International Womens Day

The origin of International Women's Day lies in an event that occurred in New York 100 years ago this March. It was a protest by 15 000 women who were marching for the right to vote, a decent wage, and an end to sweat shops and child labour. Since then, women around the world have continued to rally and protest for women's equality. In 1977, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution for a United Nations Day for Women's Rights and International Peace. They didn't stipulate a date, but in many countries that date is 8 March.

(Above Information referenced from the NSW Women Issue 9 Feb 2008 Newsletter)

So on the 8th March in Orange, Council staff held a Women at Work Luncheon. One of Council staff members who has a talent outside of work sang and entertained the audience in between speakers. I was able to initiate the event with the brief above and a welcome to all the people who were able to attend.

We were then privileged to hear from three wonderful speakers with a variety of backgrounds. The first was our Orange Women Electorate of the year Pam Boney. Pam is a Murrauari woman who was born in Wee Waa. After loosing both parents Pam spent her younger years growing up in a Children's home in Brewarrina.

Pam married and had three children and explained those years as being the toughest and most isolating years of her life.

Pam gained many skills as a parent and became involved in her community. Pam also attended a TAFE course which challenged her personal values and was a turning point. She made many friends which she still has today. Pam's confidence increased and she gained the incentive to enter the workforce. Pam has since worked in a variety of different areas including Youth, Mission group and in Orange as a part of the school system. Pam is well deserving and a wonderful model as Women of the year for our electorate.

Elizabeth Makonnen Desta was the second speaker who is married with two children. After arriving in Australia she pursued post graduate studies. Prior to that she studied in the Czech republic and after that in Germany.

After completion of her studies she worked as a research officer in an International livestock centre for Africa. She was involved in Animal Nutrition Research. During the study years she travelled extensively gathering experience in both the developed and developing world. Elizabeth is very interested in women's issues and loves to talk to women from all walks of life. Elizabeth is now working as a Research officer.

Our last speaker was just as inspiring and her name was Jan Stevenson who has been a Magistrate for 18 years. Before being appointed to Orange she was a Senior Deputy State Coroner at Westmead for 4 years from 1997-2001. Jan has also worked as a Magistrate on the Maitland Circuit and before being appointed was in private practice for several years as a solicitor.

Jan was a senior solicitor and has spent her prior life in the Courts of Petty Sessions. Jan made the comment that when reflecting on her biography it all looked pretty dry and dusty. Jan's journey has been anything but dull!

Although I didn't have the opportunity to stay for the duration of the event, work commitments called, I did have the opportunity to speak with each of the ladies prior to the event starting. Each one of these ladies were inspiring in their own right and I congratulate them on sharing their journey through life with all the ladies who attended. It is occasions like these and the personal insight into their lives that can truly inspire you as an individual.

Thank you ladies for sharing this time with us all!