International Women’s Day 2022: #BreakTheBias
International Women’s Day 2022: #BreakTheBias
This year's campaign theme for International Women's Day is #BreakTheBias. It's a worldwide rallying call for women of all ages, in all stages of their lives and careers, to commit to calling out bias.
This International Women's Day we're celebrating a handful of these women who are part of the Adairs team, by sharing their stories and experiences with our community. From storefront to boardroom, from creative studio to leading our digital projects, collectively they represent the passion and power of the women of Adairs.
Selen Oztunar – Talent Acquisition Specialist
What is it about IWD that's important to you?
It’s a day to reflect, to celebrate the amazing women in my life and around the world, and just to recognise what a long way we’ve come.
What does #BreakingTheBias mean to you?
To me it means creating and fostering a diverse culture both in and out of the workplace. I think it all starts with being aware of our own biases and educating ourselves.
What's the most important piece of advice you have received? What advice would you give your younger self or young women thinking about their careers?
I remember when I was a little girl my piano teacher always said to me “patience, patience, patience – you will always get to where you want to go.”
Selen Oztunar – Talent Acquisition Specialist
What is it about IWD that's important to you?
It’s a day to reflect, to celebrate the amazing women in my life and around the world, and just to recognise what a long way we’ve come.
What does #BreakingTheBias mean to you?
To me it means creating and fostering a diverse culture both in and out of the workplace. I think it all starts with being aware of our own biases and educating ourselves.
What's the most important piece of advice you have received? What advice would you give your younger self or young women thinking about their careers?
I remember when I was a little girl my piano teacher always said to me “patience, patience, patience – you will always get to where you want to go.”
Fiona Ferguson - VIC Area Manager
Knowing what you know now, what would you change about your journey?
I definitely would not have cared about what people thought as much as I used to. I had ovarian cancer in 1993 and that changed how I felt about everything. Once I finished my treatment, I challenged myself, finding a confidence to step away from the safety of routine.
What does #BreakingTheBias mean to you?
What it means seems simplistic in words however it is so powerful – inclusivity.
What's the most important piece of advice you have received? What advice would you give your younger self or young women thinking about their careers?
Best advice I’ve received: Watch your ego - don't let it drive you. It’s ok to have ego however decisions based solely on ego won’t pay off.
Advice to my younger self: Don’t be so scared of failing, or what people think - be brave.
Fiona Ferguson - VIC Area Manager
Knowing what you know now, what would you change about your journey?
I definitely would not have cared about what people thought as much as I used to. I had ovarian cancer in 1993 and that changed how I felt about everything. Once I finished my treatment, I challenged myself, finding a confidence to step away from the safety of routine.
What does #BreakingTheBias mean to you?
What it means seems simplistic in words however it is so powerful – inclusivity.
What's the most important piece of advice you have received? What advice would you give your younger self or young women thinking about their careers?
Best advice I’ve received: Watch your ego - don't let it drive you. It’s ok to have ego however decisions based solely on ego won’t pay off.
Advice to my younger self: Don’t be so scared of failing, or what people think - be brave.
Chelsea McGovern - Photography Studio Production Coordinator
Knowing what you know now, what would you change about your journey?
There is such a big world outside of school with so many opportunities and careers that didn’t even exist when I was a kid. I think the dream now is just to have fun and surround myself with creativity and colour!
What is it about IWD that’s important to you?
Celebrating women and how hard we work to kick down barriers and find our feet on that rocky ground. IWD is about looking at where we’ve come from, where we’ve been, and where we’re going next - through that glass ceiling, girls!
What's the most important piece of advice you have received, or what advice would you give your younger self?
Better yourself every day because you deserve to be the best version of you. I think that’s also what I’d tell younger me, that’s pure motivation right there.
Chelsea McGovern - Photography Studio Production Coordinator
Knowing what you know now, what would you change about your journey?
There is such a big world outside of school with so many opportunities and careers that didn’t even exist when I was a kid. I think the dream now is just to have fun and surround myself with creativity and colour!
What is it about IWD that’s important to you?
Celebrating women and how hard we work to kick down barriers and find our feet on that rocky ground. IWD is about looking at where we’ve come from, where we’ve been, and where we’re going next - through that glass ceiling, girls!
What's the most important piece of advice you have received, or what advice would you give your younger self?
