I was honoured and proud to be invited to speak at the International Womens' Day breakfast at the RAAF base at Amberley last Friday. Hosted by WINGs (Womens Integrated Networking Group), it gave me an opportunity to speak about the lessons learnt in two careers that were predominantly male- dominated, being a veterinarian in a rural practice and project management in Hamilton Island real estate.
My message though was that we need to focus on equality, not gender equality, age equality nor race nor colour nor creed.
Did you know that the average executive gender pay gap is $162,000 but did you also know that Ziauddin Yousafzai, father of 2014 Nobel Peace Prize winner, Malala, initiated the fight for equal education for all children. In his country this just happened to relate to girls.
Did you know the ACT Australian of the Year, Virginia Haussegger, whilst known as a leading advocate for women, doesn't like to say that men are part of the problem, but are part of the solution?
The powerful women of our ADF (Australian Defence Force) are, just like all of us, juggling careers, marriage, children and personal development and contentment and, just like all of us, are passionate about finding solutions.
So, as women, what can we do individually:
DO:
- Lead by example - be a role model to your sons, your daughters, your team.
- Take every opportunity to advance the cause of EQUALITY wherever it occurs be it home, work or society.
- Speak up whenever the opportunity presents itself, be an avid supporter of equality across the board.
- Be proud of our differences.
DON'T:
- Burn your bras .... not a good look!
- Be a strident voice for equality, use logic and reason.
- Accept second best!
I have been invited back to speak in May on taking control of our space, be it a stage, the office or our community by growing our personal presence. I would be extending this concept to explore the what, why and how of Conflict Resolution . Thrilled that this half of Storkeys' Team can interact with this audience again. Let's hope that this time there are more than two men in the group present!???