The Audience

NARELLE, 33

Unexpectedly expectant mother

Age: 33 Born: Wagga Wagga, NSW Works: IT Programmer Income: $81,000

Relationship: Yes Transport: Mazda 2, white Interests: movies, holidays, baking, chocolate Personality: Introverted, educated, untidy

Narelle was a 'late bloomer' and the last of her friends to start her period. She was unprepared for the cramping and heavy bleeding she experienced with the onset of her period. She is frustrated by the irregular and unpredictable nature of her reproductive system, for which she has seen countless doctors and specialists. She is pregnant and weighing up whether to continue with the pregnancy or not, which means Narelle is one of the 32% of women who cite not wanting to be a single mother as the reason they choose abortion (Marie Stopes, 2008). Narelle does not have a close circle of women in her life.

THE AUDIENCE

YANI, 46

The feminist changemaker

Age: 46 Born: Budds Beach, QLD Works: HR Manager for Myer Stores Income: $132,000

Relationship: Widowed Transport: Honda CRV 2019 Interests: Fitness, shopping, dining out Personality: Driven, determined, magnetic, organised

Yani has three older sisters who tell her everything. She was an aunty at 16. She feels a strong sense of sisterhood from her sisters and colleagues. She is image conscious, driven and ambitious, and a single mum of 2 young boys - both difficult pregnancies, resulting in c-sections. Her sisters living nearby - they help enormously with childcare. She is perimenopausal and is determined to help women her age stay in the workforce and reach their full potential. She understands that Retaining women aged 50 plus in the workforce helps to frame this age group as an “important asset and leadership group” (MIPO, n.d.).

HELEN, 54

The kind mentor

Age: 54 Born: Adelaide, SA Works: Deputy Principal of a girls’ school Income: $230,000

Relationship: Married Transport: Audi Interests: Reading, gardening, dining out, tennis, squash, gym, walking Personality: Calm, considered, educated, friendly

As a child, Helen’s family were quite prudish when it came to discussing bodily functions. As far as her parents were concerned, it was not something that constituted ‘polite conversation’ (Grandey et al., 2020). As a consequence, her experience of being a woman was entirely one of self discovery. Helen’s desire to be a teacher stemmed in part from the lack of connection she felt with her parents, particularly her mother. Helen has embraced a getting of wisdom (Wren etal., 2014) as she has gone through menopause.