Better yourself every day because you deserve to be the best version of you. I think that’s also what I’d tell younger me, that’s pure motivation right there.
Kate Spargo - Board Member
What is it about IWD that’s important to you?
IWD should be an occasion to think of how we can help those around us. Being a supportive friend and mentor in the workplace can be very valuable and it's good to reflect on where that help might be appreciated.
What does #BreakingTheBias mean to you?
Bias in the workplace has always been a challenge for women. I can remember working for unequal pay when I was young simply on the basis that I was female. I believe that in Australia we have reached something of a tipping point where the novelty of women in senior roles has now changed to becoming the expectation.
What's the most important piece of advice you have received, or what advice would you give your younger self?
Remember that we tend to focus on the negatives about ourselves, but we should try to remember all the things we're great at!
Kate Spargo - Board Member
What is it about IWD that’s important to you?
IWD should be an occasion to think of how we can help those around us. Being a supportive friend and mentor in the workplace can be very valuable and it's good to reflect on where that help might be appreciated.
What does #BreakingTheBias mean to you?
Bias in the workplace has always been a challenge for women. I can remember working for unequal pay when I was young simply on the basis that I was female. I believe that in Australia we have reached something of a tipping point where the novelty of women in senior roles has now changed to becoming the expectation.
What's the most important piece of advice you have received, or what advice would you give your younger self?
Remember that we tend to focus on the negatives about ourselves, but we should try to remember all the things we're great at!
Fay Hatzis - Financial Controller & Company Secretary
What is it about IWD that's important to you?
It’s important to celebrate how far we have come towards equality, but it’s also important to recognise that there is still work to be done.
What does #BreakingTheBias mean to you?
Breaking the bias for me is living in a world that is equitable and inclusive, an environment that provides equal opportunity and encouragement for all.
What's the most important piece of advice you have received, or what advice would you give your younger self?
To acknowledge that the way people act is not a reflection on you but rather a reflection of how they feel. Try to understand what’s going on in their world and ask if they are ok.
Remain humble throughout your successes and remember the sacrifices others have made for you.
Fay Hatzis - Financial Controller & Company Secretary
What is it about IWD that's important to you?
It’s important to celebrate how far we have come towards equality, but it’s also important to recognise that there is still work to be done.
What does #BreakingTheBias mean to you?
Breaking the bias for me is living in a world that is equitable and inclusive, an environment that provides equal opportunity and encouragement for all.
What's the most important piece of advice you have received, or what advice would you give your younger self?
To acknowledge that the way people act is not a reflection on you but rather a reflection of how they feel. Try to understand what’s going on in their world and ask if they are ok.
Remain humble throughout your successes and remember the sacrifices others have made for you.
Kiera Grant - Board Member
What is it about IWD that's important to you?
International Women's Day presents a unique opportunity for us all to stop and unashamedly recognise women’s achievements.
What does #BreakingTheBias mean to you?
"Breaking the bias" in my mind is a powerful call to arms for us all to celebrate diversity, equality and inclusivity in a particularly fragile and fragmented world.
What's the most important piece of advice you have received, or what advice would you give your younger self?
It's how you process and overcome life's setbacks that defines you as a person, not any accolades or fame.
Kiera Grant - Board Member
What is it about IWD that's important to you?
International Women's Day presents a unique opportunity for us all to stop and unashamedly recognise women’s achievements.
What does #BreakingTheBias mean to you?
"Breaking the bias" in my mind is a powerful call to arms for us all to celebrate diversity, equality and inclusivity in a particularly fragile and fragmented world.
What's the most important piece of advice you have received, or what advice would you give your younger self?
It's how you process and overcome life's setbacks that defines you as a person, not any accolades or fame.
Ivy Ye - Marketing Executive
Knowing what you know now, what would you change about your journey?
As I went through school, I compared myself to the creative people around me and I became self-conscious about my skills. Knowing what I know now, if you have passion for something… GO FOR IT!
Can you think of a woman who has inspired you personally or professionally? What is it about them the inspires you?
I am lucky to be surrounded by so many strong-willed women in my life. My beautiful Mum, a single mother who worked multiple jobs to ensure I had every opportunity growing up, and my best friend Ali who is always lifting others up before herself.
What's the most important piece of advice you have received, or what advice would you give your younger self?
Remember we’re all humans at the end of the day, and we’re not designed to be perfect. Everybody makes mistakes but that’s when we learn and grow the most. And don’t forget to have fun along the way!
