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International Women’s Day 2022

Over the past decade Lowe Corporation have actively worked to create a diverse, supportive, and safe working environment for every employee, regardless of gender.  However, like many businesses across the globe we are always seeking new opportunities that enable our company to continue to contribute towards the creation of a more equal world, free of bias and gender stereo types.

While we could write pages and pages about what International Women’s Day means to us as a company, we thought it was more valuable to understand what IWD means to our employees.  Therefore, we asked our team to nominate female employees across Lowe Corporation to provide real life insights and thoughts on IWD.

Why Do You Think It’s Important For Us To Celebrate IWD?

“Whilst we’ve already come so far, there’s still a long way to go. International Women’s Day plays a key role in keeping the current issues women still face front and centre, whilst also highlighting how far this movement has come”

– Charlotte Surgenor, Senior Marketing Executive, UK

“Women deserve to be celebrated and championed for all they do, helping give upcoming and future generations of women the equal opportunities that they deserve. I want my daughter to grow up in a world where she can achieve anything”

– Rebecca Dolman, Sales Administrator, UK

“Because gender should never be an issue; but due to longstanding traditions and customs in almost every country in the world, men and women are often still viewed based solely on their gender, not only at work, but also in sports etc.”

–Yui Sjabana, Account Manager, Singapore

“I think it important for us to celebrate IWD as so many amazing ladies have risked so much for us to be able to live the lives we can today.  To have a voice and the freedom to choose what paths we want to take.”

– Annabel Bennet, New Store and Refit Lead, UK & Europe

“I think it’s important to celebrate IWD as it’s important that women feel supported and encouraged by those around them.”

–Sarah Morcombe, Global Stock Manager, UK

“Personally, I think it is important we celebrate International Women’s Day to celebrate and support the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women worldwide. There was a time long ago when women were restricted to where they could work. Now, we, women, are running corporations across the world. Most of all, it is a day to reflect and recognize how far we have come and continue to accelerate women’s equality.”

-Regina Muller, Talent Business Partner, U.S.

What Female Is An Inspiration To You, And Why?

“As cliche as it may sound, it does have to be my mum and my group of friends. Having such a solid support system and being surrounded by strong and likeminded females that show anything can be achieved no matter the circumstances or whatever good or bad is thrown at you really is an inspiration and shows me that anything can be accomplished!”

– Charlotte Surgenor, Senior Marketing Executive, UK

“My inspiration is a girl I went to school with… as a young teenager she nursed her mother through cancer as her parents were going through a messy split at the time, she suffered bullying, after school she lost her partner to suicide and then at the age of 26, she developed the same cancer as her Mum. But you know what, I’ve never met a more positive, happy, kind, caring person in my whole life. She doesn’t have a bad word to say about anyone or anything. She lives each day to its fullest and worked even on her sickest days and she refused to be beaten by her illness. She’s my inspiration when life gets tough and I’m glad she’s back in my life”

– Rebecca Dolman, Sales Administrator, UK

“The late Princess Diana. She is so strong and did not shy away from showing her true self at all times.”

–Yui Sjabana, Account Manager, Singapore

“My Grandma is the most inspirational woman in my life…Amongst other things she sewed parachutes in the 2^nd World War.  She had an absolute love for life and my brother and me.  She brought us up in the late 70’s and 80’s when we sadly lost my Mum and she taught me loyalty, resilience, kindness, and the belief that I could do and achieve anything in life.  I live my life both for her, and for my Mum.”

– Annabel Bennet, New Store and Refit Lead, UK & Europe

“The female who is an inspiration to me is my good friend Karen. I have known Karen since I was a teenager, and she has always been someone I have looked up to. Despite the challenges she has faced, including beating Breast Cancer, she always remains positive and puts 100% into everything she does, whilst encouraging those around her. Karen is also part of the Lagan Dragons, which is Northern Ireland’s first ever Dragon Boat club made up of those affected both directly and indirectly by Breast Cancer. As you can imagine, the club is full of many inspirational ladies. Because of Karen, I also joined the Lagan Dragons at the end of last year. We are currently training for upcoming races, and hope to compete in Athy Regatta in May, and Carlow Regatta in June!”

–Sarah Morcombe, Global Stock Manager, UK

“My mother has inspired me my whole life. She went back to college at the age of 31, while taking care of 3 little kids. She was the first in her family to graduate college and obtained her degree in nursing in 1988. Years later she went on to be the Director of Nursing for Ethical Health and Rehabilitation. She has taught me to go after what I want in life and to take every opportunity given. She inspires me every day to be the best version of myself.  She has since retired, but occasionally helps here at Lowe, calling on the Exhibitor Lists just to help us out when needed. She is the most genuine, kind-hearted person I have ever known, and I am proud to be her daughter.”

-Regina Muller, Talent Business Partner, U.S.

More Than Just A Day

As we move towards a mutually inclusive society, it is important to remind ourselves that IWD is not just an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women, but to increase the visibility of issues that everyone has the power to address.  While these quotes are only a small part of a much larger discussion, they touch upon shared personal experiences that highlight why it is pivotal for companies to continue to raise awareness of equality and take meaningful action.