Just recently, the TOM Team was fortunate to attend a truly inspirational day for women. The theme behind the TEDx talk was ‘The space between’- how women see the grey areas between black-and-white clear cut perspectives. Women naturally express a curiosity to explore what is between these extremes and explore the space between IQ and EQ (our intellectual and emotional intelligence) to gain the bigger picture. The conference was an immensely inspiring and insightful few hours spent with leading thinkers and experts in gender inequality towards women.
How very awe-inspiring to sit in a room filled with like-minded powerful women, as ultimately we are the catalyst in positive change for the future. As we sprint toward a future filled with technological advancements and human activity becomes increasingly futile, there is an unspoken need for EQ (emotional intelligence) which is best demonstrated in women.
The conference, with an overall objective of enabling and empowering women, was simultaneously hosted in 150 separate events all across the globe.
Some lasting thoughts from the speakers…
Elizabeth Broderick (Australia’s Federal Sex Discrimination Commissioner): Elizabeth is responsible for advancing gender equality in Australia. She has advocated for our first national paid parental leave scheme, increasing women’s workforce participation, recognition of domestic violence as a workplace issue, and has recently dealt with the backlash of the infamous ADFA sex scandal of April 2011. She has also brought together influential Australian male leaders to form the Male Champions of Change Group.“What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others remains immortal.”
Jeremy Meltzer (International White Ribbon Ambassador & Social Entrepreneur): “Understandably there are angry women, but my question is where are all the angry MEN… The fathers, brothers, husbands & boyfriends? What is the change that we will have the courage to make in our lifetime? In the US there are 8 million work days per year lost due to violence against women. Violence against women is a crime. Men can commit to challenging the old norms- not one more sister, mother or daughter subject to violence.”
Jenny Gray (CEO Zoos Victoria): “We don’t live on some other planet to all these creatures. We live on the same planet as them. Use recycled toilet paper so we can reduce the number of tree-dwelling homeless animals caused as a result of tree forestation. 16 species in Victoria will become extinct in the next 10 years if we do nothing. When I dream, I dream that one day we will be the reason for the ongoing existence of Tasmanian devils.”
Charlotte Beers (CEO Ogilvy & Mather, Former US Under Secretary of State): “All things being equal, I just want to be in charge. Persuasion is the courage to step outside of the circle and say “I believe”… It’s not what you say, it’s what they hear.”
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