Rotary Hawthorn welcomed members and guests today to the International Women’s’ Day Breakfast. Guest speaker, Susan Campbell, spoke about gender inequality, the role of Guiding and the importance of empowering the world’s women and girls.
Susan is currently President and Board Chair of the Olave Baden-Powell Society, providing financial support to the Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, a global network in 63 countries. She is a member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) Capacity Building Team - Governance.
Photo: Susan with Pam Crockett
Professionally, Susan is an educationalist, a former Primary School Principal, trained mentor and coach. A partner in an international consultancy and works in a Melbourne based consultancy.
Susan believes in the value of volunteer achievements to learn, teach and inspire others.
She has been a volunteer with Girl Guides Australia for more than 40 years, most recently supporting work in the areas of governance, international experience and human resource management.
In 2017, she was awarded the Silver Kangaroo for her significant contribution to World Guiding. Susan is a strong supporter of the work of the five World Centres. Each World Centre located in Switzerland, United Kingdom, Mexico, India and Africa (includes South Africa, Ghana, Rwanda, Kenya, Nigeria, Benin and Madagascar) has been designed and built to provide spaces where girls and young women from all around the globe, may come together in friendship and fellowship with each other. These Centres facilitate programmes for sharing cultural experiences and broaden leadership and life skills.
Susan noted that International Women’s Day provided an opportunity for us all to reflect on the gender equality achievements of the past 55 years.
Since 1967, Australia has had female Governor General, State Governors, a Prime Minister, Federal and State parliamentarians and several State Premiers. Girls can play AFL football like their brothers. Careers and apprenticeships which traditionally excluded women are now more available and Indigenous communities have the right to vote.
However, we still have inequality in many areas - wages, high female participation in senior management and boards and in women’s rights throughout the world.
Susan challenged us to think about our own lives and our “light bulb” moment, a time when we realised that something was not fair and equitable. What were we prevented from doing when we were young - at school, within the family, careers and sport? Are there changes to behaviours and practices where improvement is possible? Any biases? Stereotyping?
Photo: Some IWD Breakfast attendees:Cheryl Pisterman, Kim D'Arcy, Anne Scott, Di Gillies, Katrina Flinn and Kerry Kornhauser.
Susan cited a many personal insights from her own life and attendance at the 2018 Juliette Low Seminar (JLS) held in the Maldives. She spoke of the positive impact on her and the international group of young women attendees. It was Juliette Low, who inspired by Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the Boy Scout movement in the UK, started the Girl Scouts in USA.
Since 1932, the JLS, the flagship program of WAGGGS has provided an inter-cultural, inspirational and international experience. It builds friendships across borders and helps young women step outside of their comfort zones. This event empowers participants with the leadership practices and mindsets they need to succeed.Photo: WAGGGS supports International Women's Day.
Following Susan’s talk, there was a buzz of conversation in the room, many identifying with various points raised. Different life choices sometimes made in the past primarily because of gender, lack of encouragement or opportunity.
‘Light bulb’ moments are often unexpected but may have long lasting benefits.
For more information: World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts - WAGGGS