From Challenge, Comes Change - International Women’s Day 2021
On 8 March 2021 we mark International Women’s Day (IWD) – the annual day to celebrate achievements, raise awareness about women’s equality and lobby for gender parity.
IWD was first celebrated officially in 1911, when more than one million women and men in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland attended IWD rallies campaigning for women's rights to work, vote, be trained, to hold public office and end discrimination.
Since that first gathering, IWD has gained enormous momentum to become a global event when we stop to reflect and celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women - and focus on what more we can do to forge positive change.
In recent months we have seen some incredible women take centre stage in Australia and across the globe – women who have challenged long-held traditions and beliefs, spoken out and shown exactly what is possible when we stand up and stand out.
As a business coach, mentor and champion of women succeeding and thriving in the workplace, I am passionate about using my skills to lift others up and help women work towards the life we want and deserve.
In a personal contribution to celebrate International Women’s Day, in my next two blogs I’ll be profiling some amazing women, both in Australia and across the globe, whose leadership, bravery and strength have inspired me.
Brene Brown is my favourite author and motivational speaker – a woman who dares us to aim higher, be courageous, stand up and speak out. Author of five #1 New York Times bestsellers; The Gifts of Imperfection, Daring Greatly, Rising Strong, Braving the Wilderness, and Dare to Lead, Brene has spent the past two decades studying courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy.
Thank you Brene for your authenticity, bravery and determination to help all women lean into courage.
"Leadership is not about titles or the corner office. It’s about the willingness to step up, put yourself out there, and lean into courage. The world is desperate for braver leaders. It’s time for all of us to step up.” – Brene Brown
Grace Tame, an Australian activist and advocate for survivors of sexual assault, was named 2021 Australian of the Year on 25 January 2021.
At the age of 15, Grace was groomed and repeatedly abused by her 58-year-old maths teacher, who was eventually found guilty and jailed for his crimes.
Drawing upon incredible courage, Grace has used her voice to push for legal reform and raise public awareness about the impacts of sexual violence. Grace worked in partnership with journalist and sexual assault survivor advocate, Nina Funnell, to create a campaign called #LetHerSpeak, seeking to overturn Tasmania’s Evidence Act. She was the first female sexual assault survivor in Tasmania to win a court order to speak about her experience.
Thank you Grace, for your bravery and resilience in telling your story and challenging the status quo for those that follow you.
“It’s so important for people to own their own story, their own narrative and to take back control of who they are. And it’s so important that survivors know that it’s not their fault and to have the support of the community and the support of the law.” – Grace Tame
Turia Pitt is a mindset coach, athlete, burns survivor, motivational speaker and author.
Trapped by a grass fire in a 100 kilometre ultra-marathon in September 2011, Turia suffered burns to 65 per cent of her body. She lost seven fingers, had over 200 medical procedures and spent two gruelling years in recovery.
Turia has gone on to thrive in the ultimate story of triumph over adversity – training and competing in the Ironman Championships, learning to surf again, walking the Kokoda track and having two children. She has coached thousands of people, using her experience to help others find happiness, fulfillment and achieve their own goals.
Thank you, Turia for showing the world that with strength, courage and true self-belief, we can achieve anything.
“Never give up. You can do anything you want simply by never giving up.” – Turia Pitt
Ruth Bader-Ginsberg is widely regarded as a feminist icon and a fighter for the rights of all women and girls. Ruth was appointed to the Supreme Court of the United States in 1993, making her the second woman ever to serve on the Supreme Court.
Ruth led the way throughout her career with many ‘firsts’, including starting law school at Harvard as a new mother - one of the few women in her class - and co-founded The Women's Rights Law Reporter, the first law journal in the United States devoted to gender equality issues.
She spent much of her legal career as an advocate for gender equality and women’s rights, worked to upend legislation that discriminated based on one’s gender, and spent 27 years serving in the highest court in the United States.
Upon her passing in September last year at 87, Ruth was honoured as a role model, leader and trailblazer for women’s rights. To learn more about Ruth Bader-Ginsberg, seek out the 2018 documentary, RBG.
Thank you, Ruth for leading the way for so many women – using your expertise to call out injustice, challenge the status quo and change the future.
“Fight for the things that you care about. But do it in a way that will lead others to join you.” - Ruth Bader-Ginsberg
“A challenged world is an alert world. Individually, we're all responsible for our own thoughts and actions - all day, every day.”
International Women’s Day 2021
#ChooseToChallenge