Missions Aligned - Personal, Local, National

The subject of violence against women and girls touches so many of us and last week I was privileged to have attended Prime Minster’s Questions, thanks to Steve Yemm MP for Mansfield, where mention was made of the support provided by women’s refuges. Later in the day I was supporting his team working through an action learning based Strategic Orbits Exercise, interrupted with a moment of wonder as Steve delivered his speech in the Chamber on this subject; the speech that his team had helped to write. Stars aligned; personal, local, national and generational.?

I learnt only a few years ago, just after the passing of my mother, that she had spent time in a women’s refuge for unmarried mothers with my sister who she could never tell me existed. My mother protected me from her own early lived experience of poverty, racism, sexism and abuse, silenced through felt shame. She left me the breadcrumbs for me to discover her story and I felt she would be proud if she could see me here. Here with other amazing colleagues and friends spanning three generations who all bring their unique personal stories into their work, practice and personal mission in service of others.

Dr. Peace Ani, FCMI Shell Richards FRSA Carole Edmond Dr. Jennifer Bowerman Alexandra Morgan Elizabeth Gilmore