International Women's Day 2021 #GenerationEquality

March 8th is International Women's Day and in 2021, the theme is #GenerationEquality. 

Equality is an important topic for us at IR Department. We work hard to be fair and equal across genders and races, in finding opportunities for our people and striving to win share of voice for our clients, who are often smaller fish, swimming in a sea of salmon and sharks.

Our women have worked on drill rigs in the desert, been commodities traders, supported world-leading sporting teams and held big roles in bulge bracket banks. We've sold companies, we've made news, we've parented humans and pets. We're a strong and determined bunch, and this day represents a rare opportunity to celebrate ourselves.

On this #IWD2021, a few of our own brilliant women take a moment to share a quote from another woman who has inspired them. We hope you enjoy the collection!

 

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Jane Lowe - our Managing Director

In this role, I work with many more men than women. While I've worked with some sharp female communicators, I’ve learnt that men are regularly more direct with their feedback than women. Sometimes that can hurt, but it’s important to step back from the initial emotional response and see through to the real message. Hillary Clinton encapsulated this well when she said:

“Take criticism seriously, but not personally. If there is truth or merit in the criticism, try to learn from it. Otherwise, let it roll right off you.”

You can take the same advice into all areas of life – work, social life, study and of course, parenting, where there is no end of “advice” from third parties! 

Happy International Women's day to all the wonderful women in my life - and to the men who are often their biggest advocates!

 

 

Cherie Hartley - Communications Director

'The notorious R.B.G.' has been a huge inspiration for women around the world for many decades, including myself.

She had such a huge impact on the fight for gender equality and women’s rights, and the mark she made was never more evident than when she passed away last year and there was a mass outpouring of tributes from both women and men around the globe.

Social media blew up with stories about her tenacity and her unwavering commitment to the fight for equality throughout her career.

 

Lauren Byrne - Junior Account Executive

Frida is an inspiration to me because, as a woman and an artist, she broke a lot of barriers.

Not only is she an icon because she defied society's beauty standards, but she also gave us a lesson in resilience after her accident where she was badly injured and couldn’t walk for a year and had over 30 operations throughout her life. However this did not stop her from pursuing her dream of painting and participating in social and political activism.

Frida Khalo is an inspiration to the disabled, women of colour and the LBTQ+ community by being all of these things and so much more.

 

Juliana Roadley - Account Director

There are mixed views on the power of International Womens Day: like Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, and Valentine’s Day, people sometimes ask “why just celebrate on one day?”

But for me, it is an important day – it’s a day to recognise and reflect on the women who have influenced and supported you during your life.

I look back at my time in secondary school when teachers promoted the power of positive women, and at the time, we all giggled and thought our teachers were crazy feminists or man-hating nuns.

But I do I remember the stories of the rise of the women’s movement, the focus on scientific breakthroughs by women, women leaders and thinkers, and these stories and images have stayed with me always. 

Happy International Women’s Day!