International Women’s Day 2021

Chief Executive Officer at Pathway Project a charity supporting people escaping domestic and sexual abuse.

I’ve been CEO for just under two years, and before that I was the Operations Director for Pathway for 12 years.

I had been working in retail management since I left university and really wanted to do something different, but where I could take some of my skills with me.  It was completely by chance that I stumbled on Pathway’s job advert, and while I had no previous experience of DA I just thought why not?  I read as much as I could about domestic and sexual abuse in preparation and I was really proud I had got to the interviews.  I always remember asking Kathy ‘are you sure?’ when she offered me the job!

Not for me, but that’s because Pathway has always been a women’s organisation.  It was founded by a strong woman, who always led from the front, so we have always adopted that mantel with our staff.

Absolutely.  I’ve been asked to fetch drinks, get people’s buffets and ordered around.  Unfortunately, they couldn’t have picked a worse person to ask as I never buy into things like that.  I have no problem speaking up and challenging where needed and that encourages people to see your worth.  I was 27 when I started, and looked younger so I am sure people saw me as a ‘silly little girl’, however, no one at Pathway ever allows anyone to think that for long.

To go for it.  If I had really sat and thought about moving to Pathway I probably would have talked myself out of it.  Instead, I thought why not and found something that I am incredibly passionate about.  When Kathy retired and I was approached about taking over as CEO at a difficult time for the organisation, there was no question that I would regret it if I didn’t do it.

Find something that you have passion about and drives you, and that gives you a voice that you want to be heard.  I won’t sit back and listen to anyone dismiss the feelings, needs or requirements of my staff, service users, or organisation, which means that I tend to look at the work that’s being done or discussed, rather than the gender of the person that’s saying it.  I have one job to do and that’s always my focus no matter who I am dealing with.

Not being quiet.  It’s about professional challenge and a desire to work together and make things better.

Absolutely.  I have often been asked what would I do if I didn’t work for Pathway, and quite honestly I haven’t got a clue.

In my line of work its great to see so many women leading organisations and really contributing towards our communities, and it’s great to see so many traditionally male led services and agencies turn towards us because of our knowledge and specialism in the work we do.

I am the Chief Fire Officer from Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service

I joined Bedfordshire Fire Service as a firefighter on the 20^th July 1992

I wanted a job that was not desk-bound, offered lots of variety and gave me the chance to make a difference to others. I had known some retained firefighters and they always seemed like they enjoyed the work and it presented physical and mental challenges to them. I though it looked like a option for me but never once through I would get selected, least of all make a lengthy career out of the role.

It has been difficult at time because when I joined there were very few female firefighters so we were seen as something very unusual. We were often questioned as to how could women do the same job as a man because of the heavy equipment and the physicality of the role. It also came as a great surprise to people we went out to that there was a women who was part of the crew.

At the start of my career , more than 25 years ago, there were times where people expected that you would not be able to undertake the role so you were continually tested. I have also been told in no uncertain terms by some people that they could not trust me to rescue them out of a burning building because I was a woman.

The Fire Service is a fantastic place to work, times have moved on so much since I first joined. The key for me I think is doing a job that you are really interested in and that makes you happy. It is important to have a range of skills to be successful through a recruitment process because the competition is high to become a firefighter. You need to be able to work as part of a team, show compassion and empathy because you are helping people at their worst of times and you do need to be physically fit. You do not have to be an Olympic athlete however. Don’t be put off if you are not successful the first time around, get feedback on why this time you were not successful and then work hard.

Stop thinking about jobs being either right for a woman or a man, we all have an incredible amount to offer. Believe in yourself, your skills you’re your capability you are amazing.

There are formal mechanisms in place to follow within the world of work and these are there to help and support you.

Yes, I would advise my 22 year old self to apply again if I had the chance.

I much rather look at the environment in which I work as a place where teams work together and these teams are made up of lots of difference. This difference is what makes team work interesting and fulfilling because of the way you successfully achieve things together.

I was the Founder and CEO of Pathway Project, a domestic and sexual abuse service.  I retired almost two years ago but still offer my services in a voluntary capacity.

I was employed for 25 years as CEO and prior to that spent 7 years in a voluntary capacity setting the project up, whilst also working in other jobs such as with the Council of Voluntary Service.

I was in a very abusive marriage when I started setting up the project, hoping to help other people in a similar situation.   When I finally escaped from that marriage I was even more focused on helping others and making Pathway work.   It was never my chosen career path, and I wouldn’t have even thought to do this type of work had I not gone through the abuse that I did.

