International Women's Day 2021

International Women's Day 2021

As I sit here in my ivory tower basking in my white male privilege, I’m asking myself what does IWD actually mean to me?

I have been extremely fortunate to have grown up around strong incredible women, my grandmother, mother, and sister just to mention a few and perhaps I took it for granted that that is how all women are. All my life I have surrounded myself with powerful, passionate, and strong-willed people so it is no wonder that I ended up with my amazing wife who is all of the above and so much more.

So why am I telling you this, well I guess I struggle with the whole idea of inequality in all areas, I know it exists, but I just don’t understand why in this day and age it still does. When I was originally discussing the idea of Ireland Together, I knew I needed to surround myself with like-minded passionate people and guess what…I have 3 female co-founders, all of whom are amazing and if truth be told they scare me a little, but in a great way. I am not here asking for a medal or anything like that, I am far from perfect (just ask my wife), but I am just trying to get across to you why I find it so hard to come to terms with or understand anyone who doesn’t see women as equals. When it came to starting Ireland Together all I knew was that I needed the best and I got the best…its as simple as that.

I was recently involved in a fantastic discussion with some Ireland Together members around the idea of how men could support women and help to raise them up and the first thing I could think of was how could I actually help, how could I ask without it being seen as condescending, I was actually somewhat fearful in case I said the wrong thing…what was happening, why was I panicking? I think when someone puts a name on something it becomes real and somehow more serious and therefore if you do or say something wrong there are consequences. For me I never really had to think about this before, how to I support women, how do I help raise them up in their careers, the simple reason is that I just naturally did this, not just for women but for everyone.

Now don’t get me wrong and think I am simply na?ve, I am only too aware that this madness goes on, I just can’t relate to or condone those who participate in it.

So back to my initial question, for me IWD is a reminder for me to stop what I’m doing, look around and reflect on the past year and ask myself, have I made a difference? If the answer is no, then I need to work harder.

I commit to listening - listening for cues, listening to let others speak, listening to different perspectives, and listening to my own values as we build towards a more equitable world.

What does IWD mean to you?

Join me in a conversation this week over on Ireland Together and see what ideas we can come up with that we can implement to hopefully improve things and change minds.

#choosetochallenge #iwd2021 

Ado Lynch

PA Brand Rocket Virtual Events at Brand Rocket

11 个月

Colin, thanks for sharing!

回复
Mindi Caselden

Executive Coach | Chief Catalyst & Co-founder at Caselden Consulting | Co-founder at Ireland Together

3 年

Thanks Colin! An impressive group to be included in, and we challenge each other everyday to create amazing things. #strongertogether!

Eva Acton

Sales, Leadership and Management Training / Psychotherapist-in-Training

3 年

I’m in!!!

Annette Cashell, Chief Movement Officer

I help women 40+ get rid of pain/build bone health so they can do the things they love | Pain-free& Bone Health Coach | Start living again with my Coaching Programs | The Break Fellowship 2023 | Social Entrepreneurs 2018

3 年

Great honest post. It's good to be a little scared, right?!? ??

Ilan Weiler

Service Engineer - Service Lifecycle Management at Arintea

3 年

Great message. I hope that one day, International Women's Day will be only a reminder of how far human kind improved, but until then, there is a lot of work still!

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