we believe in girls the day of the girl has arrived Feminism ‘You can’t be what you can’t see.’ Ms Elizabeth ‘I am no bird; and no net ensnares me; I am a free human being with an independent will’. Jane Eyre Broderick, former Sex Discrimination Commissioner This quote may be over 150 years old, but it still rings true today. All around the world, right now, at this very second, women are being abused or having their rights taken away, despite the fact that many believe that gender equality has been achieved. However, there is an ever-growing movement trying to change this. My name is Mia Andrewes and I am a feminist. …. Even now, in a society which calls itself ‘innovative’, women are still facing similar issues to a hundred years ago … Even though we think that issues like the ones we have talked about today won’t come near the western world, they can and they could affect you, your mum, your child, your grandchildren. Every little right you take for granted could be stripped from you … Unfortunately, feminism has often become associated with man-hating. This is not true. If you believe that women should have equal rights to men, then you are a feminist. Our population needs to unite, and then we will achieve the thing which people seek the most. Equality. Mia Andrewes, Year 5HT (2016) We believe that our girls need to see strong female role The girls listened attentively and were both inspired and This exposure to great role models certainly has its models who are leading in a range of areas. Through motivated by her own story and the impact that she is benefits. Below is a quotation from Year 12 student, their stories and the opportunity to interact, we have no having on girls. Throughout Term 4 One Girl was the Zahara Cox, who said the following at the Year 12 doubt that our girls will consider more deeply the kind focus of the Community Service Team as they Leadership Induction Ceremony this year: ‘Siri says of people that they want to be and the impact that they endeavoured to raise support for One Girl through both that leadership is a practical skill encompassing the will have at this formative stage in their own lives. This awareness and fund raising. ability of an individual or organisations to guide others. is not to say that we will all lead exceptional public lives, Though that is theoretically true, I don’t think that but we can all lead exceptional lives and this is the Girls in Years 5 to 8 attended the UN International definition captures the face of leadership at Ruyton. message that we hope the girls will hear. Finding your Day of the Girl Child address, which was given by At Ruyton, leadership is seen in those humble heroes who passion and committing to your own pathway to always Ms Holly Ransom. Holly is an accomplished professional receive Citizenship awards from Mr Upperton. It is our do your best is something that we want for all of the in her own right and a gifted speaker. She was able to student council of dedicated girls who want to do their girls, irrespective of which pathway they choose. share stories and anecdotes that demonstrated her part to make the School a better place for everyone. It is Leading a life of impact is something that we want values and her achievements. Holly then joined a the girl who helps others when they don’t quite every girl to achieve, for our Ruyton girls and for the number of girls, parents, special friends and staff for understand parabolas in maths and the teachers that many girls around the world, who have limited lunch. Mia Andrewes (5HT in 2016) was able to share stay well into their own time to help a student to learn. opportunities and capacity to direct their lives. May the her speech from the Public Speaking Showcase on These students, these teachers, this School. We are opportunities to increase the access to education for gender equality. a community of leaders.’ girls and young women improve through events and special days and may our willingness and capacity to ‘lean in’ to support girls around the world grow. Throughout last year the girls in the Junior School were exposed to a series of inspirational women who are leading in various fields of endeavour, and who were willing to share their own experiences. Kim Brennan’s (Crow ’03) visit had a profound impact on the girls, as she shared her own story of competing in the Rio Olympics and the journey of self-development that it had taken her on. Through her experiences she was able to highlight the values of resilience, respect, persistence, and the impact of a growth mindset on her ultimate success after many years of hard work. The girls were inspired by her journey and being able to see and to hold the gold medal that she won was the icing on the cake. In addition, the Year 6 Community Service Team worked with Mrs Odman to organise for Ms Morgan Koegel, CEO of Melbourne-based charity One Girl, to speak with the Junior School at an Assembly. 14 the ruyton reporter