Celebrating International Women’s Day

Australia held its first International Women’s Day event in 1928 in Sydney, where women demanded equal pay for equal work, an 8-hour working day for shopgirls, and paid leave. Now, International Women’s Day is celebrated around the world, shedding light on the need to address barriers that continue to perpetuate gender inequality and build support for women’s full participation in the economy, politics, and broader community.

As an all-girls school, Ravenswood is committed to empowering our girls to develop grit, resilience, and courage to speak up and stand up for themselves.

Principal Mrs Anne Johnstone said in a special International Women’s Day Senior School Assembly, ‘International Women’s Day highlights the power of community and unity, something we are keenly aware of in our beautiful School as we strive every day, in true RAVO fashion, to strengthen the sisterhood and make a difference in the world.’

‘It is a time for us to not only call for change but reflect on the progress that has been made so far, to celebrate the courage and determination of the women who have changed history, and those who will advance gender equality into the future,’ she said. ‘It is an opportunity for us to unite, network and mobilise for meaningful change.’

Ravenswood Alumni Kate McLoughlin (1996), Australian Team Chef de Mission and General Manager of Sport for Paralympics Australia, inspired the students during a rousing speech and a dynamic Q&A. She explained with authenticity and passion the similarities between the goals of International Women’s Day and what she and her team are trying to achieve through the Australian Paralympic movement.

‘Just like promoting gender equity more broadly, the advantages of people participating in sports go far beyond helping people with disabilities live better lives,’ Kate said. ‘It’s a well-established fact that participation in sports leads to improved physical and mental health and community connection. And these outcomes are amplified for people with a disability. It leads to people with a disability being more confident, helps them live healthier, and provides them with employment opportunities. It plays a bigger role in society to help them live the life they want to live. Our goal is to make Australia a fairer, more inclusive, and better place.’

Mrs. Anne Johnstone said, ‘Kate is an inspiration to the Ravenswood community. Through her commitment to leading and supporting the Australian Paralympic team, she exemplifies our School’s Guiding Principles of respect, courage, excellence, compassion, and optimism and is a wonderful Ravenswood Alumni ambassador.’

On International Women’s Day, Mrs Anne Johnstone and Ms Sarah Guy greeted students with uplifting female artist songs. Throughout the School, paper and foil chains were hung to represent the female connection and the responsibility the Ravenswood community have in the chain to achieve equity for women. In Mentor Groups, Senior School students engaged in empowerment sessions, discussing the difference between equity and equality while creating purple chain links. Social Justice Prefects led the Senior School in a second-hand clothing drive for charity Dress for Success.

They raised money for the charity with a business attire-themed mufti day and selling purple scrunchies across the School. In the Junior School, the students wore purple-coloured ribbons and rhinestones. They also created purple loom bands to represent their role as a link in the chain in achieving equity for women. Junior School students read Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls (a children’s book about the lives of extraordinary women from the past and present) and made paper doll chains to pin on the walls of the Junior School. The chains represent women who inspire the students, from their mothers and teachers through to politicians and female leaders.