| Baroness Helena Kennedy QC & Dr Elizabeth Gordon |
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| Chelsea Pensioners |
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| English Womens Cricket Team |
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| Vanessa Williams Group |
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| Baroness Prosser & Baroness Sharp |
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Welcome to New Readers
Change of year, and change of gear: Spring coming in Australia, and a fair amount of rain, should help this year, though after last February, no one is looking forward to the bushfire season. It was great that ANZ hosted a bushfire benefit for Australians in London, so we all felt involved and able to contribute. They also held a silent auction to raise money for those who suffered under the fires. I am always reminded by a friend of mine, a Hungarian refugee, who set up a garage, landscape gardening, jewellery, and said when I leave my country, what I have is what I can do with my hands. That's the luggage and possessions I carry with me. Refugees and immigrants are having a hard time at the moment. Xenophobia on the increase, yet they have so much to contribute.  |
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| Young Musicians
In London the autumn colours are stunning and an Indian summer is being enjoyed by all, even if the Noam Chomsky lecture at LSE was over subscribed. The music continues and the stimulating lectures, debates and discussions, including how the Royal Institution is going to increase its membership. Watch this space: Southbank Sinfonia will be starting up rush hours concerts from 26th! Rush Hour concerts at 6pm, St. John's Waterloo. Free and a glass of wine. Really exciting to watch young musicians grow and develop. I was invited to a Yvonne Kenny master class at Australia House, to hear Laurence Meikle sing the count's aria from Figaro. The most exciting development in his career, is that he has been picked up by the Kiri te Kanawa foundation and to Germany with her, that's besides all the other prizes and awards. Its really exciting to see how his career develops. I was also invited to Goodenough College to see the students performing, Fleidermaus byantipodean musicians, but unfortunately I missed Fei's concert at St. James. There will be another time. There does see to be quite a lot going on in London. |
| A Correction About The Power List 2009
And a correction: I mistakenly said that Michael Eboda worked for The Voice, which is where I found an article by him. Michael Eboda has established his own company, Powerful Media, which is responsible for publishing the Powerlist 2010 of Britain's Most Influential Black People.
This year's edition was published on the 28th of September and No. 10 Downing Street (Gordon and Sarah Brown) hosted a reception in honour of those on the list (and in conjunction with Black History Month) on Wednesday 14th of October 2009. The list this year was not broken down into gender.
Thanks to Funkazi Koroye-Crooks for this correction. A member of the different women in the city.
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Lindsay Scott: Only Connecting with CEO of Matrix Chambers
This month's woman is particularly impressive and interesting. Firstly because her business life is at the cutting edge, embracing and leading change, but also because as a wife and mother of 4 children she seems to have some of the answers to success and work/life balance. At first sight Lindsay Scott does not look like a lawyer or solicitor, let alone head of one of the most prestigious chambers, which includes Cherie Booth, and Conor Gearty, previous Head of Human Rights at LSE. A chambers which takes seriously, both issues of diversity and human rights. She has flyaway hair, and is quick to laugh, very unlike the serious countenance, the conventional image expected of a CEO. She was head hunted to be CEO at Matrix chambers, Formerly a practising solicitor, she has also been MD of both QDOS legal consultants and also Informa plc, a FTSE 100 Media and telecommunications group.
What was the worst event in your career?
I arrested the wrong ship. I was a trainee, very junior, my partner screamed so loud across 700 people, that I was so scared I locked myself in the courts all day.
What was your best moment?
In the early years I used to do lot so of advocacy, sometimes instructing solicitor, but often taking it through as advocate, so winning my first case was the best event. I don't even remember what it was, but that was a real high.
The most surprising event in your career?
I ran my own business, but over my head it was sold to a big American company who pulled the plug on the funding. So I was suddenly between jobs, just at the point when my mother had cancer. That meant I was freed and it was surprisingly fantastic to do. It made me a much more rounded person because of other people's frailty. It makes you understand what carers go through.
When did you first realise that women get different treatment?
The first time I was aware that women were treated differently was at school in Northern Ireland for A levels. I was aware that the girls had to prove themselves more than the boys. At sporting events, the first girls hockey, there was a clear contrast in level of support and quality of equipment, compared to the boys.
"But I'm a feminist, I'm not a rampaging feminist, and I do believe that I've made it possible for the women behind me."
How would you see the balance of power in the judiciary?
