SA’s female trailblazers’ call for action to achieve gender equality
THEY are from different walks of lives — but these young women are already leaving their marks on their chosen professions.
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THEY are young, inspirational women already leaving their marks on their chosen professions. Now they are calling for more mentoring programs for girls and acknowledgment of positive changes towards gender equality.
SAWeekend will on Saturday unveil a list of South Australia’s100 most influential women who have shaped the state, nation and even the world with their extraordinary achievements.
The list is clear evidence South Australia has been at the forefront of moves to gender equality in its 180-year history.
However, young South Australians — including Archibald Prize finalist Tsering Hannaford, women’s rights campaigner Khadija Gbla, politician and disability campaigner Kelly Vincent, successful business owner Melanie Flintoft, winemaker Kate Laurie and lawyer Rachael Shaw — called for further action to inspire more women into leadership roles.
“It’s crucial a positive mindset that anything is possible is created at a young age,” Ms Laurie, 40, said.
The winemaker, who is inspired by SA pioneer Pam Dunsford’s achievements and is making a name for her quality sparkling wines, said mentoring programs with young girls and teens were important.
“We also need to acknowledge where the system is working,” she said.
“I have only had positive experiences in my career with male and female colleagues, so this needs recognition before a reverse gender bias becomes established.”
Ms Gbla, 28, echoed the call for more mentoring programs.
The 2011 Young South Australian of the Year survived war in Sierra Leone, witnessed the murder of her father as a 13-year-old and spent three years in a refugee camp.
“There are so many struggles for young women and we need more mentoring to support them,” she said. “We can’t just celebrate one type of woman. It has to be all types of women.”
Ms Vincent found support from her mother, who taught her to stand against injustice, and from the late comedian Stella Young, who “knew how to raise a rabble, get things done and win an argument”.
The inspiring politician, 27, who has cerebral palsy, was elected at the 2010 state election for the Dignity for Disability party. She said attainment of equality, including equal pay, is high on her agenda.
Equality also meant being allowed to juggle a successful career with family time for Australian Fashion Labels director Melanie Flintoft.
Her company, which she runs with husband Dean, has five womenswear labels, is stocked in more than 3000 outlets worldwide and turns over $50 million to $100 million.
“I am most inspired by successful and career-focused women able to maintain a family balance,” Ms Flintoft said.
“My mum Deb Garland has always been the most inspirational for me and she makes this balance seem effortless.”
Former Australian netball captain Natalie Bode admired the achievements of Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci and also acknowledged her mother’s achievements.
“What my mum did for us and what she sacrificed for us is amazing,” said Mrs Bode, who gave birth to a daughter two months ago. “Becoming a mother myself, it becomes even more obvious what she did.”
Ms Shaw also draws inspiration from her mother. “My mother Marie Shaw QC is a fearless advocate, champion for the underdog and the hardest worker I know,” she said.
Ms Hannaford, who faced off against her artist father Robert in last year’s Archibald Prize, said support had to come from other women.
The unveiling of SAWeekend’s list of our state’s 100 most inspirational women comes ahead of International Women’s Day on Tuesday.
So, what is it that these young minds have to say to follow their leads:
KATE LAURIE, 40
Winemaker, owner of Deviation Road Winery
Who inspires me?
SA: Winemaker Pam Dunsford.
Aus: Motivational speaker Turia Pitt.
World: Malala Yousafzai.
What is the one thing that needs to happen in South Australia to inspire more women?
Mentoring programs with young girls and teens. It is crucial that a positive mindset that anything is possible is created at a young age. We also need to acknowledge where the system is working. I have only had positive experiences in my career with male and female colleagues so this needs recognition before a reverse-gender bias becomes established.
MELANIE FLINTOFT, 43
Australian Fashion Labels director
Who inspires me?
SA: My mum, Deb Garland, for balancing a successful career with family life.
Aus: International stylist Nicole Bonython-Hines.
World: English fashion designer Stella McCartney.
What is the one thing that needs to happen in South Australia to inspire more women?
I think inspiring women in SA is not a matter of an event, rather women supporting each other and companies also supporting the need to achieve gender parity in the workplace — accommodating the need for work and family balance.
KHADIJA GBLA, 27
2011 Young South Australian of the Year
Who inspires me?
SA: Australia’s ambassador for women and girls, Natasha Stott Despoja.
Aus: Rosie Batty.
World: Malala Yousafzai.
What is the one thing that needs to happen in South Australia to inspire more women?
I want to see more women in politics and business. I want to see more women in top positions and being celebrated. When I look around now I think “Where are the women?’’ There are so many struggles for young women (gender, race, sexuality) and we need more mentoring to support them.
KELLY VINCENT, 27
Disability campaigner and politician
Who inspires me?
SA: Colleen Hunt, my mother, who taught me to stand against injustice.
Aus: The late Stella Young, Australian comedian and disability advocate.
World: UN Messenger of Peace Dr Dame Jane Goodall.
What is the one thing that needs to happen in South Australia to inspire more women?
The attainment of equality, including equal pay.
TSERING HANNAFORD, 28
2015 Archibald Prize finalist
Who inspires me?
SA: Singer and songwriter Sia Furler.
Aus: Domestic violence campaigner Rosie Batty.
World: Malala Yousafzai, youngest-ever Nobel prize laureate.
What is the one thing that needs to happen in South Australia to inspire more women?
I believe that other women inspire women, so to see more stories of individuals’ achievements would be a great thing for South Australia.
NATALIE BODE (VON BERTOUCH), 33
Former Australian netball captain
Who inspires me?
SA: My mother Anne Von Bertouch for the sacrifices she made to raise us and sister Laura Gallagher for the life lessons she taught me.
Aus: Former Australian netballer and coach of the Melbourne Vixens Simone McKinnis.
World: Romanian gymnast and Olympic gold medallist Nadia Comaneci.
What is the one thing that needs to happen in South Australia to inspire more women?
I like to see more women being portrayed and highlighted in the media and through schools to celebrate their achievements. I think it’s very important to give kids role models to look up to and having the variety of role models.
RACHAEL SHAW, 36
Criminal and commercial lawyer
Who inspires me?
SA: My mother, Marie Shaw, QC, a fearless advocate, champion for the underdog and the hardest worker I know.
Aus: Fomer governor-general Dame Quentin Bryce.
World: Feminist, Facebook exec Sheryl Sandberg.
What is the one thing that needs to happen in South Australia to inspire more women?
More women need to be promoted to leadership positions.
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