Empowered to see the big picture

Professional Empowered to see the big picture

By Mishael Peeradina

When I first saw the expression of interest for the Anna Stewart Memorial Project I honestly believed that I wasn’t a suitable candidate.

I mean really, what could I offer? While I may have had the women’s contact officer (WCO) title for a few years, we are on most days a well organised school and the staff is mutually respectful and considerate of each other.

Are there a few niggles? Absolutely, which workplace doesn’t have them? Like every other workplace family, we have our ups and downs, but mostly we are a cohesive unit of stable staff be it part-time or fulltime, with an approachable admin team. I mean really, it’s not much different from your workplace. Except I know it is.

We met at UnionsWA for a week, a group of Annas from different walks of life with different experiences shaping us (Mishael is seen on this page, standing left, meeting with Curtin Primary School principal Jennifer Broz).

Our needs, however different, did highlight that gender equity is still a work in progress. And while I felt that the niggles in my workplace were not really much of an issue, I found the very same things I took for granted at my school were still battles to be won in other professions.

While part-time work is fairly acceptable in a primary school, teachers in high school are still struggling to have that.

While I am the WCO in my school, other professions are still battling to have a Women’s Committee.

Sitting amongst the other Annas I came to the realisation that our union has worked, and is working, tirelessly to ensure members’ rights and dignity are maintained.

Meeting the staff at SSTUWA, I could see how passionate everyone was about their work and the effort they put into empowering members. I had not intended to apply for the Anna Stewart Memorial Project, but I’m glad I did because I can now see the bigger picture.

It’s not just about the immediate workplace. It’s about women across professions who are still battling for entitlements that I take for granted.

It’s about opportunities lost or missed out on because of a perceived sense of gender needs and/or differences.

One of the biggest takeaways from this project – women second guess themselves when opportunities come their way, so don’t doubt yourself.

You are qualified. You are capable. You can influence the agenda.

Anna Stewart Memorial Project details

The Anna Stewart Memorial Project is a week-long development program, during which women from diverse workplaces and occupations spend time together discussing work and issues that affect them.

There is no charge for attending the course but participants do need to apply through their union for paid leave to attend or make other leave arrangements with the employer.

This year’s Anna Stewart Memorial Project will run from 19-23 October.

The project is a memorial to former union official Anna Stewart, who passed away in 1983, aged 35.

Her involvement with the union movement began at a time when women’s work was poorly paid and lacked job security and recognition.

Women still experience job insecurity and low pay and are often under-represented in decision making and leadership positions. The aim of this project is to:

Give women the tools and training to take on leadership roles within their unions and workplaces. Discuss the particular needs of female union members and the difference women leaders can make to the development and growth of their union. Teach women about workplace issues such as discrimination, awards, agreements, wages, superannuation, politics, history, feminism and workplace laws that affect working women.

The project is a mix of training sessions, discussion, presentations from influential women in unions and politics, plus a day of work placement with union organisers.

Applications to participate in this year’s Anna Stewart Memorial Project are due by Friday 28 August.

In submitting your expression of interest to this project, please ensure that you have conditional approval from your line manager as per your relevant general agreement.

For more information visit sstuwa.org.au/scholarships