The Melbourne URS office hosts an event called "The Melbourne Glass Ceiling" every quarter for women employees and clients. They serve champagne, wine, and canapes (hour doerves) and bring in a powerful female speaker. Today we had the pleasure of hearing "The Hon Dr Sharman Stone" who is in the House of Representatives as Federal Member for Murray. She was an incredible speaker, being the first woman to fill many distinguished roles such as Director of the Dept of Agriculture (wish I could remember the others - they were all so impressive). She wasn't the slightest bit arrogant, rather very humble and relatable. She drew me in immediately and so many things she said rang so true. She provided some very interesting statistics about the decreasing trend for couples to have children, about the impact of having children on future career opportunities, and about the differences in the way men and women are perceived in the workplace. One example is that women tend to ask questions while men remain silent but benefit from the answer to the women's questions. In general, their bosses tend to believe that the men did not ask the question because they "had done their homework" and already knew the answer, even if they did not. She was a very empowering speaker, at times nearly convincing me that I must want to do what she does, or at least be like her. I certainly have a lot to learn as I first read her title as "The Hon" (sounds like hawn) thinking that must be some Australian political term with which I am unfamiliar. Turns out it's abbreviated for The Honorable. Whoops!
There was another quick speaker at the end of the program about "Fitted For Work", a program launched in Melbourne a couple years ago (modeled after programs in the U.S. and elsewhere) to help unemployable people find work. They provide business attire, teach interviewing skills, and boost self-confidence for women coming off of welfare, drugs, prison, etc. The whole idea of it really appeals to me and I talked to the co-founder about getting involved but I'd have to be available 10-3 or 1-5 during weekdays to help in the capacity I'd prefer, which probably won't work with my job. Such a cool program though. Maybe I could do it once a month or something.