In my early days it was really tough.  I was trying to persuade and influence local councillors to support the project and I literally felt at times that I was being patted on the head and told to go home.  The council was primarily made up of men who really lacked understanding of the issue of domestic abuse.   I was told that there was no domestic abuse in Lichfield District.  This was obviously a failure to collect any data which would have proved the need.

I was treated with a patronising attitude, partly because I was a woman and partly because I didn’t have any relevant experience, other than lived experience.  Had I not been so determined it would have been very easy to give up and walk away.   I was made to believe that I was never going to succeed in setting up my charity.   I believe that if I had been male I would have had a lot more support and respect.   Of course the experience around the country was similar everywhere – it was women with lived experience who were setting up the projects, often at huge costs to themselves.   The ethos was very much of women supporting women.   Once the project was up and running, there was no specific funding, and we had to run on a shoestring.  Men controlled most of the local authority grant funding and had control of the budgets.   It really was a man’s world and in many ways that is still the case.  A case a colleague was once at a conference with women speaking about domestic abuse, when a man stood up and asked why there were no men’s projects.   A woman gave a really powerful answer, that when men put their lives on hold, invested their time and their own money into setting up projects, often without pay, then there would be men’s projects.

I would say ‘Do it’.   Despite all of the difficulties, the stress and the sacrifices, it is the most amazing thing that I have ever done.   When you feel that passion to help other people, when you give yourself completely to the work, then you can change the world for others.   In some cases you will save lives that would otherwise have been lost.

Sadly there are a number of people, primarily men, who feel that our work is targeted against them.   Our services are gender specific in most part, but we are available to male victims too.   Making sure that this is understood is important.   Finding ways to work with men, rather than against them, is the best way to move forward.   It took time, but I ended up with many very good working relationships with men.

In the end your outcomes prove the necessity for and the excellence of your performance.  Build a good team of people with varied skills and always have integrity.   If you do something outstanding make sure everyone hears about it, but if you make a mistake and get something wrong you also need to take responsibility for it and to be transparent about what has happened.

Don’t give up!   When people say you can’t do it and it is impossible, prove them wrong.  We need to start believing in ourselves.

Expect the best from women.   They will be loyal, hard working and supportive.   They often are less competitive than men but never doubt that they will do whatever it takes to succeed.   Women and men, working together, have the perfect basket of skills to make things work.  Above all women want to be treated as equals.   You underestimate women at your own risk.   We may deal with challenges in a different way but our strategy is different while just as effective.

Self-belief is key.  Sometimes the right thing to do is to confront the discrimination.  However that often leads to denial.  Re-affirming your skills and your position is important.  Carrots often are more effective than sticks.  In the end, if the discrimination is serious and more subtle strategies have failed, there are laws to protect you.  Use them if you need to.

Best decision ever.   I have not regretted my choice of career.   It has led to some of the most amazing times in my life and I have been so blessed.   Helping others is a great privilege and one I wouldn’t have missed for the world.

The benefits are:

–      When you realise that you are being treated with the same respect as male counterparts, particularly by male counterparts.

–      The joy of doing a great job and knowing that no-one could have done it better

–      The opportunity to work alongside male and female leaders and share best practice

–      Proving that you are equal to, or even better than male leaders, but not needing to shout about it.   The moment when you show that you have nothing left to prove is a wonderful one.

So what of the thousands that struggle daily to achieve the balance of home and work, whilst always being mindful of the need for equality? After all, if you believe pop culture “This is a man’s world”. How does that woman contribute to the struggle and offer her voice to the female collective who challenge every day to thrive, proving “Sisters are doing it for themselves”?

Take Jo, a busy divorced mum of two, she has a demanding sales job that often means she is on teams calls most of the day, whilst still running a house and providing for her children. Add in the pandemic and home schooling and suddenly Jo has more plates spinning usual.

When you also consider all the other responsibilities that are inherently considered by society to be the domain of women, looking after elder relatives say or dealing with a poorly child, then the chance of having time to contribute to the goal of equality can be even tougher.

But does Jo stop striving for equality? I think not. The pressures of life are always there, and some are lucky to have support, wealth or both to assist with the daily slog. Even the bro pair has his uses. But equality comes from taking a stance and leading where you can, not every woman will have the opportunity to lead a political party, but we can all be leaders.

Whether it’s taking a stance at work, supporting a female colleague or challenging the support the school can offer her child with a disability on a zoom call, Jo always looks for the opportunity to promote equality, empathy and fairness.

