Although times are changing, there is still a lot of inequality in the workforce, with women being paid considerably less than their counterparts.
Our speaker, Kirsten Patterson, spoke to us about who she was and the inequality that is still very much rampant in the world today.
As a club, we are lucky to be able to listen to some fantastic speakers through out the year. In March, our meeting night fell on International Women’s Day and we were priveliged to have Kirsten Patterson speak to us. Kirsten has been an influential leader right the age of 5 years old when she was sent home from school... on her very first day. Not one to sit back, Kirsten arrived at school and informed her fellow classmates that they should all head home, as technically they did not need to start at school until they were 6 years old, not 5!
Kirsten was born a year after the Equal Pay Act was bought in. Today, Kirsten is still fighting for the cause, as are millions of other women worldwide. Recently Kirsten was announced as one of the top 10 women of influence in business in Governance at the end of last year and the comments section had to be shut down because of the comments made. Surely in this day and age, it shouldn't be separated into women influencers, but an open one where women are holding their own? Kirsten said it best when she commented "I should have been born into a New Zealand where being a female CEO did not make me a novelty, and where female leadership was visible, valued and frankly so common it was just a tad boring."
Still the fight for equality rages, and this year it seems to have taken hold with the slogan 'press for progress.' With so many changes happening recently, is it any wonder that so many women are standing up and saying 'no more!' Worldwide women (and men too) are standing up and demanding to be heard. The new US president, the Harvey Weinstein scandal, feminism being them most searched word of the year, senior resignations at board and CEO level are coming thick and fast. People have had enough and are saying NO MORE. New Zealand has not been immune with law firms and universities being embroiled in serious allegations involving students.
Kirsten went on to talk about the myths around gender equality and one that stood out was the lack of negotiation for salaries with women. Twice as many men would negotiate their starting salary for their first jobs. Kirstens example was at a job interview, where the men interviewed flatly refused what they were offered and instead countered with larger salaries. One of the women interviewed was happy with what she was offered and another made comment of working for less.
Is this acceptable? Is this how we see our daughters, granddaughters and nieces being treated equally in the workforce?
"Maia, tika pono - courage and integrity. The standard you walk past is the standard you accept."
We were so lucky to have Kirsten with us for the evening and I for one was astounded at the facts she sent our way. It has certainly opened my eyes and flamed my fire to ensure that my daughters have a more promising future ahead of them.