NEW ZEALAND WOMEN IN FOCUS
CELEBRATING AND ACKNOWLEDGING HUMBLE CHANGE MAKERS IN CHRISTCHURCH By Clare Erasmus
“Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.” - Maya Angelou
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he month of March highlighted International Women’s Day, a dedicated moment to reflect, celebrate and acknowledge the differences remarkable women make individually and collectively between communities locally and internationally. International Women’s Day is a global day that celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political milestones of women. The theme this year was ‘Choose to Challenge’. Our paths cross many everyday women and collectives of women who choose to make a difference. They are our unsung heroes, who humbly initiate, embrace change, choose to facilitate and enable others to lead improved lives. International Women’s Day is about being aware and alert in our world because in doing so opportunities to evoke change are not overlooked. Being aware and alert requires individuals with an empathetic lens and courageous heart. New Zealand is blessed to have several charitable organisations that aim to pivot change. This article will highlight three local women and the organisations they believe in, are passionate about and where they can promote, facilitate and empower others. Sarah Pilgrim was raised in the South Island and has spent the last 20 years in Canterbury. Living with her husband, Amos, and son,
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Noah, she is constantly surrounded by her close-knit family. For Sarah, her career as a registered nurse shaped her consciousness around cultures, inequalities, hardships, suffering, health and loss. Sarah described her upbringing as a ‘privilege’, with unquestionable access to basic life needs. Seeking to increase her community involvement and inspired by her husband, Amos, she registered as a volunteer in the Big Brother Big Sister organisation. Big Brother Big Sister is the largest volunteer mentoring network in New Zealand, where matches are created between supervising adults and tamariki - children aged between 6 to 12. These meaningful and positive relationships help ignite youth potential and have lasting impacts on the lives involved. Sarah explained, “...my role is a ‘big sister’ or ‘mentor’. My role is to be consistent, to show up regularly and spend time with my ‘mentee’ or ‘little sister’, to be positive, caring and a listening ear. As we have been matched for four years, my role needs to adapt slightly to her needs. For example, my mentee was ten years old when we first met, but she has just turned 15! So new experiences will arise on our journey.”
