According to Logan City Councillor Mindy Russell, International Women’s Day is ‘an opportunity to reflect upon the successes of individual women in our community, but also the successes of ourselves as a society in removing gender bias’.
“I’m grateful to be enjoying a number of International Women’s Day events across the week, including the Logan Chamber of Commerce International Women’s Day breakfast with my sister, John Paul College’s breakfast with fellow Councillor Miriam Stemp, and the Waterford’s Wonderful Women’s Awards, hosted by MP Shannon Fentiman,” Cr Russell said.
“It’s important to have all kinds of people in leadership positions, and this is much broader than a gender issue. it is important that all members of a society can see something of themselves in their leaders.
“The more diverse representation in our leadership, the healthier our culture becomes.”
.Cr Russell said the best advice she’s gotten came from her mother.
“When I was little and my family would go out, my mum would suggest that I walk up to the other kids and say: “Hi, my name is Melinda. What’s your name? Do you want to be friends?” This advice continues to serve me just as well more than 30 years on,” she said.
Her advice for young women and girls in Logan City is to ignore the hierarchies.
“Ignore the hierarchies. To get great things done, go to the most important person you’ve met and ask for something unreasonable,” she said.
“Sometimes they say yes. It’s easier to ask for forgiveness rather than permission.”