Ivy Ye - Marketing Executive
Knowing what you know now, what would you change about your journey?
As I went through school, I compared myself to the creative people around me and I became self-conscious about my skills. Knowing what I know now, if you have passion for something… GO FOR IT!
Can you think of a woman who has inspired you personally or professionally? What is it about them the inspires you?
I am lucky to be surrounded by so many strong-willed women in my life. My beautiful Mum, a single mother who worked multiple jobs to ensure I had every opportunity growing up, and my best friend Ali who is always lifting others up before herself.
What's the most important piece of advice you have received, or what advice would you give your younger self?
Remember we’re all humans at the end of the day, and we’re not designed to be perfect. Everybody makes mistakes but that’s when we learn and grow the most. And don’t forget to have fun along the way!
Kristin Laidlaw - Senior Product Manager
What does #BreakingTheBias mean to you?
Gender equality is what allows my husband and I to follow our passions free of stereotypes. For me that means I can pursue my ambitions, and am still able to be a loving, nurturing mother. As a mother of 3 boys, I love that their ‘normal’ is seeing me working hard, while still being able to help them with their homework and cook their favourite dinners.
Can you think of a woman who has inspired you personally of professionally? What is it about them the inspires you?
What inspires me the most are women who champion women, who act in honest and caring ways, and who are selfless in their ambitions.
What's the most important piece of advice you have received, or what advice would you give your younger self?
Take risks. Don’t be scared to push yourself just that little bit further than feels comfortable. I think if you are true to yourself and are open to being vulnerable and learning, you can really do anything you want!
Kristin Laidlaw - Senior Product Manager
What does #BreakingTheBias mean to you?
Gender equality is what allows my husband and I to follow our passions free of stereotypes. For me that means I can pursue my ambitions, and am still able to be a loving, nurturing mother. As a mother of 3 boys, I love that their ‘normal’ is seeing me working hard, while still being able to help them with their homework and cook their favourite dinners.
Can you think of a woman who has inspired you personally of professionally? What is it about them the inspires you?
What inspires me the most are women who champion women, who act in honest and caring ways, and who are selfless in their ambitions.
What's the most important piece of advice you have received, or what advice would you give your younger self?
Take risks. Don’t be scared to push yourself just that little bit further than feels comfortable. I think if you are true to yourself and are open to being vulnerable and learning, you can really do anything you want!
Alexandra Christopher - Chief Marketing and Digital Officer
What is it about IWD that's important to you?
IWD is important for me for two different, but equally important reasons.
Firstly, it’s an annual reminder to pause, reflect and celebrate the women who have come before us and paved the way for the life we live today. Oh, what an achievement, and what a celebration it needs to be!
Secondly, it’s a moment to focus us on the next frontier and rally together. As individuals we can drive change. Together, we’re unstoppable. As we like to say at Adairs…one team, one dream.
What does #BreakingTheBias mean to you?
To me, breaking the bias means embracing a new era. Acknowledging that we’re all individuals and we’re never more powerful than when we are free to show up as ourselves.
What's the most important piece of advice you have received, or what advice would you give your younger self?
There’s an old saying along the lines of “Shoot for the moon and even if you miss it, you will land among the stars” which I’ve always loved. However, I think Maya Angelou translated that best into a principle for daily life:
“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” YES! Thrive, thrive, thrive.
Alexandra Christopher - Chief Marketing and Digital Officer
What is it about IWD that's important to you?
IWD is important for me for two different, but equally important reasons.
Firstly, it’s an annual reminder to pause, reflect and celebrate the women who have come before us and paved the way for the life we live today. Oh, what an achievement, and what a celebration it needs to be!
Secondly, it’s a moment to focus us on the next frontier and rally together. As individuals we can drive change. Together, we’re unstoppable. As we like to say at Adairs…one team, one dream.
What does #BreakingTheBias mean to you?
To me, breaking the bias means embracing a new era. Acknowledging that we’re all individuals and we’re never more powerful than when we are free to show up as ourselves.
What's the most important piece of advice you have received, or what advice would you give your younger self?
There’s an old saying along the lines of “Shoot for the moon and even if you miss it, you will land among the stars” which I’ve always loved. However, I think Maya Angelou translated that best into a principle for daily life:
“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” YES! Thrive, thrive, thrive.
