Celebrated all around the world on the 8th March, International Women’s Day is a day that commemorates the social, political and economic achievements of women. This year the theme focuses on the hashtag #BreakTheBias which calls on people to work towards a world that is equitable, inclusive, and free from bias and discrimination.
We are a firm where we don’t just talk the talk on diversity and inclusion; the diversity of our workforce speaks for itself. Being female is no obstacle to being a lawyer at Blaser Mills Law. While, across the profession, 52% of lawyers are female, at Blaser Mills Law, female lawyers make up 83% of our professionals. You can view our Diversity, Inclusion and Social Mobility statistics here.
To celebrate International Women’s Day we interviewed Lucinda Holliday, partner and head of Family & Divorce, and Fatima Mehdi, Corporate and Commercial lawyer. We discuss why it’s important to celebrate International Women’s Day as well as the inspiration, life lessons and challenges faced with that have made Lucinda and Fatima into the successful women that they are today.
Interview with Lucinda Holliday
Why do you think it’s important to celebrate International Women’s Day?
“I still feel that there is a need to promote and celebrate the role of women, but I think we also need to recognise the huge changes that have occurred over the years. There are still inequalities and the recent pandemic highlighted this”.
Have you faced any barriers in your career due to being a woman? If so how did you overcome them?
“Yes, in my previous career, when acting as an operations manager in charge of three call centres, my boss suggested that my heart wasn’t in the job despite me being at work the day I had my daughter and returning 6 weeks later (she was in intensive care for 4 of those weeks and still in SCUBU when I went back). I was hugely disappointed in the response and did find it hard to reconcile the two roles i.e. mother and operations manager – I had to make a choice but it presented an opportunity – I requalified as a lawyer but I was fortunate”.
What is the most important piece of advice you have been given?
“Recognise the strength you bring as a woman but also recognise your weaknesses – imposter syndrome, failure to promote yourself or push – and deal with them. Do not try to emulate men to get where you are. Terrible thing to say but advise your daughters on their careers, considering the impact on them if they give up their careers and subsequently divorce or separate following a period of cohabitation”.
How can we encourage women to pursue more senior leadership roles in their career?
“Make them value themselves for who they are, deal with imposter syndrome – not many men seem to suffer from this! Encourage a better balance in relationships in terms of looking after children. I am very aware of this as a divorce lawyer and believe that this is still where we (women) go wrong”.
Is there anyone that inspires you in your career?
“My children – they didn’t know me when I had a career in operations and saw me work my way from being a trainee to partner and head of department. They have encouraged me the whole way but also encouraged me to take time for myself and not working too hard, whilst keeping an eye on my priorities. They describe me as strong, wise and kind. That can get you far in life as well as work”.
Why do you think diversity and inclusion in the workplace is important?
“It is a must – we all have our strengths to bring. The Family & Divorce team at Blaser Mills Law is diverse which is one of our key strengths”.
If you could have dinner with three inspirational women, dead or alive, who would they be?
“Ruth Ginsberg, Emma Rice (I am not allowed to invite Cathy from Wuthering Heights so this is the next best thing) and Jacinda Ardern”.
Interview with Fatima Mehdi
Why do you think it’s important to celebrate International Women’s Day?
“I think it’s important to recognise the progress we as women have made in what’s actually been a short amount of time. Nevertheless, it’s also a good way to remember there is still some way to go and that progress is ongoing”.
Have you faced any barriers in your career due to being a woman? If so how did you overcome them?
“I got married at a very young age and so I had to juggle both the expectations of being a partner, having a family and my own career ambitions. It meant having to put a lot of things people at my age were able to enjoy on the backburner and prioritising the things I wanted to achieve over all else. On top of that the usual delays with maternity meant I was always the ‘mature student’! But not to worry, I’m making up for lost experiences as we speak (albeit with some wrinkles)”.
What is the most important piece of advice you have been given?
“To not have an ‘end-goal’ – it’s an artificial ceiling. Instead, always question what next? How can I be better?”.
Is there anyone that inspires you in your career?
“My maternal grandmother. She was widowed at the age of 26 with 4 kids, the youngest being 6 months old and one of whom later developed Polio and has had severe mobility issues ever since. Despite this, she never re-married, opened up her own school where she became headmistress and I have never in my life seen her without a smile. Her approach has always been of gratitude for the things she has and never a longing for what she doesn’t”.
Why do you think diversity and inclusion in the workplace is important?
“I believe diversity and inclusion means we as individuals are able to grow; from learning about the people around us and more importantly to appreciate the differences that make us unique”.
If you could have dinner with three inspirational women, dead or alive, who would they be?
“Amal Clooney (I find her to be mysterious and yet graceful), J.K. Rowling (so can deep dive into her Harry Potter mind) and Marilyn Monroe (I want to know what she was like beyond the image she created for society and what made her tenacious)”.