The City celebrates #InternationalWomensDay

Today is #InternationalWomensDay, a global celebration to recognise the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of the women around us.

The theme of this year's campaign is #EmbraceEquity which aims to help raise awareness about discrimination and the critical need to understand the difference between equity and equality.

To show your support for the campaign, we're being encouraged to #EmbraceEquity within our own sphere of influence. We can all challenge gender stereotypes, call out discrimination, draw attention to bias, and seek out inclusion. 

We're celebrating the hard-working women in our organisation and commending them for all their achievements.

Meet some of the incredible women working in our city who are an inspiration to those around them.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

Women supporting and celebrating other women.

Name a woman who inspires you and why? 

This is where I insert the name of a famous environmental activist, but it’s hard to name one. Day to day, I draw a lot of inspiration from the fabulous network of women in my life; friends, sisters, mum and aunties.

If you could give your younger self some advice, what would it be?

I would tell myself to travel more, but I wouldn’t have listened to any advice! All those good times and bad decisions got me to where I am today.

Do you have any career advice for other women in the organisation?

Do something that makes you happy (and pays the bills). There’s so much opportunity now. Take the leap, and then make it up as you go.

What has your biggest achievement been here in the city?

I get to achieve so much all the time, and that is because I have a great team to work with. I am happy at work, and that in itself is my biggest achievement.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

A global day that celebrates and nurtures women’s achievements but also continues to advocate for gender parity and inclusivity whether it be in the workplace, the boardroom, on the sporting field or in the political arena.  Even in 2023 this is still needed—for instance, according to the Public Sector Commission 2021 report, WA local government senior female leadership representation still only sits at 15.8%. We still have a long way to go.

Name a woman who inspires you and why? 

My great grandmother Annie Frances Ledger (nee Sumner) had 9 children, 8 of whom lived through infancy, raising them in a hot, remote, and possibly fairly basic small town in the late 1800s/early 1900s without air conditioning!  Life would have been pretty tough back then.  Interestingly they got married (in 1895 or 128 years ago) at St Johns church in Fremantle.

If you could give your younger self some advice, what would it be?

Have the confidence to take the big career steps earlier and get yourself a mentor. I regret that I never really did this.

Do you have any career advice for other women in the organisation?

I say this to everyone who will listen—tenacity and patience are the key to success in local government.

What has your biggest achievement been here in the city?

Probably two things really stand out.

1. Establishing the Library Connect program which we initiated some 2 years ago and continues today to help, advocate and support vulnerable people in the community. We’ve helped over 1000 people to date and a significant amount of these people needing help are women trying to escape family domestic violence and/or financial hardship, so it seems very appropriate that this is front of mind on this day.

2. Getting the Fremantle Leisure Centre pool roof replaced!! It looks fabulous, is so much safer, and has been really well received by the community.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

A need for change. We have a day to celebrate, but also recognise that there are so many inequalities that need action. To me, it’s also about visibility and helping everyone call out inequality wherever it is present.

Name a woman who inspires you and why? 

Dr Chelsea Watego—Munanjahli and South Sea Islander woman, writer and academic. Her book “Another Day In The Colony” is a stirring and important read. I’ve been a fan of Chelsea since her radio show “Wild Black Women” with Angelina Hurley on 98.9FM in QLD. She’s intelligent, witty, pretty powerful and funny.

If you could give your younger self some advice, what would it be?

Be curious. Be weird and continue to dream and invest your time in activities that make you YOU. Also…don’t waste your time trying to straighten your hair, it’ll never be flat or straight.

Do you have any career advice for other women in the organisation?

Think, create and lead in unconventional ways.

What has your biggest achievement been here in the city?

Projects that activate, engage and collaborate with the wider community. Projects like Sunset Pitches—enabled us to bring vocal groups like Della Mob and The Holy Smoke together to sing in the Sunset at WA Maritime Museum. Mantle Music—records some of Freos best singer-songwriters including a number of WA Music Award winners/ ARIA award-winning artists are recorded in the homes of locals or in iconic places around Fremantle. This includes—Grace Barbe, Lucy Peach, WA Badass Gospel Choir, Franks Fish Tank, Helen Townsend so many more.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

I think it's a great opportunity to reflect on progression and what is next for women. It’s about not forgetting the woman's rights movement and how that has affected us today.

Name a woman who inspires you and why? 

I would say my little sister. She is a very motivational woman that cares for so much. From graduating and educating her gymnastics team while transitioning to her new sports science job. She is dedicated while always having a kind nature to whatever she takes on. I learn a lot from her (though I do not like to admit it).

If you could give your younger self some advice, what would it be?

Enjoy the present and don’t second guess your gut instinct, it’s there for a reason. 

Do you have any career advice for other women in the organisation?

I still feel like I have more growing to do in that area myself. Lean into the people that help guide you, appreciate the patience people provide, and take small things from different areas. I have learned so much at Freo, from departments across the board. Appreciation and kindness go a long way in just about all roles I’ve seen.

What has your biggest achievement been here in the City?

I think just getting to help the community really makes me appreciate my role here. 

When a resident feels like they are getting heard I think that feels like a big achievement to myself. Or when they feel fully educated on what is occurring, why and how the council goes it about it. I feel that is an achievement that they feel confident about what they are carrying out.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

A day to honour all the women around the world and the feminine energy in the world.

Name a woman who inspires you and why? 

Winifred Wells was a 22-year-old in 1950 when she rode her Royal Enfield motorbike alone across the unpaved and untraveled Nullarbor plains to attend a party in Sydney then turn around and come back to Perth. Or Grandma Gatewood a 67-year-old who went for a “walk” alone and completed the first thru-hikes and over 23,000km of hiking trails in her life with a homemade bag and a shower curtain rain poncho in 1954.

If you could give your younger self some advice, what would it be?

Probably advice I should still listen to, ask for help and be open to learning, or something more practical like; if you write the date opened on containers, your fridge won’t be a science experiment.  

Do you have any career advice for other women in the organisation?

I am the last person that should be offering career advice. But I am willing to read what the others say and take it onboard.

What has your biggest achievement been here in the City?

I started as Containers for Change was implemented into the state, so it has been great to watch our refund point grow, we have a great crew on the floor who make it fun and productive. We have paid out over $100,000 into community groups and charities in that time so it's great to see how much can come from a few containers here or there.

Visit the International Women's Day page for more information.