HEATHER DENNY

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

International Women’s Day provides dedicated time to focus on celebrating women’s achievements, raise awareness about discrimination and take action to drive gender parity.

What is your proudest achievement while working in schools?

The biggest thing I have proudly achieved is to be a mother as well as a leaderwhich is no easy task! Being a parent has made me a better teacher because it has given me a deeper understanding of what parents care about, what their daily challenges are and what a complex job it can be!

The Inspiration Trust has a plethora of female leaders in positions of influence that serve as great role models. They are so inspirational, and many have inspired me to realise that leadership and motherhood can go hand in hand.

By working in an environment where equality and diversity is valued it has helped our workplace to generate broader societal impacts on pay equity, changing workplace policies in ways that benefit both men and women, and attract a more diverse workforce.

Which women inspire you and why?

Frida Kahlo has been an inspiration to me since childhood. Her strength to overcome her obstacles and to aid women in their journey to defy stereotypes by making a lasting impact on our world makes her a truly inspiring figure.

Her determination to come out on top despite her severe circumstances demonstrated Kahlo’s tough mentality. In her era, women were treated as less than men, but even in a male dominated field, Kahlo asserted her position as a famed artist.

Her famous unibrow was a choice that she was very aware of. It symbolised Kahlo’s boldness. She was not afraid of the opinions of others, because she was strong. Kahlo had a confidence that I desire to have myself.

She broke societal expectations, just by simply being her true self. Not caring for the opinions of others, this empowered me and continues to do so today.

Her passion and commitment to the art she created along with her drive to create and make the world better for other people displays Frida Kahlo’s true heroism.

Which women inspire you and why?

Malala Yousafzai is the fearless young lady who risked her own life to promote what she felt was right. Malala was shot after refusing to adhere to the ban on education from the local Taliban in Pakistan. She went on to tell her story of inner courage and need to make change not for herself but for a whole community of young women.

What is your proudest achievement while working in schools?

I think the overall progress I have made; I started as an MSA over twenty years ago, worked and studied hard, volunteered at every opportunity trying to gain experience all alongside bringing up my son on my own. I wanted to evidence to my son that you can do anything in life you want to but it takes hard work and commitment.

I am also proud of the difference we have made to people’s lives. I think of the many families whose lives have been changed for the better by initiating processes and conversations, or how simply that time has made a difference either by helping them feel safe or reduce their feelings of sadness and worry. A specific case would undermine the impact of the many.

What made you want to work in schools?

I felt my own early adult experiences made me reflective and empathetic towards working with families and young people that perhaps did not have the supportive family I had, and this exposed me to an extensive level of first hand insight. I felt I had the strength of character to challenge, support and get the best possible help for our young people and wanted to make a difference to the community that I grew up in.