08 Mar 2021
Today, Murrumbidgee Regional High School celebrated International Women’s Day 2020. Female students who wished to participate were treated to an inspiring presentation from Kate Callaghan, CEO of Southern Cotton and the Whitton Malthouse, and Madison Coelli, 2017 Trainee of the Year.
A titan in her field and a major figure in the regional economy, Kate Callaghan gave the students an insight into being a woman in an overwhelmingly male industry. She discussed developing the confidence to compete in the workforce and told the students about her career, from its beginnings in agricultural science through to her ascent into the boardroom.
“I don’t believe International Women’s Day is all about chest beating and demanding a better deal.” explains Kate, “I believe it’s a day for women to reflect on the fact that they are leaders, they have skills, they are competent in their own right and they should celebrate that.”
“I found the talks inspirational.” says Durva in Year 12, “Kate took an unconventional path to become a CEO and utilised the skills she developed from every job she had.”
Maddison Coelli, an advocate for women in leadership, discussed self-care and solidarity for professional women. “There’s not enough emphasis put on women in leadership.” Maddison declares, “Women make up only 6.3% of world leaders so we need to start encouraging more up and coming young female leaders.”
“I’m jealous of the next generation of women.” says Kate, “They have amazing opportunities in fields that we don’t even know exist yet. They have an awesome journey ahead and I hope that they appreciate that.”
Murrumbidgee Regional High School has also set up a display in the library for inspirational women’s stories. Furthermore, they will be running a girls only screening of Hidden Figures during lunchtime today and tomorrow. Hidden Figures is the story of three female African American mathematicians instrumental in the Space Race.
