists I know who have faced their own traumas and now help others. These women are not only changing the conversation around mental health, but are reshaping leadership by proving it is our imperfections that make us strong.

This girls’ takeover was about ­celebrating the potential of young women and the power we hold to reshape the future. It was also a reminder of how women leaders are changing the landscape of mental health. Many female healers I admire are those who openly share their mental health struggles, using their stories to create safe spaces for others.

This is especially significant on International Day of the Girl. By stepping into leadership roles, we are redefining what it means. We are embracing authenticity over perfection, vulnerability over ­invincibility, and compassion over fear. As I reflect on my day at the Mirror, I realise leadership is not about being the strongest or the loudest, it’s about being the most authentic.

It’s about using our stories, our wounds, to inspire and guide others. I left the newsroom not just as a young woman who took on a title for a day, but as a leader empowered by the knowledge that my voice matters, my wounds can be my greatest strengths, and that resilience, above all, is what will carry us forward.

Info: plan-uk.org/dayofthegirl