Invicta Vlogs
Last Friday, I was recently given the amazing opportunity to host the ‘Ms. Empowered’ Breakfast.
Last Friday, I was recently given the amazing opportunity to host the ‘Ms. Empowered’ Breakfast. Students in Years 7 and 8 were were given the opportunity to invite their fathers, or another important male mentor figure, to the ‘Ms. Empowered’ Breakfast to discuss gender inequality in the workplace. The focus of this event was the implications that gender inequality has for the success of both their businesses and their daughters,. This was an opportunity in the hope they would be inspired to start making positive changes in a workplace that Invicta girls will possibly be entering within the next decade.
After enjoying some breakfast with the girls, our guests challenged their own underlying biases in an unconscious gender bias test. This was followed by an insightful, inspiring talk from guest speaker Richard Parker. Mr Parker was heavily involved in State Street Global Advisor’s captivating ‘Fearless Girl’ campaign and he shared some fantastic insights and statistics with us.
After the presentation, I was delighted to see the room engage in a fascinating debate on the subject, with discussion ranging from the economic advantages of gender diversity, to the prospect of encouraging male involvement in the home. However, what excited me the most was the results of a survey completed by attendees at the event. They optimistically indicated that the majority of guests are ‘definitely’ going to bring insights from the event into their workplace, as well as work to change their unconscious behaviours towards female co-workers.
This has left me feeling truly optimistic about one day, seeing a world, where women run half our companies and men run half our homes. We are seeing such positive change everyday! Just last week, some of the biggest names in music wore white roses to the Grammys in support of gender equality; an exciting follow-up to Oprah’s stirring speech at the recent Golden Globe Awards. With powerful messages such as these circulating the media, it is hard not to feel optimistic about the future of womankind.
I am proud to be female and to have the opportunities given to me at Invicta to develop my thoughts, ideas, opinions and most importantly, leadership skills. I know that this is something I really will value in years to come. I am extremely grateful to be given such an education!
Erin-Jane Roodt
Senior Prefect
