It’s International Women’s Day and we want to say a big thank you to all the amazing women who continue to support our charity. This includes members of staff, trustees, volunteers, customers and, of course, the female companions who have helped shape the Emmaus Norfolk & Waveney community over the past 10 years.
Our team is now led by our CEO, Cecile Roberts. We’ve spoken to her about International Women’s Day and the women who inspire her.
Why is it important for Emmaus Norfolk & Waveney to celebrate International Women’s Day?
We are part of a global movement against poverty and inequality so celebrating IWD is naturally aligned to our ethos. IWD has been celebrated globally for over 100 years and it’s important we don’t forget those who fought for equality for women and those who continue to do so. Many have lost their lives or have incarcerated in their bid for equality for women. There are many incredible women across the globe doing amazing things whether it’s being a prime minister , raising a family , running a farm or developing a vaccine. It actually wasn’t that long ago when many of those options wouldn’t have been possible – but we’re getting there.
The theme for IWD 2021 is #ChooseToChallenge. How do you think you challenge yourself or others through the work you do at Emmaus Norfolk & Waveney?
We challenge ourselves daily to drive towards being self-sustaining through our social enterprises and we continue to develop our services to provide more support avenues to support more people. We strive to deliver on that triple bottom line – social, environmental and financial impact.
We support individuals who have experienced trauma in their lives and may be continuing to overcome addictions, mental heath issues and physical health issues. At the same time we are collectively running a number of social enterprises. This isn’t necessarily always an easy ask and every day brings a range of challenges. The outcomes are considerable, however on multiple levels and that’s what drives us all in the community.
How does Emmaus Norfolk & Waveney specifically support female companions and those who have experienced homelessness?
2020 saw us convert and refurbish a wing of one of our buildings to create a women only sleeping area. Many women who have been rough sleeping or at risk of homelessness have experienced traumatic experiences including domestic violence and sexual assault. Some have been sex workers. With this in mind we created a separate sleeping area so our female companions could feel more secure.
Many of our female companions have (as have many of our male companions) lost access or lost custody of children. As they stabilise, we support our companions to rekindle relationships through counselling, building self-esteem, leaning new skills and adopting healthy life patterns.
Have you encountered any related challenges in your career along the way to becoming a CEO?
The jobs I have had throughout my career have mainly been in male dominated environments. Being a head chef overseeing large brigades of mostly men, doing really long hours in often uncomfortably hot environments with constant pressure and high adrenaline, prepares you for dealing with difficult situations. The chef world can be macho – it certainly was in the 90s – and I guess I had to find ways of dealing with sexism or attempts to make me uncomfortable.
I don’t ever really think about the fact that I’ve had a number of CEO/ senior positions in relation to being a women. I don’t feel that I need to prove myself because I feel innately equal to a man. That’s because I’m fortunate enough to expect to be able to achieve any position based on my skills and experience alone, having had the way paved for me by the likes of Emily Pankhurst and Diane Nash.
It wasn’t that long ago that things were very different and it’s good to take pause and look at that historical journey for womankind. At the same time, it’s important that we recognise that there are many woman globally who do not have these rights and take the time to think what I can do about this as a fellow woman.
What advice would you give to any young woman starting their career in the charity sector?
My advice to a young woman would be the same as my advice to a young man. The charity sector in the UK is pretty mixed with men and women, and often attracts people with a desire to create a social impact. People who care and want to see a better world, people who fight against inequality, harsh regimes, marginalisation, and have a desire to help others out of crisis.
I’d say you probably won’t earn a huge salary in the charity sector, and you won’t necessarily feel a sense of satisfaction every day, and you may be upset by some of the injustices you will witness, but that will serve to keep the fire in your belly so you can continue to make a difference to our world for others.
What woman / women inspire you and why?
Oh so many!
In terms of women’s rights over the couple of hundred years, Barbara Bodichon, Nancy Astor and Octavia Hill who my Dad taught me about when we were mushrooming in Octavia Hill in Kent) and, of course Emmaline Pankhurst.
Then entrepreneurs like Coco Chanel and Lucille Ball, environmentalists like Jane Goodall and Greta Thunburg, scientists like Marie Curie and Sally Ride and female black activists like Rosa Parks and Barbera Jordon. Some of these women aren’t even particularly well known but their social impact on the world has been huge.
I’m also quite in awe of Jacinta Arden right now.
