Skip to main content

Women...then and now...

I don't know who did the underlining...not me!
I have  just returned from being the “Master of Ceremonies” should that be “Mistress”? at an International Women’s Day luncheon for the Centenary of International Women's Day.  I am the Patron of the Belmont Business Enterprise Centre which was a co-sponsor for the event. I don’t actually do much as the Patron other than assist at official functions. But I meet amazing people. And today was no exception.
(Photo Julie Williams)
After a Welcome to Country by a local indigenous elder, a practice which is now common in Australia, we heard some inspirational speeches. From women who came to the country as migrants with little or no English and have achieved wonderful things…for themselves and their families; to young women who are choosing paths of international modelling opportunities; or “expressing themselves” in wonderfully artistic ways.

My dear friend, Carol Hanlon, the CEO of the Belmont BEC was last night inducted into the first Western Australian Women’s Hall of Fame. She is a tireless worker for migrant women, establishing courses for them to start their own micro businesses. And not only here in Australia but in the Philippines.

My daughter sent me some time ago this 1955 Good Housekeeping Article…and we had a good laugh over it. But it is a timely reminder of the choices and voices which she and I have in  2011. And while we can endeavour to keep the momentum for equality and opportunity for women in our lucky country, in so many countries around the world, women have no choice and certainly no voice. They need our help.
Labels:

Comments

  1. DamienMarch 8, 2011 at 8:58 PM

    I've utterly enjoyed the "good wife's guide". Here in my country the salaries disparities between men and women for the same job and qualification is still an issue, especially but non only in the private sector. What about in your country?

    ReplyDelete
  2. LouiseMarch 9, 2011 at 7:29 AM

    It is very similar. Figures published yesterday showed a 17% average wage difference but in my state it was 25.6%!! So, still a long way to go in the equality stakes. Thanks so much for your comment

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Villefranche-sur-Mer...a ville and its food....

Villefranche...the restaurant strip beside the water (Photo LP 2013) After four weeks in Villefranche-sur-Mer,France, I have settled in and feel a little like a local.  My regular contact with the people in the little boulangerie, the nearby small supermarket, the butcher,  the Tabac and the small shops I pass each day on my way to and from  Institut de Français  has resulted in a familiarity which I would not have expected.  The regular " bonjour, ça va?" as I pass, or when I visit the market each Saturday morning, has made me feel at home.  When I have mentioned  that I am a student at the Institut the local people immediately smile and encourage me to speak in French, which was awkward in the beginning but as I have improved my confidence and my ability to speak in their language, these "locals" have encouraged me with their compliments, week by week. I am going to miss each and every one of them when I leave. My first meal inVil...
4 comments
Read more

Bare Breasts, Betel Nut, Weetbix... and Yapese Manners

(Artist: Tommy Tamangmed. http://www.yapeseart.com/) And so, yes, I have returned. The time came for me to leave the “remote” islands of Yap in the Federated States of Micronesia and the tiny nation of Palau and return to western “civilisation”. It has taken a few weeks to readjust to the pace of “modern” life having experienced the tranquillity of living in a mobile phone/ television free environment. The concession of extremely slow and eventful internet connection seemed incongruous in these places of ancient yet vitally living culture. My spirit is uplifted and my sense of pride in the human ability to share kindness and show good manners has been restored. Arriving in Yap in the early hours of the morning was exhausting. A tiny airport, tired passengers, equally tired immigration officials but then the first of many Yapese warm and ready smiles in the arrival hall as I was given a beautiful lei by a young girl wearing only a lava lava and a wreath of flowers artfully draped a...
2 comments
Read more

Bali…Bogans, Tattoos and the Ugly Australian…

Balinese temple (photo LP 2010) I have returned in the past few days from a holiday in Bali, Indonesia, with my sister.  Unlike my trip in 2010 when I stayed more remotely in the north west at Pemuteran  and  the north east at Amed, this visit was to a five star resort in Legian. What a difference!  The streets of Legian were very busy, the locals almost outnumbered by the Australian tourists.  I heard very few languages other than “Aussie” spoken and it reminded me that when I travelled with my French boyfriend to the northern part of Bali, I was told by the Europeans I met that they tended to avoid the tourist hubs of Kuta, Legian and Seminyak because of the loud, rude and crude Australians…yes a generalisation about the Aussies, but unfortunately, as I was to learn, a correct one. A friendly local trying to sell us a toy (photo LP 2012) It is difficult to write this post without appearing a “snob”.  But having canvassed my ideas wit...
15 comments
Read more