Yes, we do!
Every year at least 4 people will say what about men… International Men’s day is the 19 November each year so please don’t feel left out!
International Women’s Day to me…
Is an opportunity to listen, speak out, gain information and support. Here are some pointers why women still need this day…
”I am clearly not an object please don’t treat me like one
I am a human and therefore I am no different from you
And I don’t need you to carry my books to a lesson because in your eyes girls are weak I am more than capable to do a certain task
I am a girl clothed with strength and dignity and laughs without fear for the future
I am a girl”
Excerpt from poem by Lucy age 12 from Redcar Girl kind NE
So, women, this is my rallying cry… Be the difference! We need to keep marching!
If you are still doubting that women need this day, here are some examples I heard whilst researching this topic from local women…
”I was told when I went for job in RAF the interviewer said you could be a driver as there was no point hiring women as no sooner were they trained they would have babies, went and took my own private flying lessons”
”I was told I was ‘drumming up outrage’ and pretty much accused of making up a story when I tried to draw attention to women being victim blamed following a rape”
”I was told in response to a typo I made: “This is what happens when silly little girls are employed. They are more interested in getting to the nail bars after work, as a result we see sloppy work.”
”I was told, that girls don’t play cricket. The school I went to divided sports along gender lines. Girls had to play netball, hockey and do gymnastics. Boys played cricket, rugby and football. But I LOVED cricket. I had grown up watching it with my Dad and I really wanted to play. But no – girls didn’t play cricket. When I went back to University in my mid-20s to do a Masters and a PhD, a Women’s cricket team had just started up and so I joined. Within 3 years I was the University’s Women’s Cricket Club President. ”
So International Women’s Day 2021 “Think equal, build smart, innovate for change”
➡️ Image: Strong image drawn by Laura #InternationalDayOfTheGirl … For an exhibition called “A girls frame of mind” for #girlkindNE
Week 8… PARTY “One hour a week just to reflect, One hour a week to know your own worth, One hour a week to be honest and real, To be vulnerable and admit that the struggle is real, To know that you’ve got this and you’ll handle it and you have the strength, To be […]
Wow, I can’t believe we’ve finished week 7 of the Assist Her course. Next week, will sadly be the end of this amazing course. Let’s hope we can get more funding so we can do it again, as it has clearly impacted the women who have taken part. You can see this by some of […]
Week 6 – Very close to the heart of the ethos of Assist – Who is your tribe? “No man is an island” “No woman can go it alone “. This is why brave, safe spaces like Assist matter. Assist surrounds women with a tribe of supportive, like-minded women. who cheer you, celebrate your victories […]
Having struggled for a while to find a womens network in Teesside, i stumbled across of the Assist events by chance. How happy i am that i did. Ann and the team make the networking fun and relevant, informative and comfortable. I've made several really good business connections, but mostly i've met some great women who i know i could turn to for advice, or even just to meet for a coffee. We all face the same issues within business and personally and the Assist meet's allow collaboration, suggestion, support and smiles. Thank you Assist x
Katie Kendall – Hays Recruitment
Manager
ASSIST is just the most wonderful organisation. Filled with decent, powerful, creative, useful, intelligent and interesting people. And, the networking meetings smell so much better than normal ones :)
Jackie Dack of TEAL
Personal Performance Coach
I found Assist through a love of books and a desire for personal development but what I discovered was so much more. Whatever you come to Assist for it will benefit all aspects of your life; personal, professional and community. It is positive action for women on Teesside to support and empower each other and most importantly, to thrive. Why would you not want to be a part of this?
Hayley Mclean – Anderson Barrowcliff LLP
Audit Manager
Assist is a great place to meet, connect and collaborate with businesswomen from across the Tees Valley. It's welcoming and informal atmosphere for networking, combined with the diverse range of business topics it addresses on behalf of its members is both interesting and informative. This winning combination means i learn something new each time i attend and its why i keep coming back.
Carol Kerr
Business Consultant