Today, Thursday 8 March 2018, marks 104 years since the very first celebration of International Women's Day. Not only this, but this year, we also celebrate the centenary of women earning the right to vote in the UK. The world-wide celebration sees thousands, if not millions of women across the globe stand up to call for change.
Here at Shiplake, we have over 50 female pupils, all of whom continue to make the Shiplake community immensely proud with their achievements, resilience and attitude. Not only are they academically strong, but they portray humanity in a modern light, and represent the future of womanhood. But who is to thank for this? Our community is built on values and qualities which means that no pupil is left behind, regardless of their gender.
To celebrate all that our incredibly strong and durable ladies do here at Shiplake, we asked them to detail their experiences of womanhood and what it means to be a woman!
Jenny Fitzgerald – Medical Sister
What does it mean to you to be a woman?
To be happy in my own skin. To be a mother, a protector, a teacher, an advocate, a partner and nurturer who is completely crazy!
Lizzie Morgan – Head of Theology and Philosophy
What inspirational women do you have in your life?
My best friends Emily Howarth and Jessie Smith (and their mums) are my inspirations. Emily and Jess are very different, as are their mothers, but I learn from all of them. Emily and her mum Pauline possess a huge amount of confidence, wit and intelligence. They can balance having extremely demanding jobs with volunteering, family commitments, seeing friends, chilling on the sofa, exercise – the lot! They are the women who seem to have life sorted, in a really balanced and positive way. On the other hand, Jessie and Heather just emit friendliness, understanding and kindness. They too are confident but in a less obvious way. Creativity, being light-hearted and an understated work ethic are found in the core of the Smith household. The atmosphere in their family home is incredible.
Candi Tegg – Assistant Catering Manager
What does it mean to you to be a woman?
Being a woman to me means being a mother, a wife and a human! I love being a modern woman, in a mutually respectful marriage, balancing family life and a fulfilling work role.
Keli Thomas – Art Teacher
Do you have any strong, female role models?
Throughout my life I have been inspired by Beatrix Potter. Famously known for her illustrated children’s book of Peter Rabbit, but she was also a very successful businesswoman and left over 4000 acres of land to the National Trust when she died.
Debbie Munday – Senior Medical Sister
What is the most important thing to teach girls about their own experience as a woman?
When my daughter was little, we used to read the story of the 3 little pigs. The third pig, who built the house of brick, was always a girl pig. My daughter was brought up to believe that she could do anything if she wanted to, I like the saying, ‘she believed she could, so she did’ (this mantra is now on the wall in the Medical Wing). I think girls should be encouraged to reach their potential, be it academic, sport, nurturing …
Annemarie Higgins – Gilson Housemaster, Director of Learning Development
Do you have any strong, female role models?
Well who wouldn’t want to be Alicia Florrick, Olivia Pope or Claire Elizabeth Beauchamp Randall Fraser? However, in the real world, The Queen teaches us that age is no barrier. JK Rowling teaches us that single motherhood is no barrier; Malala Yousafzai, the youngest Nobel Prize winner, teaches us that radical Islam is no barrier and Lt-Col Lucy Giles teaches us that the army is no barrier (First female commander of Sandhurst) And of course Diana, Princess of Wales – Death is no barrier.
Dr Jackie Hutt – Science Laboratory Assistant
What inspirational women do you have in your life?
The most inspirational woman in my life is my daughter, who grabs opportunities with both hands and makes the most of everything life throws at her. She is also one very tough cookie. Another great inspiration to me was my grandmother, who has now passed away. She lived through two World Wars, was an air raid warden in WWII, lost her husband at a young age and supported her family single-handed. Despite enormous hardship, she was the strongest, kindest and most loving individual I have ever known.
Hilary Kernaghan – Residential Medical Sister
What is the most important thing to teach girls about their own experience as a woman?
Be true to yourself and all of your lovely emotions.
Sian Pearson – Deputy Housemaster, Drama Teacher
What is the most important thing to teach girls about their own experience as a woman?
To never use being a woman as an excuse, and to always celebrate being a woman as a gift.
Suzanne Hemchaoui – Catering Manager
What does it mean to be a woman?
I think it is important to be strong, tenacious and confident in your own abilities. The rest should hopefully fall into place eventually.
Moya Flynn – Human Resources Manager
What other inspirational women do you have in your life?
My closest friend Binzo who lost her youngest son two weeks after his 18th birthday (car accident), lost her sister in law and her nephew aged 20 to a genetic cancer which has impacted hugely on her family. All this in 2 years yet she still helps anyone she can, set up a charity in Sierra Leone “Rory’s Well”, which has now dug in excess of 17 wells supplying water to 20 villages, 10,000 people; lots of other projects including health, welfare and education, women’s farming project and bee keeping. Binzohas low moments, of course, but is the kindest most positive person I know. Oops forgot also undertook and completed MSC in International development at Bath. Like having Wonder Woman as my best friend
Claire O’Toole – Receptionist
Do you have any strong female role models?
I have a lady, Maureen, who I refer to as my ‘surrogate mother’. She is well into her seventies and an amazing lady. She re-trained from a secretarial background in her fifties, once her sons had left home, to a therapist specialising in Craniology. She has the patience of a saint, excellent advice and is a fantastic role model to her five granddaughters and two great-granddaughters. She stands out in a crowd with pink tips to her spiky blond hair and I love her to bits!
