Today marks International Women’s Day (8 March). A global day to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.
As a homelessness charity, many of our services specialise in supporting women who are facing homelessness; from our domestic abuse programme to our supported accommodation for mothers and their babies.
Many of our services are named after inspiring women: Elizabeth, Naomi, Karis.
And many of our longest serving members of staff are incredible women.
Here, we speak to some them about why they are so dedicated to Oasis Community Housing.
ALEX LAING, PROJECT TEAM LEADER, 58:7 PROJECT
What woman inspires you the most and why?
My mum every time. She had me really young and brought me up on her own. It wasn’t always easy but she gave me everything and she means the world to me. She taught me to be confident and that I could be anything I wanted to be and still to this day she has never let me forget that. She has always empowered and supported me through everything. I honestly don’t know how she does it all! She is an absolute rockstar!
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
For me it’s a time to reflect on myself as a woman and all the important women in my life. But I think it’s bittersweet International Women’s Day, as it reminds me of all the struggles that women have been through and still go through, but it also celebrates all we achieve.
AMANDA PATTINSON, CO-PRODUCTION WORKER
What woman inspires you the most and why?
All women on this beautiful planet! For all we are, for all we do. For the balancing of equality. Tackled, fought for, discussed, campaigned for and protested for by women at different points In our history to make strides towards equality in every form. For our nurturing, our caring and our gentle loving ways.
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
International Women’s Day to me means touching base, recognising and reflecting how wonderful we really are, flaws and all!
JEN GAUDEN-HAND, DIRECTOR OF HOUSING
What woman inspires you the most and why?
My mum is one of the strongest people I know, but also gentle and humble. A woman who quietly loves and supports others. A carer. Listener. Encourager. She’s spent her life looking after others, often sacrificially, with no thought for her own personal needs or wants. To me she’s an example of a normal woman putting love into action, someone doing what she can with what she has. The best mother and female role model I could have had.
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
It’s an opportunity to be grateful for, and celebrate the role women play in my life and the world more widely, as well as to learn about and be inspired by women doing amazing things to change the world!
DEBORAH PROUD, EMPOWER MANAGER
What woman inspires you the most and why?
Rather than trying to pick out one inspirational woman – I think women and men who have integrity, who stand by their beliefs regardless of the cost, who are truthful, who are kind and will be the voice of those who don’t have one; are traits I most admire in people.
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
I think it’s good to look back and reflect on how far woman have come, and to always make good use of the opportunities those who have gone before us, fought so hard to get. I am from the South originally, and my own great grandmother was a suffragette in London during that period.
JESSICA BURNELL, SUPPORT WORKER, NAOMI PROJECT
What woman inspires you the most and why?
The woman who inspires me the most is my granny, she is 95 and going strong, she has such a positive outlook on every situation and such a joy for life no matter the situation. She and my grandad have created such a legacy within our family of love and acceptance and strength, family is there to lift each other up and pull together in times of hardship. She is still so keen to do her bit to help others and has taught her family to be community minded too. She has lived through a world that has changed so much since she was born, and has embraced every change as a new challenge seemingly without fear (if she was afraid it didn’t show). She has such a clear view of what really matters and is content with what she has.
I hope that if I reach the same age I will still be as full of life as she is and that people will be able to say the same about me, that they are better off for knowing me, as this is true of her.
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
It’s great to have a day to reflect on women, what we have achieved and how far we have come. I think it is good that the day is also used to look at how circumstances are not the same for all women and how we can provide opportunities for women who have not been allowed to thrive in the same way and use our privilege to bring others up with us and challenge injustices that remain.
SALLY PEARSON, PROJECT TEAM LEADER, BASIS GATESHEAD
What woman inspires you the most and why?
A lady called Jo who was my youth leader when I was a teenager. She was the one who encouraged me to apply for a job here and helped me to understand our clients and the ethos of the organisation.
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
International Women’s Day gives us an opportunity to celebrate the women we work with at our Basis Gateshead homeless drop-in. This has motivated us to run some activities to let them have fun and do something just for them. This gives them a few hours of rest and enjoyment, as well as a way to try and help them see their worth.