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Over the next few months I am going to be producing a series of blogs, short films and interviews under the title of 'Women Who Can'. I am going to start with someone who was my first inspiration and continues to be an invaluable support to me today.
I have had the privilege to be able to look up to my mum. She has inspired me to just keep going, keep trying and never give up. She has battled cancer (two types) chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery, jumped out of an aeroplane, competed in a commando challenge, run numerous "race for life” events. She skied for the first time at 50, started learning the saxophone and participates in high intensity 'beach-fit' twice a week, aged 60.
Most inspiring for me is that she studied for years, whilst having two small children, to become a Chartered Accountant. She had a full-time job already and to get through the amount of work necessary, every night, seven days of the week she would study between 8pm and 10pm at night. She took countless exams and finally qualified five years later. She ended her full-time career as Head of Financial Services for our Local Council directly managing over 80 staff. Although I recall certain moments where I missed her and wanted her to be around more, for the most part I was blissfully unaware of the pressure that she was under. Somehow she managed that critical balance of being a full-time bread-winning career woman, but also a mum, and wife.
All too often barriers seem to appear in our path, apparently blocking us from achieving what we had hoped we would. Sometimes we have to admit defeat and move on (though often there seems to be a reason, which in the end we are then grateful for) and sometimes it makes us more determined to keep trying.
I have lined up some great, inspiring, interesting and high achieving women to help to illustrate that women really can. First in the line-up is Laura White, G.P., new mum and sports enthusiast. Follow us here, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up to date.
I have had the privilege to be able to look up to my mum. She has inspired me to just keep going, keep trying and never give up. She has battled cancer (two types) chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery, jumped out of an aeroplane, competed in a commando challenge, run numerous "race for life” events. She skied for the first time at 50, started learning the saxophone and participates in high intensity 'beach-fit' twice a week, aged 60.
Most inspiring for me is that she studied for years, whilst having two small children, to become a Chartered Accountant. She had a full-time job already and to get through the amount of work necessary, every night, seven days of the week she would study between 8pm and 10pm at night. She took countless exams and finally qualified five years later. She ended her full-time career as Head of Financial Services for our Local Council directly managing over 80 staff. Although I recall certain moments where I missed her and wanted her to be around more, for the most part I was blissfully unaware of the pressure that she was under. Somehow she managed that critical balance of being a full-time bread-winning career woman, but also a mum, and wife.
All too often barriers seem to appear in our path, apparently blocking us from achieving what we had hoped we would. Sometimes we have to admit defeat and move on (though often there seems to be a reason, which in the end we are then grateful for) and sometimes it makes us more determined to keep trying.
I have lined up some great, inspiring, interesting and high achieving women to help to illustrate that women really can. First in the line-up is Laura White, G.P., new mum and sports enthusiast. Follow us here, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up to date.