Transcript International Womens Day March 2016

International Women’s Day
th
March 8 2016
Celebrating Inspirational Women
Mary Midgely
English moral philospher
I would like to nominate Mary Midgely. Partly due to fact that she
began her research career in her 50’s – showing age is no bar. She
combined family and academia. Her early subject area was the
same topic I did my PhD in – and she wrote fearlessly on a number
of issues. Whilst I do not always agree with all the detail of what
she says, it is impressive how she challenged many establishment
figures. She was also Newcastle based.
“During her time at Newcastle Midgley began studying ethology
and this led to her first book, Beast and Man (1978), published
when she was 59. ‘I wrote no books until I was a good 50, and I'm
jolly glad because I didn't know what I thought before then.’"
Nominated by Eileen Kaner
Jill Francis - Professor of Health Services Research
(City University London & Newcastle University Alumni)
I would like to nominate Prof Jill Francis. I nominate her
because I believe she is a very good role model for
women, and men, in academia. She is extremely capable
and successful, and drives to the highest standards,
while also working from a good value base with interest
in treating people well, in nurturing others, and
encouraging positive competition within a wider culture
of peer support. To me, Prof Francis embodies the
aspirational characteristics of a hard-core academic and
nurturing leader. I believe that she has had a profound,
positive impact on a lot of women and men junior
academics, as she has mentored us through the ranks.
Nominated by Niina Kolehmainen
Doreen Lawrence
Baroness
I would nominate - Doreen Lawrence - mother
of the murdered student Stephen
Lawrence. Doreen Lawrence has, despite her
huge burden of grief, persistently campaigned
for justice. Her family have been vilified, spied
on by the establishment and her actions and
persistence have uncovered the extent of
institutional racism in the UK. She is indeed an
inspiration.
Nominated by Suzanne Moffatt
Dr Pamela Zimkin
Trustee of Medical Aid for Palestinians
I am nominating Pam, who may not be known to anyone else in IHS,
but has been an inspiration for half my life. She was Professor of
Paediatrics in Mozambique for 5 years shortly after
independence. Later, we both worked at the Institute of Child
Health in London and she invited me to co-edit ‘Disabled Children
and Developing Countries’ (Mac Keith Press, 1995). We met every
Tuesday evening for two and a half years – it was like undertaking
another PhD with a totally inspiring tutor.
In her ‘retirement’ Pam is a Trustee of Medical Aid for Palestinians,
dances with the Company of Elders at Sadler’s Wells Theatre
(londondance.com/articles/news/why-dance-matters/), and is
learning Mandarin. She is always interested in other people and
always hopeful of change for the better.
Nominated by
Helen McConachie
Malala Yousafzai
I would like to nominate Malala Yousafzai.
Malala showed great bravery after being shot
by the Taliban at the age of 15 while on the
school bus. She was the youngest ever
receiver of the Nobel Prize for fighting for
children’s and women’s rights to education.
She has also written books and is a wonderful
inspiration as a woman of courage who has
overcome such great difficulties at such a
young age.
Nominated by Maggie Brown
Mrs Dorothy McKenna
I will nominate My Mum
Why, because her very positive attitude
toward life her cup is always half full, and at
89 will not be beaten either by illness or
whatever life throws at her. Brought up 4
children on her own and worked a full time
job to make ends meet. Never did she
complain and taught us all right from
wrong. I love my mum and hope if I am lucky
enough reach the age of 89 I am exactly like
her.
Nominated by Denise Heighton
Hollie McNish
British Poet
I would like to nominate Hollie McNish as
an inspirational woman. She is a
wonderfully inspiring woman who writes
poetry for the modern age. She was UK
slam poetry champion in 2009, finishing
third in the World Poetry Slam finals. Her
poetry is challenging and thought
provoking, discussing everything from
rasicm, to motherhood, sexism,
infantilisation of women to consumerism. I
couldn’t recommend her enough – find her
on you tube!
Nominated by Michelle Maddison
Vera Araujo-Soares
Senior Lecturer in Health Psychology, IHS
I would like to nominate Vera Araujo –
Soares, for being the most loving and
patient mother, daughter, wife and
friend while passionately engaging in a
very demanding job. Nobody embodies
the idea of loving others like you love
yourself to me like she does.
Nominated by Falko Sniehotta
Janet Evans- American long distance swimmer
Janet Evans, american distance
swimmer. She was quite small and had a
really inefficient style but she made up
for it with pure determination and grit
to have an amazing career. I completely
wanted to be her as a young swimmer
(hard to believe these days, i know!). I
think the value I place on hard work and
commitment started young, most likely
in this sport and this lady.
Nominated by Liz Huston
On International Women’s Day I’d like to remember all the women I interviewed
for my PhD many years ago. All of these women had been referred to a local
hospice where I was conducting my research. Nearly 20 years on the experiences
of some of these inspirational women remain with me and in many ways continue
to influence my research and teaching. They freely gave up hours of their precious
time to talk to me about their health, their hopes and fears and their roles as
partners, friends, sisters, daughters and mothers. For me personally, their
accounts serve as reminder of what can be achieved and what is really important
in life.
Nomination by Cath Exley