International Women’s Day

What Brought You Into Scouting?

I walked into my local Scout Hall and asked how I could help. I had fond memories of Scouting as a kid, and I felt it was my time to pay it forward.

What Keeps You In Scouting?

It’s tried and tested. It works. Scouting offers young people skills for life through outdoors adventures that they can’t find elsewhere.

What’s the best thing you’ve done in Scouting?

Persuading parents to let their 14-year olds organise a 3 day hike with their friends, finding their way by compass, carrying all their gear, with no wifi, and no adults. Just as I did when I was their age.

Would you recommend Scouting to other women and why?

It’s not for everyone, but for those women who like being active or want to get fit, and love helping young people face into challenges and succeed, it’s probably one of the best choices they can make.

What do you think is the most important thing that women can bring to Scouting?

Because wherever you are, when men and women work side by side, with respect, and towards a common goal, they achieve the greatest outcomes.

What do you do in life outside of Scouting?

I help companies manage their reputations through corporate communications support and advice.

Who is your female ‘hero’?

Today I am in awe of my brilliant teenage nieces, who are standing in solidarity with Greta Thunberg and championing for a better future.

Do you have any other ‘heroes’?

I have heaps of heroes, from Mary Anning, an English fossil hunter who helped shift prevailing views of origin through her palaeontology discoveries to chimpanzee scientist Jane Goodall championing the environment to this year’s record-breaking astronaut Christina Koch. Complete legends, all of them.

Do you have a personal philosophy that motivates you?

“If it scares you, it might be worth trying.”