Celebrating Women for International Women's Day 2020

At Springfree we are lucky to have amazingly talented women leading the Australian operation. To say we’re passionate about seeing women kicking goals is an understatement. So we asked our team a few questions for International Women’s Day and their answers are heart-warming and so relevant. If nothing else, it shows us just how similar we all really are and that there is a drive for the right change to happen.

Here is our tribute to International Women’s Day 2020.

What is one thing that you think makes women amazing?

Overwhelmingly, the answer for this was the ability to create and grow new life, which everyone acknowledged was truly amazing. To be able to carry and nurture a growing baby but also to go through the birthing process and then the hardest part…parenting.

Additionally:

• Women are often very passionate about what they do, and makes them feel powerful and can do anything.
• Resilience, doesn’t matter how much they get knocked down they always seem to get back up.
• Theie ability to multi task.
• Their caring nature.
• Strength and comradery.
• They are mentally strong – women are often considered weak for getting emotional, but women actually have incredible mental strength. You just have to speak to any mother that has had to see their child suffer or go through some hardship. Their ability to rise above their own emotional state can seem super human.

A lot of mums must be doing the parenting thing right, because our second question got one very resounding answer from just about everyone!

Who is a woman you look up to and why? (they can be living/dead, well known/unknown)?

Turns out our Mum’s are our greatest heroes. Here are some of the reasons why mum came up tops for our team.

• She is strongest person I know, through countless illnesses she has always showed a happy face and taught me nothing can make you upset unless you let it.
• She is a very hardworking individual who is very passionate in whatever she does. Plus her ability to tell you how it is.
• She always seems to be there and knows what to say when needed, like most mums I would have to say.
• As a single mum who worked early shift work, she always made sure we could get to school safely with a full lunchbox. We may not have had a lot of money, but we always had a home open to all and hearts full of love and fun.
• Mum hasn’t had the easiest of lives but she never put any of her suffering on to my siblings or me. We never felt we were going without and we really had a great upbringing. It’s not until you get a bit older that you realise the extent of what she’s been through.
• She's always got my back - which hasn't always been the easiest for her!

How much do you relate to those??

Some of the other answers we received included:

• My best friends really. They are talented, smart, hardworking and humble. Above all they put their friends and family first.
• Pink. I like what she stands for.
• Maggie Beer. I love that she found a passion and made it into an empire. I also love that she has such strong family values.
• Anna Kendrick, as she doesn’t hold back and says what she wants with confidence.

What is a pearl of wisdom you would share with your daughter / niece / mentee?

Turns out we’ve had some pretty good role models in our lives with lessons learned to be able to pass on to the next generation. Some gems that stuck with us include:

• Believe in yourself and be firm with what you want.
• Never give it away.
• Be the best you. You will never be anyone else. 
• Life is for living go out and live.
• Don’t be afraid to follow your dreams and put in the work. Nothing comes easily and all experiences lead you to where you need to be.
• A smile is infectious and can easily turn around someone’s bad day.
• You can always say no and “No Means no!”.
• Do not be afraid to chase your dreams and go against the Grain.
• Let go of what other people think of you.
• Kindness is free, so there is no excuse to not be kind.

And the final question? Well hopefully this does reflect the majority as it is really what this day is all about!

What is your hope for women in the next 5-10 years?

The most popular response for this one was for equality – whether for pay, or more women in top roles or even just more recognition for women’s sporting teams. It’s clear that, while we are just not there yet, there is a huge desire (from both male and female) for it to happen.

A close second to equality was for women to be less judgemental and look for opportunities to raise each other up rather than tear each other down. We need to teach our daughters and their daughters to be confident, strong women who are comfortable within their own skins.

Do you agree with our team? We’d love to know how you’d answer any of these questions!

Additionally, if there’s a special woman (or women) that you want to acknowledge this International Women’s Day, we have created a ‘Thank You’ booklet that provides you the opportunity to do just that.

Download here, print, fill and deliver!