The 83rd Conference of Soroptimist International of Great Britain and Ireland in Cardiff, provided inspiring speakers, lively entertainment and friendship from across the federation for 1,500 Soroptimists including nine members of SI Canterbury.
The conference, themed ‘Step Up, Lead the Way’, delivered keynote speakers Michael Kaufman (@WhiteRibbon_UK) and Mandy Hickson, (@MandyHickson).
In addition we were treated to inspiring talks, from Rebecca Lewin, Director of Logistics & Procurement at Plan International and Dame Katherine Grainger, one of Britain’s most decorated female Olympians. Discussion sessions and club presentations provided further inspiration and, if that’s not enough, we were entertained by Aaron Pryce-Lewis, the Bristol Military Wives Choir and the Phil Dando Band and Singers at the opening and closing ceremonies.
@WhiteRibbon_UK
Michael Kaufman, co-founder of the White Ribbon Campaign, the largest effort in the world of men working to end violence against women, gave a stimulating presentation, “In Our Lifetimes – Engaging Men for Gender Equality and Ending Men’s Violence”. He described how men’s silence has been a huge problem in gender equality campaign saying that despite progress 8000 years of male dominance means it is taking time to make the transformational changes needed for the future.
Michael was co-founder of the White Ribbon Campaign in 1991 realising that we are bombarded from birth with ideas of what defines gender. He described how, at the birth of his son, the midwife adopted a low tone to her voice saying, “what a strong little fellow”. And so begins gender expectation behaviour.
His presentation included images of male domination in advertising and he said “We must engage men to end gender inequality and violence against women”, “this is a problem for the world’s population not just a problem for half of us…”.
Michael told us he believed men’s violence is often a combination of dominance and the insecurity of not being able to live up to expectations but “feminism is the greatest gift men will ever have – freeing them to be the men they want to be – redefining the world of equality and justice”. Workplaces must be equal, respectful and non-violent. He encouraged men to tweet #CountMeIn and follow men-care.org to learn how to transform their lives and develop empathy.
Mandy Hickson is one of the first female pilots flying frontline Tornado jets for the Royal Air Force. She entitled her presentation, ‘Dream it, Believe it, Do it’ and inspired us with tales from her 17 year career as a fast jet pilot whose office was a Tornado GR4.
Throughout, we were provided with insights into how she attained her goals. Mandy’s story was not all happy-ever-afters but a series of obstacles to be climbed. Visualising goals and being task-oriented enabled her to achieve those. She took chances whilst not being afraid of failure since this can be surmounted through a positive mind-set, creative thinking and being part of a strong team.
Mandy littered her talk with humour and anecdotes: favourites of which were her receiving the nickname ‘Big Bird’ (Sesame Street) instead of her favoured ‘Ice Maiden’, and being caught on camera waving to a Lake District fell-walker from her jet.
Mandy’s life has come full circle, and she’s now taking air-cadets up on flights. Emily could be the next Mandy, but unlike Mandy her self-belief was low and she was terrified of failure. Whether our goals are big, like Mandy/Emily’s, or small, we should stop the doubt, grab the goal, and build from failure.
For more information, blogs and photographs from conference go to: http://www.sigbi.org/cardiff2017
