After becoming the first woman to win the Melbourne Cup last Tuesday afternoon, jockey Michelle Payne spoke about her preparations the night before: “I gave myself a little bit of time…before I went to sleep to think if I won Melbourne Cup what I would say, and I sort of thought, ‘Don’t be silly’, but it’s nice to be able to dream.”
Hearing this on the day, I thought of the three women in strata who had nominated for SCA (NSW) board positions (strata manager licensed chapter), and who were facing an election that coming Friday. No doubt they too had their ‘don’t be silly’ moment, yet, like Michelle Payne, they summoned the confidence and determination to continue working towards their goal.
At the AGM on Friday, each of these three women stood before the SCA membership and spoke about their dreams for the strata sector. They spoke of building the influence of women and young people, the importance of education, and their “intolerance for nonsense and time wasting” (loved that one, Michele Hemmings!). They spoke eloquently and with passion. They were an absolute credit to their profession and an inspiring example for the many young women in strata who look to them as mentors and leaders.
Reena Van Aalst was elected to the SCA board. Catherine Lezer was also appointed (unopposed) to the strata owner’s chapter. That is two additional women on the NSW board, boosting the number of women on the board to four (Reena and Catherine join the incumbent Deanne Holz and the re-appointed Melissa Truscott).
Four out of eleven aint bad. But nor is it time to rest on our laurels.
U.S Supreme Court Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, is often asked: how many women on the Supreme Court will be “enough”? Her answer: “when there are nine”. “For most of the country’s history, there were nine and they were all men” she says. “Nobody thought that was strange.”
Well, apparently women are winning Melbourne Cups these days. From where I stand, the sky’s the limit for Women in Strata, as long as we’re prepared to “be silly” and dream big.
Congratulations Reena, Catherine, and all of the women who nominated for board positions. Thank you for your example and inspiration.
“Four out of eleven aint bad” my trailblazing daughter says(as she sneakily ignored the squiggly red line that appeared under “aint”)…highlighting the fact that she places a lot more importance on her ground-breaking work as advocate for Women in Strata than she does on her grammar. And that’s OK. I love the fact that I see new names appearing in her blog as the weeks go by indicating that there are more ladies(and gents?) becoming aware of the existence of the group.
Congrats to Reena Van Aalst on her election to the board and also the other ladies involved. I am fortunate to have known Reena personally for many years although our paths do not cross anywhere near often enough. I will be watching with interest as the Women in Strata juggernaut(?) gathers members and momentum as the months go by.
(I wonder if Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg wrote: “Four out of nine AINT bad”?)
Another fantastic and inspirational piece – my suggestions would be – can we have them on Monday – when we start our week? Whilst it is great to reflect after the week that has been – not always easy – but always hectic – I think it would be helpful to hear these things Monday – so we can set out sights and can be challenged to plan to make a difference – asking what can I achieve this week?
What a clever way you have intertwined the momentous outcome of the 2015 Melbourne Cup with the SCA Board nominations and elections!!
Yes, it was a daunting prospect to nominate – and have to present in front of the AGM and existing Directors, but fear of failure never got anyone anywhere. I will be back, as ‘Arnie’ said. Your support and encouragement are absolutely awesome, Amanda. Thank you for quoting one of my lines. Ironically one of my colleagues said to me afterward that I may have intimidated the Board – intimidated by a woman who speaks her mind, isn’t that what they need: honesty and forward-thinking?!! Ha ha.
Well take a bow Karina Heinz! A tiny little paragraph of some 60 words… no doubt hastily tapped out over a 5 minute lull masquerading as a lunch break…and look what you have achieved—the much anticipated Wednesday blog has become the Monday pep talk! And I love your modus operandi: a few well-chosen words of praise to start off with and the rest as they say is a fait accompli. Perhaps I should finish this submission in English!
While there is no way on Earth people who know me would describe me as a “Woman in Strata” I am now becoming somewhat addicted to these weekly blogs and very much look forward to them. This week’s column especially hit home with me as I myself have,from time to time, let that little nagging doubt prevent me from attempting certain things over the years. Things like maybe furthering my education,enrolling in a TAFE or UNI course..that kind of thing. Eventually however I took the plunge and obtained a TAFE certificate enabling me to pass on accumulated knowledge in my industry to my –predominantly–young students,especially in the area of workplace safety.
I am genuinely impressed and inspired by not only the contents of my daughter Amanda’s weekly articles but also now by the growing realisation how many hard-working ladies are out there in the Strata and associated industries.I hope you will feel driven to use these blogs as a means to make your voices heard more and more, whereas before those means may not have been there or not easily accessible.
And now seeing as its only Monday I will have an early night, with Karina Heinz’s words of wisdom circulating in my head:”What can I achieve this week?”