IWD 2019: Balance for better...

Today’s feature for our #balanceforbetter online campaign is Suzanne Brown, Director (Solicitor) and QLS Business Law Accredited Specialist from McKays Solicitors.

Suzanne believes International Women’s Day brings into focus, and gives an opportunity to celebrate some of the amazing and accomplished women in the Mackay region.

“Women are literally taking over the world! I feel like in a few years we will be having a conversation about how to re-engage men…and having an International Men’s Day!”

One day is ceremonial, 364 days is revolutionary...

I support and encourage women to share their voices and stories, but why do we need one day to talk about the issues and rights of women?

Is it so we are quiet for the other 364 days of the year?

Respecting women, uplifting women, seeing women as equals, as leaders, as more than their sex, believing in us, appreciating who we are as HUMANS has to be the reality and making these changes every single day is how we move into the future.

One day is ceremonial, 364 days is revolutionary.

EMPOWERMENTFallon Drewett8 March 2019women voices, women issues, women, self esteem, celebrate, iwd

Put your hand up and challenge the status quo...

Kylie Porter can’t wait for a time when we don’t need one day to highlight the role of women – that balance is just the everyday norm.

“A controversial statement I know.”

However, in saying that, Kylie believes International Women’s Day is a good opportunity to shine a spotlight on the many opportunities that exist for women in the world today.

We need to recognise and acknowledge that gender is important...

Minds Aligned partner Nick Bennett said it is important to him that we recognise and acknowledge that gender is important and we need each other to play our roles in creating and improving society and community.

“It is not a matter of losing gender identity but claiming it and knowing what it means as a value and contribution to enhancing others existence, opportunities and lives,” he said.

ENGAGING VOICESFallon Drewett6 March 2019words to live by, women, IWD, life balance, GENDER

It is time to create conversations about the importance of balance...

You may know Jay Shipston as one half of Triple M’s Jay and Dave breakfast radio show but did you know he is a proud feminist? Well he is and when asked to be part of the JSP International Women’s Day (IWD) online campaign he embraced the idea with an open heart.

After posting a sneak peek photo of our photoshoot for the #balanceforbetter on social media a few weeks back a comment was left on his post from a man who clearly wasn’t in support of the cause.

He said, “Women already have too much too say, don’t encourage them”.

ENGAGING VOICESFallon Drewett5 March 2019IWD, women issues, women, women voices, empowerment

We all can be powerful influencers...

Rowena Hardy from Minds Aligned said It can be easy to feel isolated living in a regional area when it seems that everything happens in capital cities or larger regional centres, yet some of the most resilient and pioneering women live in these areas.

“ I recognise that women are hungry for knowledge, information and support for how to improve their lives ,” she said.

ENGAGING VOICESFallon Drewett4 March 2019

Education is the key to a gender-balanced world...

MAYOR Greg Williamson has never ironed one of his wife Annette’s dresses and she has never ironed one of his shirts.

In his words they “have attacked everything as a team”.

This year’s campaign theme for International Women’s Day on Friday March 8 is #balanceforbetter while celebrating women’s successes and calling for a more gender- balanced world.

ENGAGING VOICESFallon Drewett3 March 2019women, women issues, IWD, balance, gender, empowerment

Dear Body...

Dear Body,

To your bumps, scars and lumps, your story lines.

Lines on your face, strong skin, tough heart.

Heart, it beats loud and soft.

Softly your breathe sighs in and out searching for peace.

BODY IMAGECoffee Hops17 June 2018FALLON, body image, self esteem, fabulous females

Speaking up and stopping the cycle. Period.

WHEN is it okay to say to a woman, “Women have a scent when they are on their period. You can just smell them and you know you have to steer clear of them”. Yes, a man said this to my face. In fact, he said it to my sister as well while we were waiting for our lunch order. Let’s say it turned me off my food and got me pretty revved up. I was so mad by the following conversation it has taken me a week to actually think about how to write this blog.

Once Upon A Female: Clare Desira making happiness a habit one top five at a time

CLARE Desira laughs through the phone; it is infectiously light and warm like a hug. Her happiness beams through her voice and her tone sounds at ease, content and connected with who she is. Clare believes that happiness is a habit and it is this belief that is the foundation of the Top Five Movement, she is the founder of. The Top Five Movement in essence is simple tools for a happier life.

ENGAGING VOICESCoffee Hops12 June 2017words to live by, women, inspiration, happiness, positivity, JSP

Once upon a female: The story of Alanna Bastin-Byrne from Femeconomy

Alanna Bastin-Byrne is resilient, extroverted, industrious, humorous and a planner. Like, most women living in today’s modern world, Alana is generous, supportive, courageous, tough and kind. Women like Alanna are the perfect combination of steel and cotton wool, able to be strong and feminine all at once. She believes women are tough in the modern world, but as the stories of women in history have shown, women have always had to be tough.

ENGAGING VOICESCoffee Hops15 February 2017Alanna Bastin-Byrne, Femeconomy, tribe, women, women in business, economy, JSP

Once upon a female: The story of Emily Somers from BraveryCo.

EMILY Somers is covered in tattoos. Not the inked version, but scars from radiotherapy, which she bravely wears. A week before her 27th birthday Emily was diagnosed with 2B Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, after she found a lump above her collar bone. Her life went from parties, advertising, design and 24/7 fun to chemotherapy wards, oncology appointments and constant naps.

ENGAGING VOICESCoffee Hops3 January 2017Emily Somers, BraveryCo., body image, JSP

Face forward on your flaws

“Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?”

The Queen from Snow White asked this question pretty regularly, hoping the mirror would say her name.

When I look in the mirror these days, I am fair, and by fair, I mean fairly certain I have seen better days. The other day I woke up and said to the mirror “good grief is that my face? “ And to quote my father, it looked a bit like a chewed caramel”.

BEAUTYCoffee Hops20 June 2016FALLON, beauty, women, faces, body image