As Kofi Annan, Past Secretary General of the UN, said on International Women’s Day in March 2003 “When women thrive all society benefits.” I couldn’t have put it better myself, although at that point there wasn’t a pandemic…… and we hadn’t all run out of eggs…..

Don’t assume a female gets a job based on filling a quota! Everyone works hard for any role but to suggest that someone only got a job because they are a woman is honestly the most upsetting thing. Like I said before especially when you’ve worked so hard to get where you are.

I’m not afraid to say what I think. I say it how it is which can sometimes get me in trouble but I’ve found many people respect my honesty and the fact I don’t shy away from a situation.

Absolutely! I love what I do and I couldn’t see myself doing anything different.

Chief Executive Officer at Staffordshire Women’s Aid

I have been working in this role for about 20 years now.

I started as a Help Line volunteer at Staffs Women’s Aid while I was teaching at Staffs Uni. When a job came up, I decided to change my career path. I wanted to be on the front line, making a difference to the lives of women and children, putting my feminist values into practice. It wasn’t really a decision in the strict sense – to be honest, sometimes fate brings you to something in ways you never expected. When I started as a volunteer I imagined I would give one evening a week. Once I started, the cause and the need for the work got under my skin. It was almost like fate. I have never looked back from that turn of fate.

Staffordshire Women’s Aid is a women centred organisation, and was set up by women for women, so I actually work in a predominantly women-centred world, espousing women’s leadership. We often have survivors of violence against women and girls working in the organisation. As a survivor myself, I am proud to be able to lead a women’s organisation.

Most certainly, and for most of my life. I had a loving, safe life growing up, but I was always conscious that boys had opportunities I didn’t. I work with lots of agencies such as the Police, social services and councils, and many of the men I work with are strong partners in our work, understanding what we are doing and supporting it. But there is still a level of sexism out there. Women are treated differently, and they have to work very hard to be taken seriously. I think one of the things that I find so unjust in my work is the way that women get judged so harshly. Men are never judged in the same way.

Be proud of being a woman. We face challenges in our lives that men don’t and it makes us strong and resilient.

Be aware of male privilege, and always check that you aren’t using or abusing it. Women can be your allies.

I pick my battles carefully. Women have to. I have on a couple of occasions complained about harassment by a man in a professional role. It was really hard to do, but it made a difference.

I have never questioned it. It has given me so much confidence and self belief. I love my work.

As stated earlier, I am unusually a CEO in a predominantly female environment. However, I feel women have qualities to bring to all spheres of leadership.

I work for Staffordshire Fire and Rescue service as a Crew Manager at Cannock fire station on Green watch.

I joined the service on the 1^st June 2006

I was not very academic at school as I suffer from Dyslexia so I have always picked jobs where my practical skills would be more use to me

Most of careers I did before the fire service where more male dominated; for eg. I was a long distance lorry driver for a number of years and I also worked of a funeral company driving their horse drawn hearse; so to me I didn’t see any difference.

The only times I have been treated different in the fire service is when it has helped in an operational environment with certain situation when other woman find it easier to deal with me.

I would just say to treat women as professionals and equal to their male colleagues giving them the same opportunities.

Staffordshire fire service has all the correct legal policies and procedures to follow where discrimination are concerned, but over the years the service has worked hard to change the culture within whole workforce.

I am very glad I chose this career, as I always look forward to starting my shift, I’m happy fulfilled and feel that I make a difference to the community that I serve.

We work well as a watch – becoming strong in all area’s giving us better skills to perform on the fire ground and other environments. We also have become close in our family lives.

Councillor – Cannock Chase District Councillor (Group Leader)

3 years

Involved in lots of different groups and events within the local community so it felt like the next natural step – I love my hometown and wanted see positive change.

Yes, initially. To begin with I was one of very few females and it was clear fellow male colleagues were uncomfortable with that.

Yes, in my very first council meeting one of the older male councillors in the Chamber sniggered and referred to me as ‘the young lass’. He inferred that I was inexperienced and not qualified to offer my opinion.

It gets easier – those first few experiences are the hardest. Just be yourself, have confidence and you will earn respect.

Listen and get to know female colleagues – they are working alongside for a reason. Take time to understand them and they way they work – everyone offers different, unique perspective.

Remain polite and professional – nothing frustrates the perpetrators more.

Yes, 100%. I love it more with each day. I feel truly honoured.

It shows that times are changing – the best is yet to come!

MP for Cannock Chase, Co-Chairman of the Conservative Party, Minister without Portfolio

I have been the MP for Cannock Chase since 2015 and I was appointed as Co-Chairman of the Conservatives and Member without Portfolio in February 2020.

