Group celebrates women’s achievements, activism

Mackay’s Older Women’s Network reflected on the progress of women for International Women’s Day

FOR the ladies of the Older Women's Network, who get together every Tuesday, this week's gathering was extra special.

They were enjoying International Women's Day along with their invited guests from the QCWA and Days for Girls.

OWN's founding member Mary Novikov said it was the group's 24th time celebrating IWD.

"I suppose it is an appreciation of the achievement and successes of women over the years," Mrs Novikov said.

 

Mackay Older Women's Network founding member Mary Novikov, Ruth Sargent and foundation member Fay Rae at their annual International Women's Day gathering. Picture: Primrose Sands.

She said IWD recognised influential women like Marie Curie, who was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and the first person, man or woman, to win the prestigious award twice for physics in 1903 and for chemistry in 1911.

It was also a day to reflect on the group's activism over the years, Mrs Novikov said.

This included petitioning Mackay Regional Council to keep cash parking meters and rectifying safety hazards at Caneland Central such as a pedestrian crossing that reached only halfway across the road.

In a fitting tribute to the day's atmosphere, OWN co-ordinator Ruth Sargent delivered a speech to the crowd of 70 women with words from Teresa Mahieu.

"The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair … true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul, it is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows … (and) with passing years only grows."

Mackay Older Women's Network members Rosemerry Paidley and Daphne Wright reflected on the friendships and companionship they had found by being part of the group. Picture: Primrose Sands.