SPRING 2017
GLASS MAGAZINE
CULTURE
SIAN JARVIS:
One of the many women proving that with age comes passion and perseverance. When exploring powerful women we learn that many obstacles will come their way; whether it’s due to the so called dominant gender, men, or even losing. Powerful women know what to do.
CULTURE
“I was working in very a male dominated environment... but I deserved the position as I’d worked hard to get there.”
CULTURE
“...And to all the little girls watching this, never doubt th chance and opportunity in the world to
Successful women don’t have everything handed to them on a plate, they must remain persistent. From the British designer Victoria Beckham, aged 42, who’s forged a fashion empire to American politician Hillary Clinton, aged 69, who will never accept failure — young women can aspire to icons of female success. Society’s current state is a ticking time bomb. With Brexit well underway and Trump as the new American president, it’s only a matter of time before we notice a controversial change. Politics, for many people, is a paradoxical topic especially when we’re told that Clinton had over a million votes more than Trump but still lost the electoral college tally. Even though Clinton lost the election, you cannot forget the sense of fearlessness and courage that she brought to the table in the run up to the final vote. Whether or not you agree or disagree with the opinions and policies of Clinton, one thing that is undeniable is her resilience in getting what she wants, regardless of its outcome. She began her political career during a time where women were overlooked; the followers of men. Women were a rarity in politics; having graduated Yale Law School among only 27 women in a class of 235. In the 70’s a woman with a voice was quite often a man’s worst nightmare, simply because it was so uncommon. The world’s largest and most powerful industries, including the media industry, were predominantly led by men. And so when Clinton demanded her voice be heard or she showed signs of independence as a married woman, the media industry did everything in its power to shame her for such doings. Rodham. Hillary Rodham. A name she wanted known even after her marriage to Bill Clinton. As a feminist, she believed that her continuing to go by her maiden name told the world that she is still a woman with her own independence. However, what she received in return was not admirable praise, other than from the silent obedient housewives, but pathetic outrage from a society ran by men who couldn’t hack female empowerment. In 1991 Bill lost in a reelection bid due to his plan to raise taxes. Early in the following year, Hillary went on the ABC in America to discuss her husband’s loss. “I think Bill would be the first to say he made some real mistakes that first term.” To which the reporter replied, “Well now you may have made some mistakes in that first term too...you were first lady but you kept your maiden name.” Nevertheless as time went on Hillary transitioned her name to Hillary Rodham Clinton for the remainder of the time Bill was governor. Not because she had to, but out of love.
hat you are valuable and powerful and deserving of every pursue and achieve your own dreams.� -HILLARY CLINTON
CULTURE
Text and photography by Emily Watkins
CULTURE
Someone who hasn’t ever had the problem of needing to change her name because of a man is business entrepreneur Sian Jarvis. It’s not easy trying to pin her down for a photoshoot and interview but fair play to her, she’s a woman juggling it all. At 41, she became a mother for the first time to twins whilst being head of communications at the Department of Health in charge of over 500 staff. “I was working in very a male dominated environment, you could say, but I deserved the position as I’d worked hard to get there.” The business sector is still one heavily lead by men, but Jarvis is one of the many women hoping to change this fact and make it an industry equally led by both genders. Women who want to be at the top of their field in the world of entrepreneurship have to be relentless and there are statistics proving that companies with at least one female founder achieved 63% better than companies with all male teams. Why? Women have drive. As her career and success grew she ventured into charity work in order to give back to the world. Her most famous charity project was called ‘Step up and Serve’ which is a charity dedicated to helping young people of all backgrounds and abilities gain specific skills in order to achieve their future ambitions, which she presented to Michelle Obama. “She was really enthusiastic about the project and what its intentions were. It felt good knowing it had the support of a woman with such power,” Jarvis said of Michelle’s association with the project. In order to encourage young girls into the business industry women need to begin to celebrate each other more. Jarvis believed that supporting the Woman of the Year charity was a great way to do this, “Women of the Year was really about celebrating the achievements of extraordinary but ordinary women. Just people who have excelled in their career, have fought against the odds to get up to the top of their profession.” What Clinton and Jarvis have in common is not only that they are both women who have well and truly fought against the odds to get where they are today, but also they’re stimulating outlook to the future. Jarvis says when the work/life balance gets too manic “I’ve realised that I have to focus on keeping one foot in front of the other, then I’m alright.” Clinton refused to be weak or see the negatives when she lost in last year’s presidential election, in her speech she said, “We must accept this result and then look to the future.” Sometimes setbacks will knock you down. However they can also play as motivation to work and push for your dreams. Women like Clinton and Jarvis can teach young women to rebuild and push themselves, in various scenarios. Both women are one of many proving that age doesn’t stop you from doing whatever you want to do, whether it be starting a family as a single mother, running your own business or even running a country; age is simply just a number.
GLASS MAGAZINE