It’s International Women’s Week and traditionally this weekend has always been a busy and hectic one for me. It is the final weekend before an International Women’s Day (IWD) event, and I am always buzzing. My energy is high and even though some things would be going awry, I would be ready like eddy.
IWD holds a special place in my heart because it’s a day that celebrates women around the globe, and in spite of the political and economic backdrop, there is always something or someone to celebrate. Sometimes it’s the little things. Great relationships, friendships, mentorships, and all the other ships we could name.
I’ve recently celebrated my 60th birthday and I found myself in deep reflection, recalling my work journey of 40+ years. I am remembering events, conferences, courses, away days, networking events, scrumptious conversations, laugh-out moments, and a few Jonah days. I have recollected all the incredible women who have been with me during my career.
Over the years I’ve been the creator, leader, or participant of an IWD event or contributed to the panel, or was the keynote. This journey was certainly helped and fuelled by having a platform and growing my network. The foundation of this was making the decision to lead Connecting Women@IBM and later becoming part of Connecting Women In Technology with other tech giants. Connecting Women@IBM, firstly from 2008–2013, and because I loved it the first time around, I returned again in 2018-2021. It was an ambition to have this role as a full-time occupation and not merely as an add-on to my already busy day job. I clearly recall Tracey Gilbert, my then-mentor inviting me to consider the role. At age 45 it seemed a tad late in the day however, I grabbed the opportunity, and under her tutelage, support, and guidance, I was able to find my feet, start to build teams by location, become even more highly organized, find my voice and my own style.
My parents (especially my mother) were solid role models for me. My mother was an outstanding and nurturing lady, not only to her biological children but to all. She loved listening to radio 4, always reading and learning something new. In her 60’s she returned to night school to learn shorthand and sewing. She told me from early doors that I could be anything I wanted to be and to get an education because no one can take that away from you.
In the world of work being anything I wanted to be wasn’t as easy as she described it. In fact, it was way more difficult than how she described it, and it seemed to take so much longer than anticipated. She didn’t explain to me that bias is a reality and that it turns up in the most unusual places and spaces in the world of work. She also forgot to inform me that other people’s stereotypical thinking would be part of my journey. And … even if I were the best person for the job it didn’t mean I would get the job. It’s quite comical now but not so funny at the time of experience.
I look back on my journey and I am uber grateful, happy, and enormously pleased that I have been surrounded all this time by incredible women who showed up for me. They come with great energy (which has drowned out the negative naysayers), ladies with positive mindsets, ladies who offer solutions, and that valuable can-do attitude. They have also corrected me when I needed that too.
I wish to say … Happy International Women’s Day to those who have championed, challenged, coached, mentored, guided, been an enabler, encouraged and positively gossiped about me! Advocated, pushed hard in the background, and believed in me. Those who have taken on the role of ally, opened doors and quelled my doubts and fears and when required mopped my fevered brow and offered a cuppa. To those that I have collaborated with over the years and laughed out loud with. To those who showed me empathy and understanding as my manager’s and offered me a psychologically safe space for me to be me, THANK YOU.
Ladies the work is not done, let us keep on celebrating one another. Let us leave a legacy of good and something so much better for the young ones. To all the allies, (He4She), Thank you for holding the space, you’ll receive your accolades when it’s International Day for whatever category you associate with. Today it’s about the ladies – Happy International Women’s week and month.
Some of my IWD pictures are attached, if only I could have taken more.
Some images from past IWD.
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