ROLE MODELS - Issue #24
ROLE MODELS - Issue #24
Having our own and being one...
Hello There, dear readers
I hope we are all well?
Thanks for coming back to read the fortnightly newsletters. It means a lot and to those of you who are here for the first time, then a double-thanks. I hope you like what you read.
In this issue, I thought I’d look at role models. Both those that mean a lot to you as your role models, plus, it’s highly likely you are considered one by other people. And it may be that you are not aware of it. Great thought, eh - that you are considered highly enough to have younger women (or men) want to be like you. Or at least learn from you.
But let’s take a look our OUR role models first. What makes them a role model? Is it how they look or what they’ve achieved or what they stand for.
Without coming over all jingoistic and pro-British, I think Her Majesty the Queen would take a lot of beating. Particularly since the news that she is battling COVID-19 at age 95 and still carrying on with “light duties” whilst isolating at Windsor Castle. But if any of you have seen any episode of The Crown, I think one thing they got right was just how highly she takes her role as monarch and has done for the last 70 years. How’s that for standing for something?
As genteel as the Queen is, there are those who have to rattle the bars a little more loudly. I’m thinking those women who have to battle in male-dominated arenas, such as Parliament and the government. I’m thinking Laura Kuenssberg, Chief Political Editor at The BBC, who is isn’t afraid to make macho, very misogynistic MP’s answer her questions when she interviews them, no matter how many times she has to repeat the same question to them, over and over again. I’m thinking Jess Phillips - Labour MP - who fights for her Yardley constituency in Birmingham like a fearsome mother and is the Shadow Minister for Domestic Violence and Safeguarding in the Shadow Cabinet. Both women will fight to the death for causes they believe in, not giving a toss for how others will think of them for it.
And, if you suspect a bit of a girl-crush going on with the two named above, on my part, then, yep, I’ll own up to that. But isn’t that what having a role model is all about - admiring strong qualities in people in public life and being inspired to try and emulate them? I can only wish…..:)
But what if the boots on the other foot, and you discover you are a role model for some younger person coming up through the ranks? Then it’s a whole new ball game, hun…
YOU ARE THE ROLE MODEL
Really? You’re having a laugh…
No, I’m not.
Because, given our age and career trajectory, it’s highly likely some younger person, probably a younger woman, has seen what you do and what difference it makes and decides that’s what they’d like to emulate.
Frightening thought eh, but lovely at the same time. Sure, it’s lovely, but there comes a whole responsibility with that.
Because in this all-seeing world of digital media, you every move can be searched online, digested and very unwittingly influence someone who hasn’t the maturity to know better.
It’s a tough mantle to carry, but it’s probably one that we should all should be aware of. Even if you think you don’t have anybody remotely interested in what you get up to online, you probably do and that should influence what you post.
I’m not standing in judgement here. God knows I’ve posted enough stuff over the years that makes me cringe, but I try to be mindful about how things I post (and write) might be interpreted.
As I said, it’s a tough mantle and you’ll probably end up posting something that you shouldn’t. But forgive yourself and just bear it in mind next time.
Right, here endeth the lession
*steps down from the lecturn now*
DOLLOP OF POSITIVITY
Bit of a wordy one for you this time. But I came across it reading an article Karen Elson had undertaken with Harpers Bazaar magazine and it made such sense. Basically, stuff what everyone else thinks and do stuff that makes you (and your heart) sing.
So, that’s issue #24 put to bed. I hope something in it resonated with you. And if not, let me know what YOU would like to see me cover. I’m all for pleasing my readers ;)
I hope you all stay safe & well as we come out of, at the time of writing, seems to be ditching of any COVID restrictions at all. Will we cope - we’ve been so used to taking precautions for so long, we do it without thinking about it.
I wish you well and will see you in a fortnight’s time
Take care
Una x