Monday 29 February 2016

Women in Business

As you know I am passionate about empowering women to reach their full potential be it in their business life, family life or their personal life and as I have three daughters and a daughter-in-law I will never give up the fight for equality for women in both education and employment. Equality is not a luxury it is a right that we as women deserve.

We can be our own worst enemy allowing those internal feelings of self doubt paralyse us and stop us moving forward. We often lack confidence but as Shirley Conran says "Self confidence is the most important thing and comes from identifying your goals, knowing your limits and roping in all the help you can get". That's where women's associations and networking events are so important for women to attend so we can share ideas, discuss our problems, support each other and have fun.

International Women's Day is on March 8th and this year's theme is Pledge for Parity. So how do we want to celebrate International Women's Day? We can all pledge to take a concrete step to help achieve gender parity more quickly and that is both women and men. We can try and help women and girls to achieve their ambitions, call for gender-balanced leadership and help them to realise the limitless potential they offer in all areas of life. It is estimated that the gender gap will not close entirely until 2133 as there is already a slowdown in the pace of progress we are making. We cannot and will not wait that long so we must continue to take action.

Women in Business Southampton are holding a conference 'She Leads' on Saturday March 5th at the University of Southampton from 10am until 5-30pm.

The next Wessex Women's Network meeting will be held at the Cloud Hotel on Wednesday 16th March at 6-30pm the speaker is Professor Jo Adams and her talk is about her research into Arthritis health.  I look forward to seeing you.

Remember if your 'dreams' don't scare you they are too small!

Life Begins At The End Of Your Comfort Zone'   Neale Donald Walsch

Get out of your comfort zone and fulfil your dreams

Avril


Tuesday 9 February 2016

BBC Radio Solent Interview - Avril Owton MBE

In this BBC Radio Solent interview, Avril discusses 40 years at the Cloud Hotel and her experiences as one of the famous Tiller Girls.

Click here to download the interview.

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