I have always been interested in politics, and have been an active campaigner for the Conservative Party since an early age. I have risen up through the grassroots of the party – first as a party member, then to activist, councillor, MP and now Cabinet Minister.

The Conservative Party’s core values have always been in my blood. After a career in market research and my involvement in local politics, I decided I wanted to influence policy. I was honoured to be selected as the Conservative Parliamentary candidate for Cannock Chase for the 2015 General Election, and go on to be elected as the MP.

When I left school there were 60 female MPs (out of 650 MPs).  Whilst Parliament has historically been predominantly a ‘man’s world’ it has changed significantly.  I was inspired into politics by our first female Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, who demonstrated that women can not only be MPs but also the Prime Minister.

With hard work, determination and a positive attitude I’ve achieved a long held ambition, to be an MP.  I hope my own story can demonstrate to others, that if you have a goal and put your mind to it – you can do it.

Everyone faces obstacles along the way.  But for me it’s about seeing these as a challenge and working out how to overcome them.

The best way to show people you’re up to the task is by putting in the time and the work and demonstrating you’re the best person for the job.

Go for it! Get involved, work hard, get the experience you need and find the right role for you. There’s a role for everyone in our Party, and you never know where you’re going to end up! Every position I have held in the Party has given me valuable insight for the role I have now, but it all started with delivering my first leaflet.

There’s no such word as ‘can’t’ – there is always a way to get things done. In my political career, and now in my role as Co-Chairman, I’m motivated by ‘Can Do, Will Do, Want To’.

Treat them equally. This country has had two female prime ministers – there are no limits to what a woman can do and they should not be treated any differently.

I’ve overcome discrimination by doing.

Doing the work and doing it well to show that I am just as capable as anyone to do the job.

We need to follow the examples set by people who have fought discrimination and paved the way for so many of us.  It may be tough, but it is possible. It’s by society working together to fight the challenges that we will make our country and our workplaces even better.

Being elected as the MP for Cannock Chase was one of the proudest moments of my life – especially because I grew up in Staffordshire and so the local area is very important to me.

Having been a party activist for so many years I was honoured to be appointed by the Prime Minister to be Co-Chairman of the Conservative Party.

My work is very varied and no one day is the same. I find my job very rewarding – whether I am assisting constituents with casework, meeting local business owners or working on our strategy to win as many seats as possible for the Conservative Party in the upcoming local elections.

During my time as Co-Chairman, I have made it my personal mission to improve gender equality and diversity in the Party.

The biggest benefit of working in a traditionally male environment is you’re part of the change to make Parliament more reflective of the country we all live in.                           Although Parliament has been seen as a traditionally male environment, the number of female MPs is rising each election.  By being in Parliament and showing women what is possible we can help to get even more involved.                                                                  The 2019 General Election returned the highest number of female MPs ever recorded: 220 (34%) of 650 MPs are women, but I want to see more. It is only as a party diverse in our backgrounds and experience, and united in our principles and duty to serve, that the Conservative Party can continue to represent the whole United Kingdom.                                          I recently launched the #AskHerToStand campaign asking women to stand as Conservative candidates for political office – whether that be as a parish councillor or as an MP.                  Since the launch, hundreds of women have put themselves forward which is absolutely fantastic.                                                                                                                                     It is so important that women are putting themselves forward for public office otherwise we are only seeing 50% of the best talent.

I hold a public office position in Staffordshire.

A number of years

It wasn’t an intended choice, but once I had made the decision it was based on the portfolio of work, all subjects I am passionate about.

I never anticipated it to be difficult, having been in business one way or another all my working life. But it turned out to be!

I would need lots of space to write how differently I have been treated, but can give a brief summary:

Misogyny

Sexual discrimination

Being undermined

Bullying

Degrading and offensive words

Resilience coupled with thick skin!!! The ability to ‘speak up’ to get your voice heard. To be determined and retain your authenticity. Most importantly, to believe in yourself and the abilities you have. (Sadly) be aware of whom you trust with your feelings in the workplace. Identify early male sociopaths in the workplace and put in place early coping mechanisms.

Depends on the man. Thankfully the majority are good and fair individuals and respect your skill. Others, feel threatened…..so my advice would be not to feel threatened, embrace your female colleagues, you will certainly get much more out of them.

Support of my family, informal chats to get them to change their behaviour and also formal complaints. Never give up!!

Absolutely….no matter how tough it’s been I’m very proud of my work and achievements to the communities I serve.

The obvious….different perspective and views.