Well, I'm not sure that I can comment on that as I don't see barristers in court, but I'm aware that the judiciary is predominantly white upper-middle class male. They are making legal decisions. He's making law. It can be challenged, through the court of appeal, the House of Lords, even Europe, But its the white upper-middle class male who still makes the law. The Ministry of Justice and the Government are trying to change that. But I can't comment from my own knowledge about in the court. However, inequality is still hard for women, and for ethnic minorities, and others. For me the greatest inequality is unequal pay for equal work.
Click here to read more of this interview.
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Women Of The Year Colours: Sunflowers and Women In Uniform
Although the nights draw in, we ladies who lunch still have plenty to do. This newssheet has to be a celebration of WOYL 2009, (Women of the Year Lunch), held at the Intercontinental Hotel Marble Arch. A supporter of the medical foundation with the founder Dr Elizabeth Gordon (right), better known as Baroness Helena Kennedy QC, who I am hoping to be interviewing soon. In the background, Joan Armatrading, who is to step down from the position as President. As, sadly, is Sandy Toksvig who gives up her role as Compeer. We hope that both will continue to attend the lunches and be involved.
Funny how once you set an intent things start to happen. I've started to mention to people that I'm looking for women pilots, and was delighted to see a woman entering the flight deck on one of my flights to Australia. Qantas have 66 women pilots, out of 2700 pilots, but they are fully responsible for take-off and flying, and Qantas is aware of the need to encourage more women. I'm hoping to interview her soon.
WOYL was a colourful occasion, the first two women Chelsea Pensioners who, as the only 2 women, are being spoilt rotten by the men. They asked for the photo to be sent to the Orderly Room, but when I asked if they were orderly, they said they worked on being disruptive. Perhaps the first woman yeoman needed another woman for support, what a shame.
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Exciting Women in the West End
Really too many exciting women to mention. Great to see the women's cricket team and the Wrens all in uniform. Lots of sunflowers, the real Calendar girls and also the actresses currently playing them in the West End.
Bonnie Greer's play about the relatively unknown friendship between Marilyn Monroe and Ella Fitzgerald will be running, in a revised version, at The Apollo Theatre Shaftesbury Avenue for 5 performances only on the following Sundays:
- 15th November at 7.30
- 22nd November at 3.30 and 7.30
- 29th November at 3.30 and 7.30
This follows a successful run at Theatre Royal Stratford East (2008) and a sell-out showat the Edinburgh Festival (2006). The new revised version at The Apollo combines the best of each script! "Marilyn & Ella" started life as a Radio 4 Friday Play in December 2005. More details can be found on www.marilynandella.com. Spread the word!
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Women Do It Differently
This photo of the group hosted by Vanessa Williams, a partner at Braithwaite and Wells in the city; one of the top corporate lawyers who are women, with all the challenges that entails. One of my chapter headings, Women in the City, has been fascinating to research. My seminars on Women Do It Differently, at the City Business Library, went well and it is interesting to see how, in these uncertain times, more women are becoming entrepreneurs and starting their own business. Of course there may be various reasons for that, but it seems that women are more cautious with cash flow and likely to be more realistic in researching their market.
Interesting things happening in both Norway - 44% of women on boards, the legislation made it happen; and Iceland - a complete change in government, to see if the women can make a better fist of running things.
Harriet Harman is constantly pushing at Equality Legislation, to great ribaldry and insults from the Press. The general view, especially in the media, is that in these credit crunch times, now is not the time to encourage working women or equal pay. Echoes of the suffragettes giving up the struggle when the men came back from war, and needed the jobs the women had stepped in. Plus Ca Change. Back to top |
BFWG At The House Of Lords
The BFWG session at the House of Lords also provided food for thought, not least that the Equal Pay Act was passed in 1968, but has yet to be fully implemented. "Flexible Skills for Uncertain Times" - interesting seminar at the House of Lords.
It seems that the debates in the Lords are more civilised. Really interesting to have a seminar with cross party concerns and commitment. Baroness Prosser speaking, Jenny Morley BFWG and Baroness Sharp.
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As ever, go well in the world, and remember that you are wonderful, wise and worldly.
It has been an amazing month of celebrating womens' achievements. You, too, are amazing. Use those talents. I will have more talks coming up. If you'd like to forward this to a colleague or friends who may be interested, please use the box below.
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Christina
Woman on a Mission
Diversity and Leadership Consultant
Inspirational Speaker
Alumnus Women of the Year 2008/2009 © christina@christrainers.com
Motivational Speaker
NLP Master Practitioner
Counsellor and Coach
London +44 (0) 208 653 7893
Melbourne +00 61 3 9563 0028
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